Wie is Buteyko

„Beste bewoners van de Aarde, ik ben erg blij, want ik ben er zeker van dat mijn ontdekking het leven op de Aarde zal redden.”
K. Buteyko

Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko is een bekende arts, fysioloog en filosoof van de geneeskunde. De auteur van meer dan 100 wetenschappelijke publicaties op het gebied van de geneeskunde.

Buteyko is op 27 januari 1923 geboren in Oekraine. In zijn schooljaren was hij, net als zijn vader, geïnteresseerd in machines, en daarom ging hij aan het Polytechnisch Instituut in Kiev studeren. Zijn studie werd echter onderbroken door de Tweede Wereldoorlog, toen Buteyko werd opgeroepen in het leger van de Sovjet Unie. Door zijn oorlogservaringen werd hij gemotiveerd om de "meest ingewikkelde machine van allemaal" te gaan bestuderen: het menselijk organisme.

In 1946 werd Buteyko student aan het Eerste Medische Instituut in Moskou (nu genaamd de Medische Academie van Moskou). Tijdens zijn studie had hij veel belangstelling voor de ademhaling. Hij merkte op dat de ademhaling van zieke mensen dieper en intensiever is dan die van gezonde mensen.

In 1952 toen hij net afgestudeerd was en begon als zelfstandig arts te werken, ontstond bij hem het idee dat longhyperventilatie de hoofdrol speelt in de ontwikkeling van een verstoring van de stofwisseling en de verstoring van de immuniteit. Om deze verstoringen te compenseren, ontwikkelt het lichaam beschermende reacties. De symptomen van de veel voorkomende chronische ziekten, zogenaamde "welvaartziekten", zijn in feite pogingen om het innerlijke milieu binnen de cellen van het lichaam onveranderlijk te onderhouden ondanks de veranderingen in hun omgevend milieu.

Sinds 1960 werkte Buteyko als hoofd van het Laboratorium van functionele diagnostiek in het Instituut van Experimentele Biologie en Geneeskunde te Akademgorodok in Novosibirsk, Siberië. Hij heeft vastgesteld dat een tekort aan kooldioxide (CO2) in de longblaasjes de aanzet vormt in het proces van krampachtige vernauwing van bloedvaten (hypertensie) en bronchiën (astma). Het inzicht in dit proces liet hem de behandelingsmethode ontwikkelen die als de Buteyko-methode bekend is geworden.

Buteyko was een eminent, maar controversieel figuur in de Russische geneeskunde. De wetenschappelijke elite respecteerde hem om zijn genialiteit en waarnemingsvermogen. Hij leverde vele belangrijke bijdragen aan de Russische Academie van Medische Wetenschappen en het Russische ruimtevaarts- en atletiek programma. Hij overleed op 2 mei 2003 en liet honderdduizenden dankbare patiënten achter. Door zijn onderwijs, training en begeleiding heeft hij ervoor gezorgd dat uiteindelijk miljoenen mensen een drastische verbetering in hun gezondheid en welzijn ervaren.

In de 90-er jaren werd de Buteyko-methode geïntroduceerd in Australië, Nieuw Zeeland en Groot-Brittannië, de landen met het hoogste percentage astmapatiënten ter wereld.

Wetenschappelijke testen van de Buteyko-methode bij bronchiale astma zijn o.a. verricht: in 2002 te Glasgow, Groot Brittannië en in 2003 in het Gisborne Hospital, Nieuw Zeeland. De onderzoeken demonstreren dat de behoefte aan bronchiënverwijdende medicijnen bij astmapatiënten dankzij de Buteyko-methode al binnen een week gemiddeld met 90% daalt.

Sinds het schooljaar 2007 - 2008 is de Buteyko-methode ingevoerd op de middelbare scholen van Glasgow (Schotland) als een algemeen studieprogramma ter preventie van diverse aandoeningen bij scholieren (bronchiale astma, allergie, frequente verkoudheden, verhoogde psychische opwinding).

“GINA (The Global Strategie for Asthma Managerment and Prevention) 2008” verleent toestemming aan gezondheidsspecialisten in Groot-Brittannië om de Buteyko-methode aan te bevelen, verklarend dat de methode “mag worden beschouwd als hulp om astmasymptomen te beheersen”. GINA rangschikt de klinische onderzoeken naar de Buteyko-methode met een “B” classificatie, dit betekent dat hoog deugdelijke ondersteunende klinische onderzoeken beschikbaar zijn. Geen enkele andere complementaire therapie heeft z’n degelijke bevestiging voor behandeling van astma.


Meer over het leven van Buteyko kunt u hier lezen.


Westerse onderzoeken naar de Buteyko-methode:
1.Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blind randomized trail. Simon D Bowler, Amanda Green and Charles A Mitchell, Medical Journal of Australia 1998; 169:575-578
Objective: To evaluate the effect of Buteyko breathing techniques in the management of asthma.
Design: Prospective, blinded, randomized study comparing the effect of Buteyko breathing techniques with control classes in 39 people with asthma. The study was conducted from January 1995 to April 1995.
Participants: Subjects recruited from the community, aged 12 to 70 years, with asthma and substantial medication usage.
Results after applying Buteyko techniques for twelve weeks:
Reliever usage – median reduction of 96% (from daily median of 943ug to 39ug)
Preventer usage – median reduction of 49% (from daily median 1500ug to 765ug)
Minute Volume – median reduction of 4.6L/min (from 14 L/min to 9.6 L/min)
The relative reduction in reliever medication use in the Buteyko group was related to the proportionate reduction in minute volume. (r=0.51; P=0.04)
Results after applying placebo breathing techniques – Control group:
Reliever usage – median reduction of 5% (from daily median of 843ug to 801ug)
Preventer usage – no median reduction
Minute Volume – median reduction of 0.9L/min (from 14.2 L/min to 13.3 L/min)
Conclusion: Those practising Buteyko breathing techniques reduced hyperventilation and their use of reliever medications (beta2 agonists ) and preventers (inhaled steroids). Participants in the Buteyko group showed improved scores for Quality of Life whilst the Control group saw no significant improvements in either hyperventilation, medication usage or Quality of Life.

2. Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention. Patrick McHugh, Fergus Aitcheson, Bruce Duncan, Frank Houghton Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association, 12 December 2003, vol 116 No 1187
Abstract: Aim To assess the impact of the Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) on medication use in asthma.
Methods: A blinded randomised controlled trial comparing BBT with control was conducted in 38 people with asthma aged between 18 and 70. Participants were followed for six months following the intervention. Medication use and indices of ventilatory function were recorded.
Results: No significant change in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) was recorded in either group. The BBT group exhibited a reduction in inhaled steroid use of 50% and ß2-agonist use of 85% at six months from baseline. In the control group inhaled steroid use was unchanged and ß2-agonist use was reduced by 37% from baseline. Investigator contact between the two groups was equal. There were no adverse events recorded in either group. https://buteyko.info/wpcontent/uploads/2017/12/gisborne_buteyko_trial_NZMJ_12.12.03_.pdf

3. Health Education: Does the Buteyko Method make a difference, Jill McGowan, Education and training consultant in Asthma Management. Thorax vol 58, suppl iii, page 28, December 2003
Background: Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Buteyko Institute Method of Breathing Retraining can reduce asthma symptoms, medication and improve quality of life. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of this method for individuals being treated for asthma.
Methods: 600 adult patients aged 18-69 years diagnosed and currently treated asthma with a symptom score > 1 per day was recruited to a randomized blinded controlled trial. This tested active Buteyko (Group 1) with asthma nurse education (Group 2) and continued medication control (Group 3). The main outcome measures were quality of life (SF36), activity, asthma symptoms, and medication reduction. Asthma symptoms and activity were measured by diary card scoring from 0-3.
Results: of all who commenced study, data were available on 500 after 6 months, 384 after 12 months, and 384 after 24 months.
Asthma Symptoms: Buteyko Group – decreased by 98%, 6 months and remained same at 12 months – Placebo and Control Groups – no significant change.
Reliever Medication: Buteyko Group – decreased by 98%, 6 months, and remained same at 12 months – Placebo and Control Groups – no significant change.
Preventer Medication: Buteyko Group – decreased by 92%, 6 months and remained same 12 months – Placebo and Control Groups – no significant change.
Reliever Oral Preparations: Buteyko Group – decreased by 100%, 6 months and remained same at 12 months – Placebo and Control Groups – no significant change.
Preventer Oral Preparations: Buteyko Group – decreased by 96%, 6 months and remained same at 12 months – Placebo and Control Groups – no significant change.
Instance of cold or viral infection: Buteyko Group – decreased by 20%, 6 months and remained same at 12 months – Placebo and Control Groups – no significant change.
The participants involved in this study all experienced significant improvement in asthma with a reduction in symptom, medication and improvement in quality of life. This was maintained over the duration of the study and is similar to the results of Brisbane Study (Bowler S 1998 BMU) and unpublished study by Dr G Spence G.P. in Shettleston Health Centre (Spence. G.).

4. A Randomised Controlled Trail of the Buteyko Technique for Asthma Management, Robert L. Cowie, Diane P. Conley, Margot F. Underwood, Patricia G. Reader, Respiratory Medicine May 2008 (Vol. 102, Issue 5, Pages 726-732)
One hundred and twenty nine adults 18-50 years of age with asthma were randomised, 65 to the Buteyko group and 64 to the control group. The control group was trained by a physiotherapist in breathing and relaxation techniques. One hundred and nineteen of the participants were followed up at six months.
‘This randomised clinical trial showed that both the Buteyko and control (physiotherapy) interventions produced a favourable outcome in that over 70% of the participants enjoyed asthma control 6 months after completing the intervention. In addition, the subjects in the Buteyko group were able to significantly reduce their daily doses of inhaled corticosteroid.’

5. Study explains success of Buteyko, Megan Howe, Australian Doctor, 11 May 2001
A study showing more than one quarter of asthmatics have symptoms of dysfunctional breathing might explain the anecdotal success of the Buteyko method in treating asthma, researchers say.
The UK study found many people diagnosed with asthma might benefit from breathing retraining.
Researchers asked 219 patients with asthma to complete a questionnaire assessing 16 symptoms associated with abnormal breathing, such as fast or deep breathing, shortness of breath, tingling in fingers and hands, and anxiety.
One-third of women and one-fifth of men had a complex of abnormal breathing symptoms suggestive of hyperventilation syndrome or dysfunctional breathing, according to the findings in the BMJ (5 May).
“There may be an important unrecognised diagnostic overlap between asthma and dysfunctional breathing,” the researchers wrote.
The study found many patients might be experiencing avoidable morbidity because of inappropriate diagnosis and ineffective treatment.
And it suggested the findings might explain the reported success of the Buteyko method, which claims to treat asthma by retraining the breathing pattern to correct hyperventilation. Associate Professor John Wilson, director of the Australian National Asthma Campaign, said it was difficult to screen patients for dysfunctional breathing and it may be misdiagnosed as asthma.
Professor Wilson, from the department of respiratory medicine at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, said asthma should not be diagnosed by history and physical examination alone.
The best diagnostic tools were objective assessments of airflow, such as spirometry or peak expiratory flow rate, where there was a change of at least 15% in PEFR before and after exercise.
However, there was likely to be significant crossover between asthma and dysfunctional breathing.
Breathing training, which was available through pulmonary rehabilitation clinics, could often help patients understand and cope better with the symptoms of both conditions, he said.

6. Prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in patients treated for astma in primary care: a cross sectional survey, M Thomas, RK McKinley, E Freeman, C Foy, British Medical Journal 2001;322:1098-1100 (5 May)
Summary Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in adults with asthma treated in the community.
Design: Postal questionnaire survey using Nijmegen questionnaire
Setting: One general practice with 7033 patients.
Participants: All adult patients aged 17-65 with diagnosed asthma who were receiving treatment.
Main outcome score: Score greater than or equal to 23 or Nijmegen questionnaire.
Results: 227/307 patients returned completed questionnaires; 219 (71.3%) questionnaires were suitable for analysis. 63 participants scored greater than or equal to 23. Those scoring greater than or equal to 23 were more likely to be female than male (46/132 (35%) v 17/87 (20%), P=0.016) and were younger (mean (SD) age 44.8 (14.7) v 49.0 (13.8), P=0.05). Patients at different treatment steps of the British Thoracic Society guidelines were affected equally.
Conclusions: About a third of women and a fifth of men had scores suggestive of dysfunctional breathing. Although further studies are needed to confirm the validity of this screening tool and these findings, these prevalences suggest scope for therapeutic intervention and may explain the anecdotal success of the Buteyko method of treating asthma.

7. A report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ, for the United States Institute of Health (NIH) finds Buteyko delivers substantial reductions in symptoms and medication usage for asthmatics.This study concluded that the Buteyko Method of breathing retraining produced “benefits in terms of reduced symptoms and bronchodilator usage” for people suffering with asthma. https://buteyko.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NIH_Breathing_techniques_for_asthma_study_sept_2012.pdf


8. A comprehensive survey on breathing retraining for sleep apnoea This survey assessed over 11,000 people with sleep apnoea who completed the Buteyko method of breathing retraining. The majority of the participants improved their sleep quality and reduced symptoms associated with sleep apnoea. https://buteyko.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Sleep_Apnoea_and_Breathing_Retraining_Report_May_2012.pdf


9. Clinical Review: Sleep apnoea – A survey of breathing retraining. The Australian Nursing Journal, 2012. It presents the clinical experience of Buteyko practitioners treating breathing retraining to sleep apnoea clients. Around 80% of clients using CPAP machines to help them breathe at night were able to crease using them, clients also experienced a reduction in snoring and low energy levels during the day. https://buteyko.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/OSA_article_2012.pdf