Apparatus and methods for providing breath training. In illustrative embodiments, an operator creates a pressure, either positive or negative, in the lungs. This pressure is transferred through a mask assembly to a breathwork apparatus, which utilizes pistons moving within cylinder volumes to provide numerical feedback to an operator regarding the operator's breathing. Through breath control exercises, the operator of a breathwork apparatus can develop deeper and slower breathing habits which are more efficient. One embodiment provides a breathwork apparatus comprising an exhalation side; a transfer case; an inhalation side; and, a mask assembly, wherein the exhalation side and inhalation side are joined by transfer case which comprises a plurality of channels, such that at least a first channel of a plurality of channels terminates in an exhalation rate meter, and at least a second channel of the plurality of channels terminates in an inhalation rate meter.

A system and method are configured to adjust the tidal volume of the breathing of a subject. The subject is self-ventilating (breathes under her own power). The adjustment of tidal volume accomplished through use of the system and/or method may reduce hypertension (e.g., lower blood pressure), reduce stress and/or anxiety (and related maladies), improve relaxation, decrease sleep latency, improve sleep quality, address other sleep disorders, and/or provide other health benefits. The system and method are effective in adjusting tidal volume while the subject is awake and/or asleep.

A system and method for managing ventilation of a user, through the use of an oral appliance, is disclosed. The appliance is configured to fit between the user's teeth and lips or cheeks to inhibit ventilation by the user around the appliance, and includes a passageway. An airway resistor within the passageway includes an aperture that is sized to allow a metered amount of air flow by the ventilation of the user. A pressure sensor measures an air pressure in the aperture, which measurement is transmitted to an external computer processor to generate feedback data for the user.

A system to optimize diaphragmatic breathing is disclosed. The system has a first sensor to measure breathing movement of a user's abdomen and output a signal related to the movement of the user's abdomen, a second sensor to measure breathing movement of the user's chest and output a signal related to the movement of the user's chest; and a control device communicatively coupled with the first sensor and the second sensor. The control device has one or more processors, a memory comprising set of program modules executable by one or more processors. an assessment module for receiving the signal from the first sensor and second sensor and converting the signals to a data input, and for comparing the data input to a predetermined data range representative of proper diaphragmatic breathing for the user and a communication interface for providing feedback based on the assessment modules comparison of the data input and the predetermined range so as to optimize the user's diaphragmatic breathing. A method for optimizing diaphragmatic breathing is also disclosed.

Systems and methods for breathing training and methods to monitor their use are disclosed. According to an aspect, a breathing training monitoring system may include a gas passageway that is occluded or connected to a RMT device for receipt of input from a patient. Further, the system may include a gas pressure transducer configured to measure gas pressure within the gas passageway. The system may include a breathing activity monitor configured to determine whether a breathing activity has been accomplished based on the measure of gas pressure. The breathing activity monitor may also present an indication that the breathing activity has been accomplished in response to determining that the breathing activity has been accomplished.