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or hypocapnia?
hypocapnic state but on aspecific factors such as the stressfulness of the test. This raises the question; what does recognition of symptoms during the HVPT signify? In trying to find an answer, we have compared 80 recognizers and 21 non-recognizers with respect to respiratory measures (PetCO, and respiratory rate) and self-report measures. Results: (I) Recognizers reported more symptoms, both in daily life and during the HVPT. (2) Recognizers had lower resting PetCO, values. (3) There was no relation in the total group between number of symptoms - in daily life and during the HVPT ~ and respiratory measures. (4) Recognizers and higher scores for fear of somatic symptoms, agoraphobia and depression. (5) There was a relation in the total group between number of symptoms and the psychological measures. Discussion: Finding 2, but not finding 3, seems to favour the hyperventilation syndrome model. Findings 4 and 5, on the other hand, suggest a psychological interpretation of symptom reporting.
HYPERVENTILATION SYMPTOMS: AND/OR HYPOCAPNIA? Erik PEPER
BREATHING
PATTERNS
and Merrie MACHOSE
Sun Frcmr~sco Sate Unruersir_v, San ~ru~~is~ff, CA, U.S.A.
Dysfunctional breathing patterns are common to hyperventilation syndrome and may include incomplete exhalation (IE). This study reports how IE (exhaling 70% of the inhaled volume) affects subjective experience. Thirty-five volunteer subjects were first trained in slow diaphragmatic breathing (SDB). The experimental conditions consisted of 2 minutes of SDB, then 2 minutes of IE, and then again 2 minutes of SDB. The results demonstrated that anxiety level was higher during IE as compared to the pre- and post-SDB levels ( p < 0.001). The subjective experiences associated showed a 93.1% decrease in arousal during the pre-SDB; a 79.4% increase in arousal and symptoms and a 20.5% increase in difficulty with breathing during IE, and a 91.4% decrease in arousal and symptoms during post-SUB. Although all subjects showed a significant decrease in monitored CO, during IE, the “true” end-tidal PCO, was not reached. When IE was interrupted with an extended exhalation for end-tidal COZ measurement, it increased to normal levels. IE appears to rapidly induce “hyperventilation” symptoms without hyperventilation, The importance of breathing patterns, symptom prescription, and the clinical implication of careful capnographic recording are discussed.
HYPERVENTILATION SYMPTOMS: AND/OR HYPOCAPNIA? Erik PEPER
BREATHING
PATTERNS
and Merrie MACHOSE
Sun Frcmr~sco Sate Unruersir_v, San ~ru~~is~ff, CA, U.S.A.
Dysfunctional breathing patterns are common to hyperventilation syndrome and may include incomplete exhalation (IE). This study reports how IE (exhaling 70% of the inhaled volume) affects subjective experience. Thirty-five volunteer subjects were first trained in slow diaphragmatic breathing (SDB). The experimental conditions consisted of 2 minutes of SDB, then 2 minutes of IE, and then again 2 minutes of SDB. The results demonstrated that anxiety level was higher during IE as compared to the pre- and post-SDB levels ( p < 0.001). The subjective experiences associated showed a 93.1% decrease in arousal during the pre-SDB; a 79.4% increase in arousal and symptoms and a 20.5% increase in difficulty with breathing during IE, and a 91.4% decrease in arousal and symptoms during post-SUB. Although all subjects showed a significant decrease in monitored CO, during IE, the “true” end-tidal PCO, was not reached. When IE was interrupted with an extended exhalation for end-tidal COZ measurement, it increased to normal levels. IE appears to rapidly induce “hyperventilation” symptoms without hyperventilation, The importance of breathing patterns, symptom prescription, and the clinical implication of careful capnographic recording are discussed.