Breathwork trial found lower distress scores in student paramedics
A structured breathing program improved some self-reported mental health measures, while sleep and overall psychological wellbeing did not show statistically significant changes.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The breathwork group reported lower stress, anxiety and depression scores and greater resilience than controls at the end of the program. Insomnia and psychological wellbeing did not show significant changes. These mixed results suggest possible benefits for selected outcomes in student paramedics, with unequal dropout between groups complicating the interpretation.
The abstract flags unequal dropout between groups without providing the rates. This abstract-based summary therefore cannot assess how attrition affected the results; it also lacks exact between-group score differences.
What researchers found
Stress, anxiety and depression questionnaire scores
After 12 weeks, each score was lower with breathwork than control; exact score differences are not supplied.
What participants practiced
Students followed a structured slow, diaphragmatic breathing program supported by video and guided audio. Researchers assessed mental health symptoms, resilience and wellbeing before and after the program, alongside participants' descriptions of their experiences.
Where results stopped short
The sleep and wellbeing findings were statistically inconclusive, so they do not establish that breathwork has no effect on those outcomes. Participants described benefits for emotional regulation, but also reported difficulties engaging with practice.
The original publication
Examining the Effectiveness of Breathwork to Improve Resilience and Psychological Wellbeing While Reducing Anxiety, Depression, Stress, and Insomnia in Paramedicine Students: A Single-Blind Randomised Controlled Trial.
Little A, Stainer M, MacQuarrie AS et al.
Stress Health · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41787752
- Record checked
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