Guidelines for mechanical lung function measurements in psychophysiology

Abstract

Studies in psychophysiology and behavioral medicine have uncovered associations among psychological processes, behavior, and lung function. However, methodological issues specific to the measurement of mechanical lung function have rarely been discussed. This report presents an overview of the physiology, techniques, and experimental methods of mechanical lung function measurements relevant to this research context. Techniques to measure lung volumes, airflow, airway resistance, respiratory resistance, and airflow perception are introduced and discussed. Confounding factors such as ventilation, medication, environmental factors, physical activity, and instructional and experimenter effects are outlined, and issues specific to children and clinical groups are discussed. Recommendations are presented to increase the degree of standardization in the research application and publication of mechanical lung function measurements in psychophysiology.

Airway responsiveness to psychological processes in asthma and health

“…They may also enhance bronchoconstriction by irritation of the airways or dilate the airways through deep inhalation, and they require attention and voluntary effort and are thus subject to multiple psychological influences (Smith et al, 1970; Philipp et al, 1972; Spector et al, 1976; Harm et al, 1984). In contrast, respiratory resistance monitoring with forced oscillation or the interrupter technique provides direct and more sensitive assessment of airway caliber and allows for a continuous monitoring of airway status throughout an experimental protocol, which is critical in most studies of emotion (Ritz et al, 2002). Because it relies on tidal breathing it is independent of effort or motivation and does not alter airway tone, and it can thus be expected to produce more valid results.…”

“…Forced oscillation and interrupter techniques are well suited for this purpose (Ritz et al, 2002). Measurements following off-set of the stimulation material may be insensitive and conceptually problematic because they capture effects of recovery from stimulation rather than the effect of stimulation itself.…”

“…Using both approaches to measurement in the same study may be advantageous because co-variation of respiration and respiratory resistance has been observed with both models of emotion (Boiten, 1998; Ritz, 2004; Gomez et al, 2005). Respiratory sensations are another important domain of experience to be measured in studies of airway psychophysiology (Ritz et al, 2002). A solid body of literature has demonstrated multiple facets of respiratory sensations or dyspnea that require multidimensional assessment strategies (e.g., Kinsman et al, 1973; Simon et al, 1989; Lansing et al, 2009; Parshall et al, 2012).…”

“…At least 8 h have been recommended for short-term bronchodilators, 16 h for long-term bronchodilators, and 24 h for leukotriene modifiers (Ritz et al, 2002). Longer wash-out periods of up to 1 week will be needed for Tiotropium, a long-term anticholinergic agent that shows extremely slow dissociation from M 3 muscarinic receptors (Barnes et al, 1995).…”

Does waterfall aerosol influence mucosal immunity and chronic stress? A randomized controlled clinical trial

“…The conductance of the skin is dependent of the quantity of sweat, which is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system and positively correlates with stress. Also, respiration reflects the psychological and emotional state, e.g., in relaxed situations, respiration is slow and regular, whereas fast and irregular rhythms of breath are ascribed to stress emotions [43]. Similarly, the heart rate and its variability correlate with comforting impacts and defensive reactions.…”