Systematic review/meta-analysis of mind-body interventions for cancer-related dyspnea; included qigong, yoga, and combined breathing/relaxation techniques.
Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep Breathing Exercises is a breathing or nervous-system regulation practice used as supportive care for stress, anxiety, breathlessness, sleep, fatigue, autonomic balance, and coping during cancer treatment or recovery. In cancer care, it should be evaluated by evidence level, intended use, safety, interactions, and whether it is being used as conventional treatment, supportive care, an experimental adjunct.
Systematic review/meta-analysis examining breathing exercises for anxiety and depression in cancer patients.
NCI overview explaining that cancer patients may use CAM to cope with treatment side effects, comfort themselves, or try to treat cancer, and that CAM should be discussed with the care team. Used to frame grounding as supportive rather than curative.
RCT comparing Wim Hof Method-style breathing/cold exposure with slow breathing/warm showers in women with high stress/depressive symptoms.
Meta-analysis of 11 RCTs with 1429 lung cancer patients; breathing exercises were associated with reduced postoperative pneumonia and improved pulmonary function.
Systematic review of breathing exercise interventions for anxiety and stress in adults.
Systematic review/meta-analysis on breathing exercises after lung cancer surgery.
Randomized trial comparing breathing/airway clearance approaches in perioperative lung cancer patients.
Systematic review of mind-body therapies for cancer-related pain, including mindfulness, hypnosis, yoga, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, Qigong, Tai Chi, and meditation.
Pilot study describing Wim Hof breathing as hyperventilation followed by breath-holds and evaluating acute performance effects.
Randomized endotoxemia study in healthy volunteers trained in meditation, cyclic hyperventilation/breath retention, and cold exposure; showed acute autonomic and cytokine changes.
Review/case discussion of Buteyko breathing technique in asthma symptom control.
Review of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga breathing mechanisms and clinical applications for stress and mental health.
Randomized controlled trial of Buteyko breathing in asthma showing reduced medication use but no significant FEV1 change.