Breathing trial: walking measures improved from baseline
A small randomized trial found walking improvements from baseline and some advantages over control, but it did not establish fewer falls.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Both breathing groups improved walking speed and timed mobility from their own starting levels after treatment and at follow-up. Balance confidence, fatigue and selected quality-of-life scores also improved compared with control. The abstract reports limited balance effects and does not establish that adding diaphragm mobilization was superior or that actual falls decreased.
Based on the abstract alone, actual fall reduction cannot be assessed because fall counts are not reported. Details of the control condition and mobilization procedure are also limited.
What researchers found
Walking speed and timed up-and-go performance
Both breathing groups improved significantly after treatment and at follow-up relative to their own baseline; the abstract does not give a specific walking advantage over control.
Which comparisons matter
Walking and timed mobility results compared each breathing group's later scores with its own starting scores. Explicit comparisons with control concerned balance confidence, fatigue and quality-of-life domains covering physical function, pain and general health.
Reading the null results
Balance-test scores did not rise significantly from baseline after treatment. Chair-rise time also showed no significant increase, but that wording leaves its practical meaning unclear. These results do not establish that falls were prevented.
The original publication
The effect of diaphragmatic breathing and diaphragmatic mobilization on physical performance, fear of falling, and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults: A randomized controlled trial.
Nazir S, Mathiyakom W, Tassawar MA et al.
PLoS One · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41490262
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.