Effects of breathing exercise on low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to rigorously evaluate the efficacy of breathing exercises as a non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain and improving functional disability in patients with low back pain. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PEDro for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) related to “Low Back Pain” and “Breathing Exercise” published from 2019 to 2024. A total of 1,158 studies were identified, and after a two-stage screening process by two independent reviewers, 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. Outcome measures included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that breathing exercises significantly reduced pain and improved function in patients with LBP. Studies showed notable improvements in mean VAS and ODI scores in the respiratory muscle training group compared to the control group. Additionally, clinical analysis suggested that breathing exercises enhanced posture, core muscle relaxation, and psychological well-being. Functional recovery was also greater in the experimental groups, with patients reporting better performance in daily activities. Control groups generally showed less improvement, underscoring the potential benefits of breathing exercises as an effective non-drug intervention for managing low back pain. Breathing exercises hold promise as an effective, non-drug treatment for managing LBP by addressing underlying core stability deficits. However, further high-quality, long-term RCTs with standardized protocols are needed to confirm these sustained effects and integrate them into clinical guidelines.