Effect of Hatha yoga training on rhinitis symptoms and cytokines in allergic rhinitis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa in response to allergens. There is evidence that yoga can improve personal health and has positive effects on immune function. However, the effects of Hatha yoga training on rhinitis symptoms and cytokines in patients with allergic rhinitis are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Hatha yoga training on rhinitis symptoms and cytokines in allergic rhinitis patients. METHODS: Twenty-seven allergic rhinitis patients were randomized into 2 groups: a control group (CON; n = 14) and a yoga group (YOG; n = 13). The CON group continued with normal activities and the YOG group was required to complete a protocol of Hatha yoga training for 60 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Physiological characteristics, allergic rhinitis symptoms, and cytokine secretions were comparatively analyzed before and after yoga training. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, the YOG group had increased peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and exhibited significantly decreased rhinitis symptoms and nasal blood flow (NBF) compared to pre-test. Moreover, the YOG group had significantly higher nasal secretion of interleukin (IL)-2 than the CON group. CONCLUSION: The present findings demonstrated that 8 weeks of Hatha yoga training had beneficial effects in allergic rhinitis by improved clinical allergic rhinitis and cytokine profiles.

Effects of aerobic exercise and vitamin C supplementation on rhinitis symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Exercise training and vitamin C supplementation have both been recommended as an effective adjuvant treatment in the management of symptoms in patients with many diseases. However, its effects on rhinitis symptoms remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of exercise training alone, and in combination with vitamin C supplementation, on rhinitis symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients. METHODS: Twenty-seven rhinitis patients were randomized into 3 groups: control (CON; n = 8), exercise (EX; n = 9), and exercise combined with vitamin C (EX + Vit.C; n = 10). The exercise training protocol consisted of walking and/or running on a treadmill at 65-70% heart rate reserve for 30 min per session, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The EX + Vit.C group ingested 2,000 mg vitamin C per day. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, both EX and EX + Vit.C groups increased peak aerobic capacity and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and exhibited significantly decreased rhinitis symptoms, nasal blood flow (NBF) and malondialdehylde levels compared to pre-test. Rhinitis symptoms and NBF after nasal challenge with house dust mite decreased significantly in the EX and EX + Vit.C groups. The EX and EX + Vit.C groups had significantly lower nasal secretion interleukin (IL)-4, but higher nasal secretion IL-2 levels, than the CON group. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly confirms that aerobic exercise training significantly improved clinical of allergic rhinitis and cytokine profiles. Nonetheless, with the limited power of small sample size, whether adding vitamin C is any beneficial is not shown. A larger randomized controlled trial is thus warranted.

Acute Effects of Exercise at Different Temperatures on Clinical Symptoms and Nasal Blood Flow in Patient with Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects the nose and is triggered by allergens. However, no research studies have analyzed the acute effect of aerobic exercise at different temperatures in AR patients. This study was to determine the acute effect of aerobic exercise at different temperatures on rhinitis symptoms and nasal blood flow (NBF) in AR patients. Fifteen AR patients aged 18-24 years were randomized in a crossover fashion into two protocols: 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at temperatures of 25 °C and 34 °C. The NBF, rhinitis symptoms, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) variables were measured. During exercise at 25°C, a notable reduction was observed in NBF, nasal congestion, and sneezing in comparison to exercising at 34°C (p < 0.05). The SpO2 demonstrated significant decreases at 34°C compared to exercise at 25°C after 30 minutes post exercise. The rhinitis symptom scores and NBF in both exercise at 25°C and 34°C significantly decreased and PNIF increased during and after exercise compared to before exercise (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both exercising at 25°C and 34°C can contribute to the alleviation of allergic rhinitis symptoms by decreasing rhinitis symptom and NBF. However, exercising in a room at 25°C exhibits a more significant reduction in nasal blood flow, nasal congestion, and sneezing compared to the 34°C setting.

The effect of acute exhaustive and moderate intensity exercises on nasal cytokine secretion and clinical symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa in response to allergens. There is evidence that exercise can significantly improve personal health and has positive effects on immune function. However, the effects of acute exercise on the inflammatory response and clinical symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis are still unclear. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of acute exhaustive and moderate exercises on cytokine levels and clinical symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Thirteen allergic rhinitis patients (AR) and 14 healthy subjects (C) were required to complete two running exercise protocols, which included an exhaustive exercise bout using the Bruce protocol performed to exhaustion and moderate exercise performed at 65-70% HRR for 30 minutes. Physiological characteristics, allergic rhinitis symptoms, and cytokine secretions and serum levels were comparatively analyzed before and after each type of exercise. RESULTS: The total immunoglobulin E levels in the AR group were significantly higher than in C group (p < 0.05). Rhinitis symptoms scores were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after both exhaustive exercise (7.69 to 1.23 points) and moderate exercise (6.46 to 0.53 points) in the AR group. The ratio of interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 (IL-2/IL-4) in nasal secretions after moderate exercise was significantly higher than those after exhaustive exercise in both the C and AR groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate that both exhaustive and moderate-intensity exercise resulted in a significant improvement in the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. However, a significantly enhanced IL-2/IL-4 ratio was found following acute moderate exercise intensity. We propose that moderate-intensity exercise is more effective than exhaustive exercise in enhancing immune function for allergic rhinitis patients.

Effects of Farinelli Breating Exercise on Respiratory Function and Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Farinelli breathing (FB) exercise is a typical breathing exercise used by singers. This study aimed to compare effects of FB exercise and diaphragmatic breathing (DB) exercise on respiratory function and symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Sixteen patients aged 51-80 years with mild or moderate COPD were recruited for this study. They were divided into two groups: DB group (n=8) and FB group (n=8). Both groups received complete breathing exercise training five times per week for 8 weeks. Their respiratory functions, COPD symptoms, cytokine levels, and oxidative stress variables were analyzed during pre- and post-tests. Dependent variables were compared between pre- and post-tests using paired t-tests. An independent t-test was used to compare variables between the groups. Differences were considered significant at p-lt;0.05. RESULTS: The maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores changed significantly in the DB group after the 8-week intervention compared to those at pre-test, whereas force vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, maximum voluntary ventilation, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), MEP, VO2max, CAT score, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde level changed significantly in the FB group at post-test compared to those at pre-test. Moreover, both MIP and MEP in the FB group were significantly higher than those in the DB group. CONCLUSION: FB exercise improved respiratory functions and COPD symptoms of patients with COPD. It might be an alternative breathing exercise in pulmonary rehabilitation programs for patients with COPD.