Buteyko Breathing Technique for Exertion-Induced Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (EI-PVFM)

The primary purpose of the current study was to determine the usefulness of Buteyko breathing technique (BBT) in reducing dyspnea in patients with one form of Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (PVFM), exertion-induced PVFM (EI-PVFM), concomitant with hyperventilation. The secondary purpose was to determine whether BBT had an effect on physiological markers of hyperventilation, as speculated by BBT theory: respiratory tidal minute volume (RTMV), end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂), and resting heart rate (HR).

Using a within-subjects, repeated measures group design, 12 participants with EI-PVFM and hyperventilation underwent 12 weeks of BBT, following an initial no-treatment control condition. Outcome measures of PVFM-dyspnea frequency and severity-and of hyperventilation-HR, RTMV, and ETCO₂-were acquired pre- and post-treatment.

Results showed post-treatment decreases in dyspnea severity, HR, and RTMV, as well as increases in ETCO₂. Decreases in dyspnea and RTMV measures remained after correction for alpha inflation.

Findings suggest BBT may be useful for some individuals with EI-PVFM and hyperventilation. The high prevalence of hyperventilation in EI-PVFM found in the current study warrants further investigation.