Efficacy of Online Conscious Connected Breathwork in Reducing Symptoms of Anxiety: A Quantitative Study
Richard Lawrence Blake
Research Square December 13, 2024 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5321484/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | True-experimental design (pretest-posttest randomized comparison) |
|---|---|
| Duration | Six weekly 90-minute group sessions |
| Measures | Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (ZAS) |
| Topics | Anxiety Breathwork |
| Key findings | Conscious connected breathwork reduced anxiety symptoms by a mean of 10.56 points on the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, compared with a 1.89-point reduction in the waitlist control group, a significant difference with a large effect size. The authors propose CCB as an effective, low-cost, accessible intervention and describe the study as the first to test it in an online environment. |
Abstract
Abstract Amidst the growing prevalence of anxiety disorders and the limitations of existing treatments, this research paper posits that we need to expand treatment options rather than simply to include more people in therapy or on medication. The popularity of breathwork has grown enormously but is still in the process of creating a robust body of evidence to validate its utility. This research employs a true-experimental design to compare pretest and posttest measures of anxiety utilizing the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (ZAS) between a breathwork group and a control group. The breathwork group participated in six weekly group sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, while the control group was placed on a waitlist. The study’s results are significant with a large effect size, as CCB reduced anxiety symptoms by a mean of 10.56 points on the ZAS compared to the control group’s reduction of just 1.89. This substantial difference highlights the potential of CCB as an effective, low-cost, and accessible intervention for anxiety. Furthermore, this study pioneers the investigation of the effectiveness of CCB in an online environment, offering insights into the adaptability and potential broader application of breathwork therapies. This research supports the integration of CCB into mainstream mental health practices, addressing the increasing demand for effective mental health treatments.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on breathwork, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity Frontiers in Human Neuroscience October 9, 2018
- Holotropic Breathwork: The Potential Role of a Prolonged, Voluntary Hyperventilation Procedure as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine September 1, 2007
- Effects of conscious connected breathing on cortical brain activity, mood and state of consciousness in healthy adults Current Psychology September 8, 2023
- A Practitioner’s Guide to Breathwork in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Journal of Mental Health Counseling 2020
- An experience with Holotropic Breathwork is associated with improvement in non-judgement and satisfaction with life while reducing symptoms of stress in a Czech-speaking population Journal of Psychedelic Studies December 15, 2021
and 2 more in the library