Yoga-Based Breathing Exercises in a Salt-Cave Environment Versus a Standard Clinical Setting in Smokers

This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether performing the same yoga-based breathing exercise program in a salt-cave environment produced different respiratory, functional, physical activity, and quality-of-life outcomes compared with the same program performed in a standard clinical setting in adult smokers. Sixty adult smokers were randomized to either a salt-cave group or a control group. Both groups received a physiotherapist-supervised yoga-based breathing exercise program for 6 weeks, twice weekly, in 50-minute sessions. The intervention content, frequency, duration, and physiotherapist supervision were identical in both groups; the only planned between-group difference was the intervention setting. Spirometric outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Functional exercise capacity, physical activity, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and week 6.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 65 years * Voluntary participation and written informed consent * Ability to ambulate and cooperate with assessments * Literacy * Daily smoking for at least the previous 12 months * Body mass index below 30 kg/m² Exclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 65 years * Voluntary participation and written informed consent * Ability to ambulate and cooperate with assessments * Literacy * Daily smoking for at least the previous 12 months * Body mass index below 30 kg/m² Withdrawal Criteria * Participant request to discontinue * Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy * Occurrence of a sports-related injury during assessments