Systematic reviewindependent cross-checkabstract only checked I-SYS-08 standard review
Slow breathing calms body and mind in short studies
How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing.
Overview
Zaccaro A et al.. Front Hum Neurosci 2018 · PMID 30245619 · DOI 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353
Small studies show more relaxation and heart-rate variability.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Review slow-breathing effects.
- How was the study done?
Systematic review.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
15 studies.
- What was actually found?
Relaxation effects.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Breathing exercises are a harmless relaxation aid.
- What are the study's limitations?
Small studies.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Partial support.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Disease prevention or cure.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Zaccaro A et al.
- Journal
- Front Hum Neurosci
- Year
- 2018
- Identifier
- PMID 30245619 DOI 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353
- Verification
- verified – PubMed esummary + efetch 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated
2. Research question
Psychophysiological effects of slow breathing.
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Systematic review – Systematic review (15 studies, healthy subjects)
- Population
Healthy subjects
- Country
International
- Sample size
15 studies
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Slow breathing <10/min; healthy
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Slow breathing
- Comparator
Various
- Endpoints
HRV, EEG, psychological outcomes
- Statistical methods
Narrative synthesis
5. Actual results
- Results
Slow breathing increased heart-rate variability and respiratory sinus arrhythmia; EEG alpha increased; more relaxation, comfort, vigour; less anxiety, depression, anger.
- Absolute risks
not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
Slow breathing enhances autonomic and psychological flexibility.
6. Strengths
- PRISMA
7. Weaknesses
- Few small studies
- Healthy subjects; no hard outcomes
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- AMSTAR 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- high
- Rationale
Small heterogeneous primary studies.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Short-term physiological/psychological effects only.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Low-certainty support for breathing exercises as relaxation.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
High.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Plausible, low-risk practice; no disease-treatment evidence.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | high |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | indirect |
| Reproducibility | partly replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | mixed |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
15. Linked fact checks
- Deep (slow) breathing is beneficial for health. – Studies supporting the claim
- Daily movement, deep breathing and adequate sleep complement the system. – Studies supporting the claim