Emotion and pulmonary function in asthma: Reactivity in the field and relationship with laboratory induction of emotion

Objective: We investigated the modulation of pulmonary function by mood sta tes in the daily life of asthmatic patients and nonasthmatic control subjec ts and its relationship to the airway effects of laboratory induction of em otion using films. Methods: Twenty asthmatic patients and 20 nonasthmatic c ontrol subjects participated in a laboratory session in which various emoti ons (ie, anxiety, anger, depression, happiness, elation, contentment, and n eutrality) were induced by films. Respiratory resistance (R-os) was measure d by forced oscillation. After this session, participants kept mood diaries , including regular spirometric self-assessments, for at least 3 weeks. Epi sodes of strong negative or positive mood were selected from these diaries and compared with conditions of relative affective neutrality. Results: In asthmatic patients, negative mood states, and to a lesser degree positive m ood states, were associated with a reduction in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV,) compared with neutral states. These effects were n ot observed in nonasthmatic control subjects. Self-reports of arousal varie d in a reciprocal manner with FEV,, whereas physical activity did not vary systematically between mood episodes. A moderate negative relationship betw een changes in FEV, during negative mood episodes and changes in R-os durin g viewing of the depressing film was also observed in asthmatic patients. C onclusion: Pulmonary function of asthmatic patients is negatively affected by strong mood states in daily life. Airway effects of negative emotion ind uction, particularly depression, can predict changes in pulmonary function in response to negative mood in the field.