Table 3.

Overview of randomized controlled trials investigating the treatment effect of interventions using the relaxation technique «breathing» on chronic pain.

Authors	Sample	Intervention	Control	Outcome measure	Results	Follow up
Kapitza et al. (2010)	Chronic low-back pain (N = 42)	Respiratory bio-feedback (n = 21)	Placebo (n = 21)	Pain intensity, functional status, relaxation index.	Significantly reduced pain intensity.	Significant improvement after three months.
Mehling et al. (2005)	Patients with chronic low-back pain (N = 36)	Breathing (n = 16) vs. physical therapy (n = 12)	Baseline	Pain intensity, physical function.	Significantly reduced pain intensity.	Significant lower pain intensity and physical function after 6 months.
Tekur et al. (2008)	Females with chronic low-back pain (N = 80)	Intensive short-term yoga program (n = 40)	Physical training (n = 40)	Pain intensity.	Significantly reduced pain intensity.	No follow-up.