title: Respiratory rehabilitation: a physiotherapy approach to the control of asthma symptoms and anxiety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to verify the degree of anxiety, respiratory distress, and health-related quality of life in a group of asthmatic patients who have experienced previous panic attacks. Additionally, we evaluated if a respiratory physiotherapy program (breathing retraining) improved both asthma and panic disorder symptoms, resulting in an improvement in the health-related quality of life of asthmatics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Asthmatic individuals were assigned to a chest physiotherapy group that included a breathing retraining program held once a week for three months or a paired control group that included a Subtle Touch program. All patients were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, the Sheehan Anxiety Scale, the Quality of Life Questionnaire, and spirometry parameter measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups had high marks for panic disorder and agoraphobia, which limited their quality of life. The Breathing Retraining Group program improved the clinical control of asthma, reduced panic symptoms and agoraphobia, decreased patient scores on the Sheehan Anxiety Scale, and improved their quality of life. Spirometry parameters were unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breathing retraining improves the clinical control of asthma and anxiety symptoms and the health-related quality of life in asthmatic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata André
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Laurino
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barnabé
authors.forename: Beatriz M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Saraiva-Romanholo
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stelmach
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cukier
authors.forename: Maria do Patrocínio T
authors.initials: Mdo P
authors.lastname: Nunes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult