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BreathworkEvidence & Dosage

Wim Hof, Box Breathing, Pranayama, and autonomic nervous system

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
946
With abstract
49
Meta / Systematic / RCT
122
Highly cited
48
Publication years
1978–2026

Breathwork in the context of Methods

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Top studies on Breathwork

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials.

    Sci Rep2023n=785meta191 influential citations

    Deliberate control of the breath (breathwork) has recently received an unprecedented surge in public interest and breathing techniques have therapeutic potential to improve mental health. Our meta-analysis primarily aimed to evaluate the…

  2. Methods for Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB): A Systematic Review and Guidelines.

    Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback2023n=143Systematic Review137 influential citations

    Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB) has been widely used to improve cardiovascular health and well-being. HRVB is based on breathing at an individual’s resonance frequency, which stimulates respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and the…

  3. Effects of Breathing Exercises in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Network Meta-analysis.

    Arch Phys Med Rehabil2024n=197Meta-Analysis66 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to compare and rank the effectiveness of various breathing exercises for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).<h4>Data…

  4. The impact of laughter yoga as a NIC on health parameters in nurses and nursing students: a systematic review.

    BMC Complement Med Ther2024n=10Systematic Review62 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Laughter yoga is a laughter exercise that combines yoga and breathing exercises (Pranayama). Laughter yoga decreases stress and burnout levels, depression and anxiety, salivary cortisol levels. The aim of the research is…

  5. Breathing techniques to reduce symptoms in people with serious respiratory illness: a systematic review.

    Eur Respir Rev2024n=547Systematic Review59 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>In adults with serious respiratory illness, breathlessness is prevalent and associated with reduced health-related quality of life. The aim of this review was to assess the impact of breathing techniques on…

  6. Effect of yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) on airway reactivity in subjects with asthma.

    Lancet (London, England)1990n=18B55 influential citations

    The effects of two pranayama yoga breathing exercises on airway reactivity, airway calibre, symptom scores, and medication use in patients with mild asthma were assessed in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.…

  7. A systematic review and meta-analysis of respiratory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.

    Eur J Neurol2023n=39Meta-Analysis55 influential citations

    Introduction Respiratory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) is common and associated with increased hospital admission and mortality rates. Central and peripheral mechanisms have been proposed in PD. To date no systematic review…

  8. Respiratory muscle training for obstructive sleep apnea: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

    J Sleep Res2024n=13Meta-Analysis54 influential citations

    Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of respiratory muscle training in the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The study protocol was…

  9. Effects of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, diaphragmatic thickness, balance and exercise capacity in people after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Disabil Rehabil2025n=255Meta-Analysis46 influential citations

    <h4>Purpose</h4>To examine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on pulmonary and diaphragmatic function, exercise capacity, balance and quality of life (QOL), in post-stroke individuals.<h4>Methods</h4>A literature search was…

    Finding: The evidence certainty for diaphragmatic function was moderate.

  10. Effectiveness of breathing exercise on the duration of labour: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    J Glob Health2023n=141meta45 influential citations

    BACKGROUND: Prolonged labour intensifies labour pain, and failure to address labour pain may lead to abnormal labour and augments the usage of operative interventions. Prolonged labour is common among women, resulting in maternal…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Breathwork interventions (conscious volitional control/manipulation of breathing) (Minimum total estimated durations of intervention/home practice ranged from 80 to 5625 min) • Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB) protocols (Optimal RF, Individual, Preset-Pace, Referenced) (Varied across studies; common protocol was 10–20 min breathing per session, often daily at home) • Various breathing exercises, including inspiratory muscle training, Chinese traditional fitness exercises, diaphragm breathing, yoga, pursed-lip breathing (Not reported)
Are there safety considerations for Breathwork?
• No adverse events or lasting bad effects were directly attributed to breathwork overall. • A small subgroup in one fast-paced study reported hot flushes, shortness of breath, and/or sweating. • No participants dropped out of the breathwork group due to adverse effects. • No adverse events were reported in the excerpt.

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