Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Breathwork: An Additional Treatment Option for Depression and Anxiety?

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aftanas, L. I., & Golosheikin, S. A. (2005). Impact of regular meditation practice on EEG activity at rest and during evoked negative emotions. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115, 893–909.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, N. B., Blashki, G., & Gullone, E. (2006). Mindfulness-based psychotherapies: A review of conceptual foundations, empirical evidence and practical considerations. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 40, 285–294.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderer, P., Saletu, B., & Pscual-Marqui, R. D. (2000). Effects of the 5-HTIA partial agonist buspirone on regional brain electrical activity in man: A functional neuroimaging study using low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). Psychiatry Research, 100, 81–96.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, D. E. (2001). Respiratory psychophysiology in hypertension research. Behavior Modification, 25, 606–620.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, D. E., & Chesney, M. A. (2002). Gender-specific association of perceived stress and inhibited breathing pattern. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 9, 216–227.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10, 125–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 4, 561–571.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, D. A., Borkovec, T. D., & Hazlett-Stevens, H. (2000). New directions in progressive relaxation training: A guidebook for helping professionals. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, S. R. (2002). What do we really know about mindfulness-based stress reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine, 64, 71–84.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., et al. (2004). Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11, 230–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolton, C. F., Chen, R., Wijdicks, E. F. M., & Zifko, U. A. (2004). Neurology of breathing. Philadelphia: Butterworth Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, D. (2002). Patterns of breathing dysfunction in hyperventilation syndrome and breathing pattern disorders. In L. Chaitow, D. Bradley, & C. Gilbert (Eds.), Multidisciplinary approaches to breathing pattern disorders. London: Churchill Livingstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. P., & Gerbarg, P. L. (2005). Sudarshan kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part II—clinical applications and guidelines. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11(4), 711–717.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cahn, B. R., & Polich, J. (2006). Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. Psychological Bulletin, 132, 180–211.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell-Sills, L., Barlow, D. H., Brown, T. A., & Hofmann, S. G. (2006). Effects of suppression and acceptance on emotional responses of individuals with anxiety and mood disorders. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1251–1263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • da Silva, T. L., Ravindran, L. N., & Ravindran, A. V. (2009). Yoga in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders: A review. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 2, 6–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalgleish, T., & Yiend, J. (2006). The effects of suppressing a negative autobiographical memory on concurrent intrusions and subsequent autobiographical recall in dysphoria. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 115, 467–473.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Denot-Ledunois, S., Vardon, G., Perruchet, P., & Gallego, J. (1998). The effect of attentional load on the breathing pattern in children. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 29, 13–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dhokalia, A., Parsons, D. J., & Anderson, D. E. (1998). Resting end-tidal CO2 association with age, gender and personality. Psychosomatic Medicine, 60, 33–37.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, C. (2000). Rebirthing and breathwork. London: Piatkus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elkins, G., Marcus, J., Rajab, M. H., & Durgam, S. (2005). Complementary and alternative therapy use by psychotherapy clients. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 42, 232–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erecinska, M., & Silver, I. A. (2001). Tissue oxygen tension and brain sensitivity to hypoxia. Respiration Physiology, 128, 263–276.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fokkema, D. S. (1999). The psychobiology of strained breathing and its cardiovascular implications: A functional system review. Psychophysiology, 36, 164–175.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J. (2002). Emotion regulation: Affective, cognitive, and social consequences. Psychophysiology, 39, 281–291.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, P., Niemann, L., Schmidt, S., & Walach, H. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57, 35–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, M. (1960). A rating scale for depression. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 23, 56–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, A. M., & Feldman, G. (2004). Clarifying the construct of mindfulness in the context of emotion regulation and the process of change in therapy. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11, 255–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 169–183.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, G. D., & Friedman, R. (2004). EEG spectral analysis of relaxation techniques. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 29, 245–254.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jain, S., Shapiro, S. L., Swanick, S., Roesch, S. C., Mills, P. J., Bell, I., et al. (2007). A randomised controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 33, 11–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janakiramaiah, N., Gangadhar, B. N., Naga Venhatesha Murthy, P. J., Harish, M. G., Subbakrishna, D. K., & Vedamurthachar, A. (2000). Antidepressant efficacy of sudarshan kriya yoga (SKY) in melancholia: A randomized comparison with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and imipramine. Journal of Affective Disorders, 57, 255–259.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. New York: Dell Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J., Massion, A. O., Kristeller, J., Perterson, L. G., Fletcher, K. E., Pbert, L., et al. (1992). Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 936–943.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kashdan, T. B., Barrios, V., Forsyth, J. P., & Steger, M. F. (2006). Experiential avoidance as a generalized psychological vulnerability: Comparisons with coping and emotion regulation strategies. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1301–1320.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khumar, A. D., Kaur, P., & Kaur, S. (1993). Effectiveness of shavasana on depression among university students. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology, 20, 82–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, R. (2006). Mindfulness-based stress management: Findings from randomized controlled trials. Psychotherapy in Australia, 12, 24–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kjaer, T. W., Bertelsen, C., Piccini, P., Brooks, D., Alving, J., & Lou, H. C. (2002). Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness. Cognitive Brain Research, 13, 255–259.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lalande, L. (2007). Integrative breathwork therapy for depression and anxiety: Treatment manual for individual therapy. Unpublished therapy treatment manual.

  • Leahy, R. L. (2002). A model of emotional schemas. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 9, 177–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luebbert, K., Dahme, B., & Hasenbring, M. (2001). The effectiveness of relaxation training in reducing treatment-related symptoms and improving emotional adjustment in acute non-surgical cancer treatment: A meta-analytical review. Psychooncology, 10, 490–502.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mesulam, M. M. (2000). Behavioral neuroanatomy. In M. M. Mesulam (Ed.), Principles of behavioral, cognitive neurology (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J. M., Fletcher, K. E., & Kabat-Zinn, J. (1995). Three-year follow-up and clinical implication of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders. General Hospital Psychiatry, 17, 192–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minett, G. (2004). Exhale: An overview of breathwork. Edinburgh: Floris Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishikawa, M., Kumakura, Y., Young, S. N., Fiset, P., Vogelzangs, N., Leyton, M., et al. (2005). Increasing blood oxygen increases an index of 5-HT synthesis in human brain as measured using α-[11C]methyl-l-tryptophane and positron emission tomography. Neurochemistry International, 47(8), 556–564.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2000). The role of rumination in depressive disorders and mixed anxiety/depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109, 504–511.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norcross, J. C. (2000). Here comes the self-help revolution in mental health. Psychotherapy, 37(4), 370–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pilkington, K., Kirkwood, G., Rampes, H., & Richardson, J. (2005). Yoga for depression: The research evidence. Journal of Affective Disorders, 89, 13–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Post, R. M. (2000). Neural substrates of psychiatric syndromes. In M. M. Mesulam (Ed.), Principles of behavioral and cognitive neurology. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purdon, C. (1999). Thought suppression and psychopathology. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 37, 1029–1054.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramel, W., Goldin, P. R., Carmona, P. E., & McQuaid, J. R. (2004). The effects of mindfulness meditation on cognitive processes and affect in patients with past depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 28, 433–455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roemer, L., Salters, K., Raffa, S. D., & Orsillo, S. M. (2005). Fear and avoidance of internal experiences in GAD: Preliminary tests of a conceptual model. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 29, 71–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosa-Neto, P., Diksic, M., Okazawa, H., Layton, M., Ghadirian, N., Mzengeza, S., et al. (2004). Measurement of brain regional α-[11C]methyl-l-tryptophane trapping as a measure of serotonin synthesis in medication-free patients with major depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61, 556–563.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, M. S., & Schwartz, N. M. (1996). Problems with relaxation and biofeedback: Assisted relaxation and guidelines for management. In A. M. S. Schwartz (Ed.), Biofeedback: A practitioner’s guide (2nd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Segal, Z. V., Williams, M., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, S. L., Carlson, L. E., Astin, J. A., & Freedman, B. (2006). Mechanisms of mindfulness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62, 373–386.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shea, S. A. (1996). Behavioural and arousal-related influences on breathing in humans. Experimental Physiology, 81, 1–26.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. C. (1988). Steps toward a cognitive-behavioral model of relaxation. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 13, 307–329.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sointu, E. (2006). The search for wellbeing in alternative and complementary health practices. Sociology of Health & Illness, 28, 330–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stetter, F., & Kupper, S. (2002). Autogenic training: A meta-analysis of clinical outcomes. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 27, 45–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sudres, J. L., Ato, P., Fouraste, R., & Rajaona, E. (1994). Breathwork: A corporal mediation therapy? Evaluation trial and initial reflections. Psychologie Medicale, 26, 1362–1368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorleifsdotttir, B., Bjornsson, J. K., Kjeld, M., & Kristbjarnarson, H. (1989). Effects of l-tryptophan on daytime arousal. Neuro-psychobiology, 21, 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wegner, D. M. (1994). Ironic processes of mental control. Psychological Review, 101, 34–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wenzlaff, R. M., Wegner, D. M., & Roper, D. W. (1988). Depression and mental control: The resurgence of unwanted negative thoughts. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 55, 882–892.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zung, W. (1965). A self-rating depression scale. Archives of General Psychiatry, 12(1), 63–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Lloyd Lalande

  2. School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, PO Box 456, Virginia, QLD, 4014, Australia

    Lloyd Lalande

  3. School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia

    Matthew Bambling

  4. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia

    Robert King

  5. School of Psychology, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Roger Lowe

Authors
  1. Lloyd Lalande
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matthew Bambling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Robert King
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roger Lowe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lloyd Lalande.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lalande, L., Bambling, M., King, R. et al. Breathwork: An Additional Treatment Option for Depression and Anxiety?. J Contemp Psychother 42, 113–119 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-011-9180-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-011-9180-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation