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Patnode CD, Burda BU, Whitlock EP. Future Research Needs for the Comparative Effectiveness of Breathing Exercises and/or Retraining Techniques in the Treatment of Asthma [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2012 Sep. (Future Research Needs Papers, No. 18.)
| Priority level | Research question | Total number of stars |
|---|---|---|
| High | What is the cost-effectiveness of breathing technique interventions compared to usual asthma care? | 8 |
| What is the effectiveness of specific breathing techniques (e.g., the Buteyko breathing method) on other health outcomes (beyond asthma) including sleep apnea, anxiety, panic attacks, rhinitis, sinusitis, allergies, or headaches/migraines? | 7 | |
| Medium | What is the prevalence of hyperventilation in the primary care population? | 5 |
| What are the mechanism(s) by which breathing techniques interventions affect asthma outcomes? | 5 | |
| To what extent does decreased hyperventilation mediate or modify the relationship between specific breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 5 | |
| What is the prevalence of asthma misdiagnosis in the primary care population? | 4 | |
| Does anxiety mediate the relationship between breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 4 | |
| Low | To what extent does anti-inflammatory effects mediate or modify the relationship between specific breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 3 |
| What effects do breathing techniques have on the autonomic nervous system? Do effects on the autonomic nervous system mediate the relationship between breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 2 | |
| To what extent does stress management mediate or modify the relationship between specific breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 2 | |
| To what extent does improved pulmonary function mediate or modify the relationship between specific breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 2 | |
| Does the exact respiration rate or depth of respiration matter in producing improvements in pulmonary function? | 2 | |
| What is the etiology of hyperventilation? | 1 | |
| What is the effectiveness or comparative effectiveness of breathing techniques among individuals with comorbid conditions (e.g., depression, heart disease) (with and without asthma)? | 1 | |
| To what extent does increased baroreflex gain mediate or modify the relationship between specific breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 1 | |
| To what extent does endorphin effect mediate or modify the relationship between specific breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 1 | |
| What is the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of acute asthma symptoms? | 1 | |
| What specific evidence-based breathing techniques should school-based asthma education programs (e.g., Open Airways, Power Breathing) incorporate? | 1 | |
| What are the breathing characteristics (e.g., respiratory rate, etc.) of primary care subgroups (e.g., females, older adults, etc.)? | 0 | |
| To what extent does mechanical dilation of airways mediate or modify the relationship between specific breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 0 | |
| To what extent does increased gas exchange mediate or modify the relationship between specific breathing techniques and asthma outcomes? | 0 |