Mindful Breathing as an Adjunctive Approach to Chronic Low Back Pain Management: A Scoping Review

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common and challenging condition. This scoping review explores the literature on mindful breathing's role in managing CLBP, either alone or alongside physiotherapy. Methods: A thorough database search identified studies on mindful breathing and CLBP. Various study designs, from descriptive to randomized controlled trials, were included. Results: Reviewed studies suggest that mindful breathing can improve body awareness and patients with CLBP. In a randomized controlled trial both mindful breathing and physiotherapy groups reported significant pain reduction (VAS: −2.7 mindful breathing, VAS: −2.4 physiotherapy) and improved quality of life (SF-36*: +14.9 mindful breathing, SF-36: +21.0 physiotherapy). Yu et al. found that combining mindful breathing with core stability exercises yielded superior outcomes (ORR* = 96.67%) compared to core exercises alone (ORR = 73.33%). Conclusions: Mindful breathing holds promise for chronic low back pain management, with studies revealing pain reduction and improved quality of life. Combining it with core stability exercises enhances outcomes. However, standardized protocols are lacking, limiting clinical use. Future research should focus on precise guidelines for integration into practice. Mindful breathing offers a holistic approach to pain management. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common and challenging condition. This scoping review explores the literature on mindful breathing's role in managing CLBP, either alone or alongside physiotherapy. Methods A thorough database search identified studies on mindful breathing and CLBP. Various study designs, from descriptive to randomized controlled trials, were included. Results Reviewed studies suggest that mindful breathing can improve body awareness and patients with CLBP. In a randomized controlled trial both mindful breathing and physiotherapy groups reported significant pain reduction (VAS: −2.7 mindful breathing, VAS: −2.4 physiotherapy) and improved quality of life (SF-36*: +14.9 mindful breathing, SF-36: +21.0 physiotherapy). Yu et al. found that combining mindful breathing with core stability exercises yielded superior outcomes (ORR* = 96.67%) compared to core exercises alone (ORR = 73.33%). Conclusions Mindful breathing holds promise for chronic low back pain management, with studies revealing pain reduction and improved quality of life. Combining it with core stability exercises enhances outcomes. However, standardized protocols are lacking, limiting clinical use. Future research should focus on precise guidelines for integration into practice. Mindful breathing offers a holistic approach to pain management.