title: Airway response of healthy individuals to affective picture series.
abstract: We studied the effects of viewing pictures in three series of homogeneous affects on respiratory resistance. Results from prior studies had been equivocal with respect to modulation of resistance by affective valence or arousal. Forty-two healthy participants viewed three series of affective slides preselected for global categories of positive, neutral and negative valence. Oscillatory resistance (R(os)), time, volume and flow parameters of respiration, cardiac interbeat-interval, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and skin conductance were measured throughout the picture series, and individual pictures were rated in pleasure, arousal and interest. During the slide presentation, R(os) increased with decreasing picture valence. Other physiological parameters did not parallel these changes. R(os) changes were restricted to the expiratory portion of the breathing cycle, thus suggesting a contribution of upper airway sites to the response. It is concluded that R(os) is modulated by affective valence when pictures are selected in global categories of positive, neutral and negative affect. Observed airway responses are probably less informative with respect to affect-induced exacerbation in lower airway disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, and VA Palo Alto Health Care System (116F-PAD), 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. tritz@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thöns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005652:Functional Residual Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D013990:Tidal Volume / Q000502:physiology