Therapy |
Panel’s findings |
Diet modification |
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
Selenium supplements
Vitamin C supplementation
Vitamin C and E supplementation combined
Oral magnesium supplements
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Dietary salt |
Selenium supplements and magnesium supplements (in people who were deficient in magnesium) were thought to be possibly effective in improving symptoms, but not breathing capacity, in people with asthma. Of the others, on current evidence omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) are probably ineffective as treatment for asthma and lactobacillus is possibly ineffective. There was no consistent evidence about the others.
Please note: At high doses, some vitamin and mineral supplements may cause side effects such as foetal abnormalities and toxic effects. Please check the supplement with your doctor or pharmacist. There is also a brochure on Asthma and Diet in Early Childhood in this range of brochures.
|
Physical therapies |
Chiropractic
Massage
Swimming
Physical training |
Chiropractic is probably ineffective for asthma and physical training is possibly ineffective. There is no consistent evidence about the effectiveness of the other treatments. |
Homeopathy |
| Remedies derived from plants and minerals, given in extremely diluted forms according to individual patient needs |
Possible beneficial effects shown for breathing capacity, and a reduction in medication required, but no clear evidence of effectiveness for asthma symptoms.
Please note: products should be carefully selected and preferably carry an AUST L number.
|
Traditional Chinese and
Japanese herbal medicines |
| Herbal medicines derived from plants or plant substances, usually prescribed on an individual basis |
A number of specific therapies were reviewed. Several of these are possibly effective in improving breathing capacity in people with asthma. However, there is no evidence of beneficial effects on asthma symptoms or on the requirement for other asthma medication.
Please note: side effects and interactions with other medicines reported for some herbs. Please check herbal medicine with your doctor or pharmacist. Products should be carefully selected and preferably carry an AUST L or AUST R number.
|
Traditional Ayurvedic
(Indian) medicines |
| Herbal medicines derived from plants or plant substances, usually prescribed on an individual basis |
Several of these therapies are possibly effective in improving breathing capacity in people with asthma and some are possibly effective in relieving asthma symptoms. One, Tylophora indica, is probably effective in reducing asthma symptoms. Please note: side effects and interactions with other medicines reported for some herbs. Please check herbal medicine with your doctor or pharmacist. Products should be carefully selected and preferably carry an AUST L or AUST R number. |
Buteyko breathing
technique |
| System of breathing exercises focusing on nasal route of breathing, hypoventilation and avoidance of deep breaths |
Short-term studies in adults show that it is probably effective in reducing asthma symptoms and reducing the amount of medication required. However, there is no evidence of effect on breathing capacity in people with asthma. |
Yoga |
| Ancient Indian practice using physical postures, discipline of breathing, and concentration during practice |
No consistent evidence of beneficial effects in people with asthma. |
Breathing exercises |
| Various techniques |
Possible beneficial effects on breathing capacity and medication requirement. No evidence of effect on asthma symptoms. |
Acupuncture |
| Laser or fine needles used to puncture the skin at defined points |
No consistent evidence of beneficial effects in people with asthma. Please note: some side effects have been reported. Care should be taken when selecting a therapist. |
Hypnotherapy |
| Creating a trance-like state |
No consistent evidence of beneficial effects in people with asthma. |
Ionisation |
| Instrumentally boosting the positive and negative ion content of the air |
Probably ineffective in reducing asthma symptoms and the amount of medication required. Please note: Ionisation has been reported to worsen exercise-induced asthma. |
Meditation |
| Techniques used to calm the mind and body |
Possibly effective on breathing capacity for people with asthma. No evidence of effects on asthma symptoms or medication requirement. |
Music therapy |
| Use of interactive music-making as a therapy to address individual emotional and developmental needs |
Possibly beneficial on asthma symptoms. No evidence of benefit for breathing capacity or medication requirement. |
Osteopathy |
| Physical manipulative therapy used to adjust misalignments of the muscles, joints and bones |
No consistent evidence of beneficial effects in people with asthma. Care should be taken when selecting a therapist. |
Reflexology |
| Application of pressure, usually to the feet, to produce therapeutic effects on other parts of the body |
No consistent evidence of beneficial effects in people with asthma. Care should be taken when selecting a therapist. |
Speleotherapy |
| A therapeutic measure which involves spending time in the pure underground air of caves or salt mines |
Possible beneficial effects on breathing capacity and medication requirement. Results achieved may vary from cave to cave. |
Relaxation therapy |
| Techniques to reduce anxiety, tension and stress |
Probably ineffective in reducing asthma symptoms and the amount of medication required. May be of benefit for those with asthma worsened by anxiety. Has also been demonstrated to be useful in acute attacks. |
In many cases the panel concluded that there was insufficient evidence to decide whether the therapy was likely to be effective, or that the available evidence was inconsistent. In other cases there was some evidence that the treatment was effective or, alternatively, that the treatment was ineffective. However, often the available evidence was fairly weak or there was conflicting evidence. Therefore, the panel classified treatments as either “possibly” or “probably” effective (or ineffective). Some of the findings are summarised in the following table. More information may be available from your doctor, the National Prescribing Service Medicines Line or other contacts at the end of this brochure.
