 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Anna-leila Williams, PA-C, MPH1, Sandeep Bansal, MS IV2, Alyse Behrman, MPH1, Susan Pataky, ND III3, and David L. Katz4. (1) Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418, 203-732-1265, anna-leila.williams@yalegriffinprc.org, (2) School of Medicine, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, (3) School of Naturopathic Medicine, University of Bridgeport, 60 Lafayette Street, Bridgeport, CT 06601, (4) Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8034
This presentation will describe a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of a yoga and breathwork intervention for improving clinical indices and quality of life for adult patients with mild to moderate asthma. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the study began October 2001 and will conclude September 2002, with a projected total enrollment of 66. Subjects are recruited from the general population, primary care centers, and pulmonary clinics in Connecticut. Random assignment is made to either: a yoga intervention that includes both postures and breathwork or a stretching control condition. Subjects continue to receive conventional medical care for their asthma symptoms. Outcome measures include the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), medication use, spirometry, symptom diaries, and health care utilization. Despite considerable advances in understanding the pathophysiology of asthma and the corresponding pharmacologic interventions, the incidence, prevalence, and morbidity of asthma continue to rise. The scientific community has given minimal attention to adjuvant interventions, such as yoga and breathwork; however, preliminary results have been promising. Several randomized controlled trials have shown a benefit from yoga postures and/or breathing versus control, but the control in these cases involved no intervention other than usual care. This study advances the knowledge by providing an active control. Preliminary data analysis will be available November 2002.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Asthma, Alternative Medicine/Therapies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.