title: Airway reactivity in response to repeated emotional film clip presentation in asthma.
abstract: Emotional stimuli elicit airway constriction in individuals with asthma and in healthy individuals, but little is known about effects of repeated stimulation. We therefore explored the effect of repeated emotion induction on respiratory resistance (Rrs) using unpleasant, high-arousal surgery films and investigated effects of respiration and emotional reactivity. Twenty-six participants (13 with asthma) watched a series of 12 short, 45-s surgery films followed by 2-min recovery periods. Rrsassessed with impulse oscillometry was significantly elevated during films in both groups compared to baseline and recovered quickly after that. No habituation of airway responses occurred. Rrswas higher in participants who felt more aroused and less in control when watching the films. Changes in Rrsremained significant when controlling for changes in respiration or emotional experience. Thus, although unpleasant stimuli lead to elevated Rrs, airway obstruction is not exacerbated with repeated stimulation due to a fast return to baseline after stimulation.
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: thomas.janssens@kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.affiliation: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Ashton M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.affiliation: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenfield
authors.affiliation: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ritz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009040:Motion Pictures; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asthma; Emotion; Habituation; Impulse oscillometry; Lung function; Respiration; Respiratory resistance