Novel Integration of Sectional Breathing with Nabho Mudra for Asthma: A Pilot Study

Asthma, which impacts around 262 million individuals worldwide [1], is a condition marked by persistent inflammation of the airways leading to altered breathing mechanics and increased diaphragmatic tension. Meta-analyses indicate a strong link between asthma and the tendency to breathe through the mouth, with odds ratios of 2.46 (95% CI 1.78-3.39) in children/adolescents and 4.60 (95% CI 1.49-14.20) in adults [2]. This pioneering randomized controlled pilot study explores the integration of Sectional Breathing and Nabho Mudra to assess their effectiveness in reducing oral breathing, improving breath-holding time, and optimizing BMI in 20 adults (aged 30–45) with mild to moderate asthma as per GINA 2024 guidelines. Participants were divided into two groups: Group 1 practiced sectional breathing with Nabho Mudra for 15 minutes once daily, while Group 2 practiced the same intervention twice every day. The intervention was conducted 5 days per week, lasting 8 weeks in total. Breath Holding Time (BHT) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Analysis of the collected data was done using a paired t-test with SPSS Version 26. Both groups showcased statistically significant improvements in BHT, with Group 2 demonstrating better outcomes. In Group 1, BHT increased from a pre-intervention mean of 19.6 (SD = 2.9) to a post-intervention mean of 20.7 (SD = 2.7), t (9) = 3.9, p = 0.004. Group 2 improved from a mean of 19.3 (SD = 3.3) before intervention to 23.4 (SD = 1.9) afterward, t (9) = 04.3, p = 0.002. An independent t-test revealed a notable post-treatment difference between the two groups, t (18) = 3.20, p = 0.0120. Additionally, BMI improvements were noted in Group 1, with 1 participant transitioning from the overweight category to the normal weight category. The integration of sectional breathing with Nabho Mudra represents a breakthrough in non-pharmacological asthma management, effectively improving the respiratory functions of those who practice twice a day. This novel intervention promotes nasal breathing over mouth breathing patterns, reduces tension of the diaphragm, enhances pulmonary capacity, and provides additional metabolic improvements.