Ventilatory Dynamics And Exertional Dyspnea During Respiratory Challenges In Young Adults With Anxiety

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Valesha M. Province (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
Jonathon Stickford

Abstract: Background: Anxious adults may be unwilling to exercise due to dyspnea on exertion (DOE); thus, diminishing their quality of living and potentially increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between trait-anxiety, ventilatory dynamics, and DOE in young adults. Methods: Healthy young adults were categorized based on responses to the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire. Subjects completed four cycling tests at 50% of their predetermined peak aerobic capacity. During exercise, dyspnea was induced via external dead space, resistance loading, or lessened via a heliox gas inspirate and compared with control. Ratings of breathlessness and unpleasantness of breathing was collected during exercise. After each trial, subjects completed a modified dyspnea and visual analog scale questionnaire describing their subjective emotions at maximum breathlessness. Results: There was no main effect of group for breathing patterns, operational lung volumes (OLV) or perception of DOE. There was a main effect of challenge on the aforementioned variables. Discussion: Although no main differences were exhibited between groups, the breathing challenges did show to influence ventilatory dynamics and perceptions of DOE. Further investigation is warranted to determine a stronger relation between anxiety, breathing mechanics and DOE.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Province, V. (2021). Ventilatory Dynamics And Exertional Dyspnea During Respiratory Challenges In Young Adults With Anxiety. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2021
Keywords
Dyspnea, Ventilatory Dynamics, Anxiety, Respiratory Challenge, Affective Dimensions of Dyspnea

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