Assess the effectiveness of holotropic breath work on anxiety among alcohol dependence syndrome patients admitted in selected de-addiction centers
N Saraswathi, S Ganga Lakshmi
International Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences October 1, 2026 DOI: 10.33545/26649187.2026.v8.i10a.220 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pre-test post-test control group study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome admitted to selected de-addiction centres in Tirunelveli District |
| Intervention | Holotropic breathwork |
| Measures | Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale |
| Topics | Addiction Anxiety |
| Key findings | Holotropic breathwork plus routine care was associated with a statistically significant reduction in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores from a pre-test mean of 3.23 to a post-test mean of 1.98 (mean difference 1.25, t = 16.018). The control group's scores also fell (3.23 to 2.00, mean difference 1.23), a change the authors report as not statistically significant. The authors suggest the intervention may be useful as a complementary treatment for anxiety in de-addiction care. |
Abstract
Alcohol Dependence Syndrome is a major health problem that affects the physical, psychological, social, and emotional well-being of individuals. Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome commonly experience psychological problems such as anxiety, which may adversely affect treatment adherence, interpersonal relationships, quality of life, and recovery. Therefore, effective non-pharmacological interventions are important in the comprehensive management of patients undergoing de-addiction treatment. Holotropic breathwork is a structured breathing-based intervention that may help promote relaxation and reduce psychological distress. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of holotropic breathwork on anxiety among patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome admitted to selected de-addiction centres in Tirunelveli District. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of holotropic breathwork on anxiety among patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. A quantitative research approach with a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design was adopted. A total of 80 patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome were selected for the study, with 40 participants assigned to the experimental group and 40 participants to the control group. The participants were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The level of anxiety was assessed using a Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The experimental group received holotropic breathwork in addition to routine care, whereas the control group received routine care. Pre-test and post-test assessments were conducted to determine the change in anxiety levels. The findings of the study revealed that in the experimental group, the pre-test mean anxiety score was 3.23 with a standard deviation of 0.423, whereas the post-test mean anxiety score was 1.98 with a standard deviation of 0.158. The obtained mean difference was 1.25, and the calculated t value was 16.018, which was statistically significant. This indicates a significant reduction in the anxiety score following the administration of holotropic breathwork. In the control group, the pre-test mean anxiety score was 3.23 with a standard deviation of 0.530, whereas the post-test mean anxiety score was 2.00 with a standard deviation of 0.00. The mean difference was 1.23, and the calculated t value was 14.605, which was reported as not statistically significant according to the provided table. The findings suggest that there was a reduction in anxiety scores following the intervention, with the experimental group demonstrating a statistically significant pre-test to post-test change. The study highlights the potential usefulness of holotropic breathwork as a complementary intervention for managing anxiety among patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. The intervention may be incorporated, where clinically appropriate and under proper supervision, along with routine de-addiction care to promote psychological well-being and support recovery.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition | |
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| Mindful attention reduces neural and self-reported cue-induced craving in smokers Treatment-seeking smokers, meditation-naïve, 12-hour abstinent | 2011 | Experimental study | n = 47 |
| DOI-Induced Activation of the Cortex: Dependence on 5-HT2AHeteroceptors on Thalamocortical Glutamatergic Neurons Rat | 2000 | Experimental study | |
| Noribogaine is a G-protein biased κ-opioid receptor agonist. | 2015 | Experimental study with binding experiments, functional assays, and computational simulations |