BREATHING TECHNIQUES for HYPERVENTILATION SYNDROME, PANIC ATTACKS and ASTHMA
Anderson B, Ley R (2001) Dyspnea during panic attacks. Behav Modification, 25, 546-54
www.ingenta.com/isis/searching/ExpandTOC/ingenta;jsessionid=62u9ros1m3iss.circus?issue=pubinfobike://sage/j246/2001/00000025/00000004&index=4
• a large majority of people with panic attacks suffer dyspnoea

Bastow V (1999) Buteyko method or modulation of breathing pattern: just how different are they in managing hyperventilation? J ACPRC, 32, 29-30
• discussion of similarities

Bastow V (2000) Hyperventilation syndrome and physiotherapy – a retrospective audit. J ACPRC, 33, 19
• audit on the subjective and objective benefits of physiotherapy

Bonn (1984) Enhanced adaptive behavioural response in agoraphobic patients pretreated with breathing retraining. Lancet, 2, 665-9

Bradley D (2007) Hyperventilation Syndrome, Kyle Cathie, London
• excellent book for patients

Burton CD (1993) Hyperventilation in patients with recurrent functional symptoms. Br J Gen Pract, 43, 422-5.

Chaitow L, Bradley D (2002) Multidisciplinary Approaches To Breathing Pattern Disorders. Churchill-Livingstone.
• osteopathic approach

Chevalier B, Schwartzstein RM (2000) Hyperventilation syndrome: Insights into a puzzling disorder. J Respir Dis, 21(9) 569-574
• overview of symptoms and diagnosis, with recommended treatment of breathing retraining and psychological therapy.

Chin K (1997) Hypoxaemia in patients with hyperventilation syndrome. Q J Med, 90, 477-85
qjmed.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/90/7/477?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1098269428607_81&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&volume=90&firstpage=477&journalcode=qjmed
• hypoxaemia of unknown origin may indicate HVS

Clark DM (1985) Respiratory control as a treatment for panic attacks. J Behav Ther & Exp Psychiat, 16, 23-30.
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V5V-45X008K-43&_user=10&_handle=B-WA-A-A-WW-MsSAYWW-UUW-AUECZZCAVW-AUEBWVCEVW-CYAUAADAE-WW-U&_fmt=summary&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F1985&_rdoc=6&_orig=browse&_srch=%23toc%235796%231985%23999839998%23318160!&_cdi=5796&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=2eeb02ae0aac84d82f642fbebdad5c32
• re-attribution and respiratory control showed substantial reduction in panic attacks within 2 weeks

Cowley (1987) Hyperventilation and panic disorder. Am J Med, 83, 929-37
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TDC-4CMYV65-9N&_user=10&_coverDate=11%2F30%2F1987&_rdoc=1&_fmt=summary&_orig=browse&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=4f91ed3a88e3a20f45360d2143acb51b
• 50% of patients have both disorders
• 10% of visits to physicians are related to HVS

David M (1985) Respiratory control as a treatment for panic attacks. J Behavior Ther Exp Psych, 16, 23-30
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V5V-45X008K-43&_user=10&_handle=B-WA-A-A-WW-MsSAYWW-UUW-AUECZZCAVW-AUEBWVCEVW-CYAUAADAE-WW-U&_fmt=summary&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F1985&_rdoc=6&_orig=browse&_srch=%23toc%235796%231985%23999839998%23318160!&_cdi=5796&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=2eeb02ae0aac84d82f642fbebdad5c32
• long-term reduction in panic attacks achieved by learning to control breathing

DeGuire S et al (1992) Hyperventilation syndrome and the assessment of treatment for functional cardiac symptoms. Am J Cardiol, 70, 673-77.
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T10-4CMB3VT-6H&_user=10&_handle=B-WA-A-A-BU-MsSAYVA-UUA-AUECDCAUDD-AUEBBBAYDD-CYACBDWDC-BU-U&_fmt=summary&_coverDate=09%2F01%2F1992&_rdoc=20&_orig=browse&_srch=%23toc%234876%231992%23999299993%23505549!&_cdi=4876&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=63e4e6cb1484d2d8c3371e49ee77bae1
• up to 90% of noncardiac chest pain is thought to be associated with HVS

Demeter SL (1986) Hyperventilation syndrome and asthma. Am J Med, 81, 989-94
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TDC-4CHHHCR-9&_user=10&_handle=B-WA-A-A-CE-MsSAYZW-UUW-AUECZZDEVV-AUEBWVYDVV-CYAUWECEA-CE-U&_fmt=summary&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F1986&_rdoc=9&_orig=browse&_srch=%23toc%235195%231986%23999189993%23503936!&_cdi=5195&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=6eb4e3257610d22f6f50f7676cd415c0
• asthma has been identified in 80% of patients with HVS

Duncan SR (1987) Hyperventilation syndrome. Hosp Med, 23, 6, 86-98
• ECG changes - non-specific ST-segment and T-wave changes

Enzer (1967) Hyperventilation syndrome in childhood. J Peds, 70, 521-32

Folgering H (1999) The pathophysiology of hyperventilation syndrome. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis, 54(4) 365-72
• mechanism and diagnosis, with recommended treatment of counselling and physiotherapy.

Fontana GA (2010) Downregulation of cough by exercise and voluntary hyperpnea. Lung, 188, 95 (suppl.)
Gardner BN (2004) Hyperventilation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 170, 2, 105 - 106.
ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/full/170/2/105
• overview of possible mechanisms of HVS

Gardner WN (1996) The pathophysiology of HVS. Chest, 109, 516-30
www.chestjournal.org/cgi/reprint/109/2/516.pdf

Gardner WN, Meah MS, Bass C (1986) Controlled study of respiratory responses during prolonged measurement in patients with chronic hyperventilation. Lancet; ii: 826–830.
• end-tidal CO2 can be halved with only a 10% increase in ventilation

Garssen B (1983) Agoraphobia and the hyperventilation syndrome. Behav Res Ther, 21, 643-9
• 60% agoraphobic patients have HVS, and 60% HVS of patients are agoraphobic

Gibson D, Bruton A, Lewith GT, Mullee M (2007) Effects of acupuncture as a treatment for hyperventilation syndrome: a pilot, randomized crossover trial. J Alt Complem Med, 13(1) 39-46
• acupuncture can reduce anxiety and symptoms.

Gilbert C (1999) Hyperventilation and the body. Acc Emerg Nurs, 7, 130-40

Gilbert C (1999) Breathing and the cardiovascular system. J Body Movement Ther, 3, 215-24

Grossman P (1985) A controlled study of a breathing therapy treatment of HVS. J Psychosom Res, 29, 49-58
• breathing retraining improves ventilatory and psychological symptoms

Hammo A-H (1999) Exercise-induced hyperventilation: a pseudoasthma syndrome. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 82, 574-8
• chest discomfort during exercise may be HVS, but may be misdiagnosed as exercise-induced asthma

Han JN (1996) Influence of breathing therapy on complaints, anxiety and breathing pattern in HVS. J Psychosom Res, 41, 481-93
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8V-3W31839-R&_coverDate=11%2F30%2F1996&_alid=194937701&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1&_cdi=5096&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=3f8b8055ba943372a2c6891ece654578
• outcome of breathing retraining - improved Nijmegen questionnaire

Han J, Zhu Y, Li S (2008) The language of medically unexplained dyspnea. Chest, 133, 4, 961-8

Hira HS, Singh A (2009) Significance of upper airway influence among patients of vocal cord dysfunction for its diagnosis: Role of impulse oscillometry. Lung India, 26(1): 5–8
ukpmc.ac.uk/articlerender.cgi?artid=1973255

Holloway EA, West RJ (2007) Integrated breathing and relaxation training for adults with asthma in primary care: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax, 62, 1039-1042
thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/62/12/1039?ijkey=f93f44ad0a05ebac7aa027b4f3882932c2aa9d73&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
• breathing retraining and relaxation ameliorates respiratory symptoms, dysfunctional breathing and adverse mood

Humphriss RL, Baguley DM, Andersson G, Wagstaff S (2004) Hyperventilation in the vestibular clinic: use of the Nijmegen Questionnaire. Clin Otolaryng Allied Sciences, 29(3) 232-7
• 23% of patients seen for vestibular assessment are diagnosed with HVS
• the Nijmegen Questionnaire is quick and easy to administer

Jack S, Rossiter, HB, Pearson MG (2004) Ventilatory responses to inhaled carbon dioxide, hypoxia, and exercise in idiopathic hyperventilation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 170, 11-125.
ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/170/2/118?ijkey=94fb809a4f5fcfaa0992e30d7d0d6d694e189eb6&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
 people with HVS show a sustained hyperventilatory drive
 HV is maintained during exercise, at the resting CO2 "setpoint."
 breath-hold tolerance is attenuated
 dyspnoea during exercise is greater than normal and not ascribable to high ventilation.

Kraft AR (1984) The hyperventilation syndrome. Br J Psych, 145, 538-42.
• relaxation and breathing re-training are the most effective treatments

Malmberg LP, Tamminen K (2000) Orthostatic increase of respiratory gas exchange in hyperventilation syndrome. Thorax, 55, 295-301
thorax.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/55/4/295?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1093112215522_1622&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&volume=55&firstpage=295&resourcetype=1,2,3,4,10&journalcode=thoraxjnl
• when changing from supine to standing, people with HVS have an accentuated increase in ventilation

Maskell N (1999) The value of an intensive physiotherapy course in patients with hyperventilation. ALA/ATS conference, California p.832.
• physiotherapy leads to a near-doubling of breath-holding times

McGarvey LPA, Ing AJ (2004) Idiopathic cough, prevalence and underlying mechanisms. Pulm Pharmacol Ther, 17, 435-9
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WPM-4DS6TVN-2&_coverDate=12%2F01%2F2004&_alid=350471042&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1&_cdi=6994&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=5a528a631f39b35263f5eb6f917e6dd2

McHugh P, Aitcheson F, Duncan B (2003) Buteyko breathing technique for asthma. NZ Med J, 116, 1187, 1-7
www.nzma.org.nz/journal/116-1187/710/
• active group had exercises promoting hypoventilation – steroids  by 50% & β2-agonists  by 85%.
• control group had relaxation and education - β2-agonist  by 37%

Meuret AE (2003) Breathing training for treating panic disorder: useful intervention or impediment? Behavior Modification, 27, 5, 731-54
• literature review

Meuret AE, Wilhelm FH, Roth WT (2001) Respiratory biofeedback-assisted therapy in panic disorder. Behav Mod, 25, 584-605
www.ingenta.com/isis/searching/ExpandTOC/ingenta;jsessionid=35i4mm2q7qnw2.crescent?issue=pubinfobike://sage/j246/2001/00000025/00000004&index=6
• panic symptoms reduced by increasing self-monitored ETCO2 using handheld capnometry

Morice AH (1998) Asthma Update, 56, 44-8.
• includes identifying hyperventilation syndrome

Oh TH, Stueve MH, Hoskin TL (2010) Brief interdisciplinary treatment program for fibromyalgia: six to twelve months outcome. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 89, 2, 115-124.

Osborne CA, O’Connor BJ, Lewis A (2000) Hyperventilation and asymptomatic chronic asthma. Thorax, 55:1016–22
thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/55/12/1016
• mild asthma is associated with reduced arterial and end tidal PCO2.

Pappa LA (1993) Carbon dioxide hypersensitivity, hyperventilation, and panic disorder. Am J Psychiatry, 150, 49-57
• breathing retraining may block a full-blown panic attack

Paulley JW (1990) Hyperventilation. Recenti Progressi Medicina, 82, 9, 594-10

Pitman A (2004) Hyperventilation syndrome. Pulse, 64, 43, 52-8

Pearson MG (2007) Breathing exercises for asthma: panacea or placebo? Thorax, 62, 1033-4.
thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/62/12/1033?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&author1=Pearson&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&volume=62&firstpage=1033&resourcetype=HWCIT
• explanation of the mechanism of hyperventilation and symptoms - hypocapnia, alkalosis, altered levels of ionised calcium, nerve conduction speeds and smooth muscle control, especially of the vessels supplying the brain and heart; reduction in cerebral blood flow by 40%, leads to symptoms such as faintness, dizziness, chest tightness/discomfort and paraesthesia, especially of the hands.

Powell P, Bentall RP, Nye FJ (2001) Randomised controlled trial of patient education to encourage graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome. BMJ, 322, 387-8.
• education and graded exercise leads to substantial improvement

Ringsberg MC (1999) Presence of hyperventilation in patients with asthma-like symptoms but negative asthma test responses. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 103, 601-8
www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=a95539&nav=abs

Sakakibara M (1996) Effect of slowed respiration on cardiac parasympathetic response to threat. Psychosom Med, 58, 32-7
www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/abstract/58/1/32
• slowing the breath reduces anxiety and panic attacks

Settergren G Angdin M, Astudillo R (1998) Decreased pulmonary vascular resistance during nasal breathing: modulation by endogenous nitric oxide from the paranasal sinuses. Acta Physiolog Scand, 163, 3, S1-S29
cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2379639
• nose-breathing releases NO which reduces pulmonary vascular resistance

Singh J (2001) Management of hyperventilation. ACPRC Journal, 34, 50-5
• symptoms, mechanism, evidence for physiotherapy, Buteyko

Stanescu, DC, Nemery B, Veriter C, Marechal C (1981) Pattern of breathing and ventilatory response to CO2 in subjects practicing hatha-yoga. J Appl Physiol, 51, 1625-1629.
jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/51/6/1625
• yoga reduces the ventilatory response to CO2

Strohl KP, Thomas AJ (1998) Breathlessness, anxiety, and respiratory physiology
Psychosom Med, 60, 680-1.
www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/reprint/60/6/680.pdf
• early childhood experiences may modulate respiratory drive
• there is a 2- or 3 or 4-fold variation in respiratory drive in otherwise healthy people
• panic attacks can partly be explained by the ‘suffocation false alarm’ theory.

Thomas S (2004) Buteyko: a useful tool in the management of asthma? Internat J Ther Rehab, 11, 10, 476-9
• evidence to support strategies aimed at reducing total ventilation

Thomas M, McKinley RK, Freeman E (2003) Breathing retraining for dysfunctional breathing in asthma. Thorax, 58,110-15
thorax.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/58/2/110#R19
• asthmatics with HVS symptoms show improved quality of life following physiotherapy

Thomas M (2001) Prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in patients treated for asthma in primary care. BMJ, 322, 1098-1100
bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/322/7294/1098?ijkey=3fba1671edb4e808321c7f7a567d72e0d71e031e&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
• a third of women and a fifth of men with asthma score over 23 on Nijmegen Questionnaire

Timmons BH, Ley R (1994) Behavioral and Psychological Approaches to Breathing Disorders. Plenum Press, London

Trooster T (1997) Peripheral muscle weakness and deconditioning commonly occur in patients with HVS. Eur Resp J, 10, 72s

Tweeddale PM, Rowbottom I, McHardy GJR (1994) Breathing retraining. J Psychosom Res, 38, 11-21

Tweeddale PM, Rowbottom I, McHardy GJR (1994) Breathing retraining: effect on anxiety and depression scores in behavioural breathlessness. J Psychosom Res, 38, 11-21
• 3-14 weeks of treatment improves symptoms, capnography, anxiety and depression

Vertigan AE (2007) Chronic cough: Behaviour modification therapies for chronic cough Chr Respir Dis, 4, 89-97

Van den Berg AE (2010) Green space as a buffer between stressful life events and health. Soc Sci Med, 70, 8, 1203-1210
www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.brighton.ac.uk/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6VBF-4YCFGFV-F-5&_cdi=5925&_user=128558&_pii=S0277953610000675&_orig=browse&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2010&_sk=999299991&view=c&wchp=dGLzVtb-zSkzV&md5=8263503fd334bfddc7ae8b661a5092cf&ie=/sdarticle.pdf
• evidence of the benefits of green space being available locally

Warburton CJ, Jack S (2006) Can you diagnose hyperventilation? Chronic Respir Dis, 3, 3, 113-115

Walusinski O (2010) The Mystery of Yawning in Physiology and Disease. Karger. ISBN: 978-3-8055-9404-2

Watkin G (2008) Improvement in health status following outpatient chest physiotherapy for patients with refractory chronic cough (poster) Thorax.
Williams (2000) Audit of hyperventilation syndrome. ACPRC Conference poster
• reduced Nijmegen scores and HAD scores in all patients after two sessions and a phone call


ACPRC = Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care
ALA = American Lung Association
ATS = American Thoracic Society
ETCO2 = end-tidal CO2 (related to PaCO2)
HAD = Hospital anxiety and depression
HVS = hyperventilation syndrome
MI = myocardial infarct
Nijmegen Questionnaire = diagnostic for HVS
NO = nitric oxide