Breathing Retraining and Laryngeal Control in Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction and Breathing Pattern Dysfunction: A Practical Therapy Model for Clinicians

Objective: Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) and breathing pattern dysfunction (BPD) are common, yet frequently misdiagnosed, contributors to exertional dyspnea, especially in adolescent and young adult athletes. Despite increasing recognition of behavioral interventions as first-line therapy, there is a lack of simple, accessible, and reproducible protocols in clinical settings. This clinical focus article describes a practical, clinician-friendly therapy model that integrates laryngeal control, respiratory retraining, and self-monitoring to treat EILO and BPD across diverse patient populations. Method: The protocol includes a staged framework delivered over three to four individualized sessions by a speech-language pathologist. Key strategies include abdominal and ratio breathing, pursed-lip airflow control, reflexive release techniques (e.g., simulated yawning), and real-time self-monitoring. Therapy is progressively adapted from supine to dynamic contexts, with optional sport-specific application. Structured feedback is triangulated through patient self-report, clinician input, and caregiver or coach reinforcement. Results: Clinical experience suggests that the protocol is feasible, acceptable, and effective in reducing symptoms and improving breathing control in patients with isolated or co-occurring EILO and BPD. Unlike prior protocols, this approach emphasizes accessibility, patient-led practice, and integration into real-life activities, thereby addressing key barriers to long-term adherence and skill retention. Conclusions: This therapy protocol offers a structured, yet flexible, model for managing EILO and BPD using motor learning and behavioral strategies. While promising in clinical application, further validation through randomized trials and outcome measurement is warranted to assess long-term effectiveness and inform broader implementation.