| Diet modificationE |
Omega-3 fatty
acids (fish oil)(4, 5) |
I: Cochrane Review |
Adults and children with asthma |
2-
|
2-
|
2-
|
Less than 200 subjects have participated in all 6 trials. Various doses |
Toxic effects have been observed with some vitamin and mineral supplements when administered at high dosages |
| Selenium supplements(6) |
II: RCT |
Non-atopic patients with asthma |
1+
|
1-
|
0
|
Single 14 wk trial in 24 pts. Clinical benefit in 6/12 Rx sodium selenite 100µg/d vs 1/12 placebo |
| Vitamin C supplementation(7) |
I: Cochrane Review |
Adults and children with asthma |
0
|
+/-
|
0
|
Two single dose studies (2g and 500mg Vit C) only available for lung function outcome (total N = 46) |
| Vitamin C and E supplementation combined(8) |
II: RCT |
Children living in Mexico City (high ozone environment) |
0
|
+/-
|
0
|
Attenuation of the negative effect of ozone on lung function |
| Oral magnesium supplements(9) |
II: RCT |
People with asthma on low Mg diet |
1+
|
1-
|
1-
|
Dose was
400mg/day |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus(10) |
II: RCT |
Adults with asthma and atopy |
1-
|
1-
|
0
|
Dose was 225g
twice daily |
| Dietary salt(11) |
I: Cochrane Review |
Adults with allergic asthma |
0
|
+/-
|
+/-
|
Small numbers of subjects, no significant effect but wide confidence intervals |
| Physical therapies |
| Chiropractic
(spinal manipulation to treat mechanical dysfunction of the joints with consequent effects on the nervous system)(12, 13)
|
II: RCT |
2 trials in adults and in children with persistent asthma |
2-
|
2-
|
2-
|
Total 124 subjects
in the two trials |
No side effects reported by subjects in
these trials |
| Massage(14)
|
II: RCT |
Children with asthma |
0
|
0
|
1+
|
Parent delivered
20-minute massage v progressive muscle relaxation therapy |
None reported. Reduced anxiety
in massage arm |
| Swimming(15) |
II: RCT |
Children with asthma |
0
|
1-
|
1-
|
One trial in 14 subjects. Indoor swimming 2-3x/week for 3 months. |
|
| Physical training(16) |
I: Cochrane Review |
Adults and children with asthma |
1-
|
2-
|
0
|
Physical training
for 20-30 mins,
2-3 times/week
for 4 weeks.
Various programs.
Cardiopulmonary fitness improved
|
|
| Medicinal therapies: homeopathy |
| Homeopathy (remedies derived from plants and minerals, given in extremely diluted forms according to individual patient needs)(17-19) |
I: Cochrane Review |
Adults and children with asthma on concomitant medication |
+/-
|
1+
|
1+
|
N = 452 |
|
