Treatment of Tietze's syndrome pain through paced respiration

A paced respiration methodology and self-control procedure was developed to reduce respiratory irregularities associated with disabling Tietze's syndrome pain. A 46-year-old disabled male patient who was diagnosed as having Tietze's syndrome and coronary heart disease was trained in respiratory control during five training sessions. Treatment was directed at producing normal respiratory activity and reducing involuntary deep inspirations. Training led to within- and between-sessions reductions in respiratory irregularity and pain frequency, and to increases in self-reported activity levels. Two- and 5-month follow-up sessions showed that improvements were maintained but at an attenuated level. Possible respiration biofeedback or self-monitoring treatments of this syndrome are also discussed.