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Stress-induced breathlessness in asthma.
S Rietveld1, I van Beest, W Everaerd
1Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Psychological Medicine
|January 5, 2000
Summary
Stress can cause breathlessness in adolescents with asthma, but does not lead to airways obstruction. This study found that psychological stress significantly increased breathlessness in asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pulmonology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Asthma patients often report stress-induced attacks.
- Empirical evidence for stress causing airways obstruction in asthma is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if stress induces breathlessness or airways obstruction in adolescents with asthma.
- To differentiate between psychological and physiological triggers for asthma symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Adolescents with asthma (n=30) and controls (n=20) underwent a stressful computer task.
- Measures included self-reported emotions, physiological stress indicators, respiratory function, and asthma symptoms.
- Lung function, wheeze, cough, and breathlessness were specifically assessed.
Main Results:
- The stress task successfully induced negative emotions and stress in all participants.
- No participants experienced airways obstruction, reduced lung function, wheeze, or significant cough.
- Breathlessness increased in all asthma patients, often severely, exceeding levels seen with provocative agents.
- End-tidal CO2 levels ruled out hypocapnia as the cause of breathlessness.
Conclusions:
- Psychological stress is sufficient to induce breathlessness in adolescents with asthma.
- Stress appears to trigger a breathlessness response independent of actual airways obstruction.