Breathwork

Breathwork Interventions for Adults with Clinically Diagnosed Anxiety Disorders: A Scoping Review

Banushi B, Brendle M, Ragnhildstveit A, et al. · Brain Sciences, 2023

This scoping review looked for clinical studies that used breathwork on its own, without other treatments, for adults formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder under DSM-5 criteria. From 1,081 articles found in three databases, 16 studies were included. Across a range of breathing techniques, the studies reported meaningful improvements in anxiety symptoms. The authors note that dysfunctional breathing is a hallmark of anxiety, yet standard treatments rarely address it, and they discuss protocols that are feasible and accessible for patients. Results on the role of hyperventilation were contradictory in a few studies. As a scoping review, it maps the available research rather than pooling results statistically or rating study quality in depth, so it shows where evidence exists more than how strong it is.

Our summaries describe what each study found. They are not medical advice, and the practices at Halcyon are not a treatment for any condition.