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The Impact of Unpredictability on Dyspnea Perception, Anxiety and Interoceptive Error Processing
Yafei Tan1,2, Omer Van den Bergh2, Jiang Qiu1
1Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Frontiers in Physiology
|May 28, 2019
Summary
Unpredictable dyspnea episodes increase unpleasantness and anxiety, particularly in early experimental phases. This effect is linked to heightened interoceptive error processing and anxiety sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Cardiorespiratory Medicine
Background:
- Dyspnea is a common symptom in cardiorespiratory and mental health disorders.
- Unpredictable stimuli can heighten anxiety and error processing.
- The impact of unpredictability on dyspnea perception is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how unpredictable versus predictable dyspnea affects dyspnea perception, anxiety, and interoceptive error processing.
- To examine the role of anxiety sensitivity in these responses.
Main Methods:
- High-density electroencephalography (EEG) was used in 32 healthy participants.
- Participants performed a respiratory task under unpredictable and predictable dyspnea conditions.
- Measures included self-reports of dyspnea and anxiety, startle probe N100, and interoceptive error-related negativity (ERN).
Main Results:
- Unpredictable dyspnea led to greater perceived unpleasantness and anxiety.
- This was associated with larger startle probe N100 and interoceptive ERN amplitudes, especially in early experimental blocks.
- Higher anxiety sensitivity correlated with increased dyspnea unpleasantness and state anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Unpredictability exacerbates dyspnea unpleasantness, likely through increased anxiety and interoceptive error processing.
- These effects are more pronounced when dyspnea is highly unpredictable.
- Further research in dyspnea patients is warranted.
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