In early 1990s, a group of Russian doctors organized a clinical trial with 7 people infected with AIDS virus. The participants found the Buteyko method very efficient. The table (below) indicates the effects of the Buteyko method on negative symptoms that the participants experienced before the trial.

Here are the translation of the clinical trial and an official letter to the Deputy Minister of Health of Ukrainian SSR
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/Translation

Official report about the clinical trial of the Buteyko method on AIDS patients in KSRIEID
(Kiev Scientific and Research Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases) during the first quarter of 1991
Authors: Frolov AF, Buteyko KP, Novosselov VA, Fedorchenko SV
During the 1st quarter of 1991, the Buteyko breathing method was tried on 7 AIDS virus carriers. Two of them had HIV-infection in the lymphoadenopathic stage. The patients were in the following age groups: 1 person - 5 years old; 5 people - 19-40 years old; 1 person - older than 40. According to the gender, there were 3 women and 4 men. The diagnosis of AIDS was confirmed by enzyme immunoassay and immuno-blotting. Approximate durations of being infected with HIV virus were following: 1 person - 5 years; 3 persons - 2 years; 1 person - 1 year, and 2 persons - 1-4 months. The Buteyko method was accompanied by symptomatic treatment (including vitamins and desensitization drugs), sessions with psychotherapist, while 1 person was simultaneously undergoing the Sartchuk's therapy.

All patients completed 10 day course of the Buteyko method and experienced improvements in their health states: 5 patients on the 2nd or 3rd day of the therapy, and 2 patients on the 5th day of the therapy. In addition, 2 patients experienced disappearance of acute depression and Buteyko neurasthenia on the 2nd day of therapy. The results of the application of the Buteyko method are presented in the following table:

Number Symptom Number of patients

with this symptom

(1983-1990) Effects of the Buteyko Method The required period of time
Reduction Disappearance Reduction Disappearance
1 Headache 5 1 1 2 days 5-6 days
1 Headache 5 1 4 2 days 5-6 days
2 Lightheadedness 2 - 2 - 3 days
3 Emotional instability 4 4 - 2-3 days -
4 Predisposition to crying 3 - 3 - 2-3 days
5 Daytime sleepiness 1 - 1 - 3 days
6 Insomnia 3 - 3 - 2 days
7 Problems with sleep 1 - 1 - 3 days
8 Irritability 5 5 - 2-3 days -
9 Predisposition to temper outbursts 3 3 - 2-3 days -
10 Unfounded fears 4 1 4 4 days 2-3 days
11 Apathy 1 1 - 5 days -
12 Muscle twitching 1 - 1 6 days -
13 Quick mental fatigue 1 - 1 - 7 days
14 Quick physical fatigue 3 2 1 4-5 days 9 days
15 Blurred vision 1 - 1 - 6 days
16 Angina pectoris 5 1 4 1 day 5-6 days
17 Low blood pressure 1 - 1 - 9-10 days
18 Breathlessness during exercise 1 - 1 - 9 days
19 Heartburn 1 - 1 - 4-5 days
20 Charlie's horse 1 1 - 4-5 days -

The results of the Buteyko treatment allow the following preliminary conclusions:
1. The use of the Buteyko method has resulted in positive symptom dynamics.
2. No side-effects or complications have been observed in patients with AIDS during the Buteyko therapy.
3. Regular psychotherapy that had been used earlier proved ineffective, and the condition of four patients even worsened.

As a result of treatment in accordance with the Buteyko method, the following preliminary conclusions can be made:
1. The use of the Buteyko method has resulted in the positive dynamic of the clinical symptoms.
2. No side-effects or complications have been observed in patients with AIDS during the Buteyko therapy.
3. Regular psychotherapy with regular methods, which had been used earlier, proved ineffective, while the health state of four patients even worsened.

Signatures of the trial organizers:
Director of KSRIEID, vice-Academician of Academy of Medical Sciences of USSR, Professor A. F. Frolov
Conductor of the trial K.P. Buteyko, MD
Executive of the trial V.A. Novosselov, MD
Physician of the AIDS Section of the Institute (KSRIEID) S.V. Fedorchenko, MD

Ministry of Health of UKRAINIAN SSR
(KSRIEID) Kiev Scientific and Research Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases named after L. V. Gromashevsky
4, Spusk Stepana Razina, Kiev-038, 252038, Ukraine Tel. 277-37-11
An official letter to the Deputy Minister of Health
of the Ukrainian SSR Mr. V. I. Shestakov
Conclusions about the results of a clinical trial
of the Buteyko method on AIDS patients

As a result of treatment in accordance with the Buteyko method in KSRIEID from January 08, 1991 to March 31, 1991, the following results were confirmed:
1. The use of the Buteyko method has resulted in improvements in clinical symptoms.
2. No side-effects or complications have been observed in patients with AIDS during the Buteyko therapy.
3. It is sensible to continue careful observations and laboratory investigations of AIDS patients and recommend the Buteyko method for further testing.
4. Regular psychotherapy that had been used earlier proved ineffective, and the health state of four patients even worsened.

Signed by Director of KSRIEID, vice-Academician of Academy of Medical Sciences of USSR, Professor A. F. Frolov

/Translated by Artour Rakhimov, PhD
There are two Russian websites where medical doctors practicing the Buteyko breathing retraining method have information about this HIV/AIDS trial.

A note about Soviet medical approbations or trials
The Soviet health care system, for political and social reasons, had always been more centralized than Western ones. Innovations in medicine were usually introduced by the Soviet authorities and health care bureaucracy. New ideas and drugs were often tested in hospitals and research Institutes, which provided higher authorities with reports about the results. In the West, as we know, results of scientific studies or trials are usually published in journals. While the Soviet approach was different, the reliability of their information was comparable. Directors, managers and project leaders of corresponding organizations and departments put their signatures to official reports about such Soviet trials and their approbations. These people were personally responsible for the trustworthiness of the results and their names and copies of the relevant documents, related to the Buteyko trials as well, are still archived in Russia and Ukraine.