[Which treatments for the hyperventilation syndrome in adults?]

The hyperventilation syndrome is a complex entity whose management is poorly codified. We report a synthesis about the management of adult patients diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome. A systematic literature review has identified fifteen articles dealing, among them three studies about drug treatment and the others about non-pharmacological approaches. Among the last ones, a re-educational approach based on abdominal ventilation and regulation of the ventilatory rate seems and an educative approach seems to be the most effective. Methodological biases did not permit a conclusion on the efficacy of these treatments. Practically, teaching abdominal ventilation and respiratory rate regulation, associated with a personalized therapeutic education, seems to be a pertinent management approach. Other clinical studies should explore this issue.