Breathing Patterns Associated with Trait Anxiety and Breathlessness in Humans

Abstract

During periods of increased anxiety there is an increase in respiratory frequency which correlates significantly with individual trait anxiety. These changes are observed especially in high trait individuals and occur with no change in V . co 2 or tidal volume, but with a resultant decrease in end tidal CO 2 (P ET CO 2 ).Recent work focusing on human brain activities has suggested that the temporal pole and the amygdala in the limbic system are activated during increased anxiety in high-trait individuals. The activation of these areas participates in the enhancement of respiratory frequency in normal subjects [6].Idiopathic hyperventilation (IH) is a condition of uncertain aetiology that is characterized by sustained arterial and alveolar hypocapnia and a plethora of It is generally agreed that a central pattern generator (CPG) for respiration exists in the lower brainstem; however, respiratory patterns in the awake state are also affected by the higher brain centers to varying degrees, dependent on the arousal level [1], the emotional state [2] and personality trait [3]. In the conscious state, carbon dioxide inhalation modifies the breathing pattern primarily by a stimulation of chemoreceptors. However, the final respiratory output results from a strong interaction between requirements from metabolism and behavior.It is well known that the emotions of fear and anxiety generated in the limbic system cause physiological changes in heart rate, perspiration and respiration [4]. Anxiety increases respiratory frequency and minute ventilation with no change in metabolism [5].Japanese Journal of Physiology Vol. 54, [465][466][467][468][469][470] 2004 Received on August 4, 2004; accepted on October 13, 2004 Correspondence should be addressed to: Ikuo Homma, Department of Physiology II, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai. Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan. Phone: +81 3 3784 8113, Fax: +81 3 3784 0200, E-mail: ihomma@med.showa-u.ac.jp Abstract: Idiopathic hyperventilation (IH) is a condition of uncertain aetiology characterized by sustained arterial and alveolar hypocapnia and a plethora of symptoms, the most commonly reported being shortness of breath, and breathlessness. We previously reported that anxiety increases respiratory frequency and minute ventilation with no change in metabolism in normal subjects. In this study, we compared the breathing frequency response to 5% and 7% of CO 2 gas mixtures in normal subjects (n = 13) and in subjects with IH (n = 9), taking into account anxiety and breathlessness in order to determine how breathing patterns may vary with changes in the degree of involvement of higher brain centers because of anxiety and the perception of breathlessness. CO 2 produced a significantly higher value in respiratory frequency (f ) in subjects with IH. Subjects with IH also showed lower P ET CO 2 than normal subjects. During the inhalation of room air, a significant correlation between f and trait anxiety scores was observed in normal subjects (r = 0.49) and IH subjects (r = 0...

Amygdala Response During Anticipatory Anxiety in Patients with Tension-type Headache

“…A previous study tested in healthy subjects reported that anticipatory anxiety increases RR, and that this increase in RR is directly associated with individual anxiety levels 7 . This phenomenon was also observed not only in normal healthy subjects but also in highly anxious patients 16 . In this study, we also found that TTH with high anxiety showed a high increase of RR.…”

“…In fact, this is the case in many highly anxious individuals, who often exhibit tightness in peripheral muscles. For instance, patients with hyperventilation syndrome often present with chest wall tightness and neck tightness 16 . Stress and anxiety affect muscle tone by increasing gamma-motor input at the muscle spindle, as well as increasing respiration-related muscle activity 16 .…”

Comparative Analysis Between Computed and Conventional Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Techniques

“…These results are similar to those described by other authors, who attributed these changes to pain, fear, and anxiety. 19,20 The perception of the degree of patient anxiety enables the professional to pay attention to stressful situations and adopt measures to minimize anxiety and pain perception during the application of the anesthetic solution. 21 In summary, the inferior alveolar nerve block computer-controlled anesthetic technique provides lower pain intensity as compared with the conventional technique, but does not show statistically significant differences.…”

Effects of Respiratory Muscle Stretch Gymnastics on Children's Emotional Responses

“…Indeed, we assumed that baseline tightness was greater in these children compared with the lower A-Trait group because a significant decrease in RR was observed in the higher anxiety group after one week of RMSG. Chest wall tightness is commonly observed in highly anxious subjects, especially in patients with hyperventilation syndrome 9 . Stress and anxiety enhance muscle tone by increasing intercostal muscle activity through an increase in the gammamotor input at the muscle spindle 9 .…”

“…Chest wall tightness is commonly observed in highly anxious subjects, especially in patients with hyperventilation syndrome 9 . Stress and anxiety enhance muscle tone by increasing intercostal muscle activity through an increase in the gammamotor input at the muscle spindle 9 . Our results suggest that RMSG was more effective for children with high trait anxiety.…”