Breathwork: An Additional Treatment Option for Depression and Anxiety?
Lloyd Lalande, Matthew Bambling, Robert A. King, Roger Lowe
Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy June 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1007/s10879-011-9180-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Breathwork Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychotherapy Respiration Somatic |
| Key findings | Argues that breathwork's mental health claims currently rest on anecdotal clinical evidence, but reports qualified support for the theoretical assumptions of a three-component Integrative Breathwork Therapy model and its possible utility in treating anxiety and depression. Concludes that further research on specific efficacy may yield a useful additional treatment option with a different process of change from existing treatments. |
Abstract
Breathwork is an increasingly popular experiential approach to psychotherapy based on the use of a specific breathing technique, however, claims of positive mental health outcomes rely on anecdotal clinical evidence. To ascertain the likely efficacy of breathwork this review clarifies the approach and its theoretical assumptions and examines relevant empirical research relating to breathing inhibition, suppression of inner experience, and possible neurological and physiological effects. Additionally, research into mindfulness-based psychotherapy and yoga breathing-based interventions with comparable features to breathwork are examined. Findings suggest qualified support for the key theoretical assumptions of a three component breathwork model, referred to as Integrative Breathwork Therapy (IBT), and its possible utility in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Further research aimed at exploring specific efficacy of this approach for these disorders may yield a useful additional treatment option utilising a different process of change to existing treatments.