Respiratorische Faktoren in der Klinischen Psychophysiologie und dem Biofeedback

Summary Respiratory Factors in Clinical Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Respiration is a complex physiological system affecting a variety of physical processes that can act as a critical link between mind and body. In this paper, we discuss the physiology and psychophysiology of breathing and its relevance for understanding several clinical syndromes that are not directly associated with respiratory disturbance. We present findings from three areas - panic disorder, functional cardiac disorder, and chronic pain - supporting respiratory factors as either markers, mediators, or etiological mechanisms for a number of physical symptoms. Recent technological advances allowing the ambulatory measurement of end-tidal partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), and respiratory patterns have opened up new avenues for investigation and treatment of these disorders. Recent evidence from our laboratories indicates that subtle but consistent breathing abnormalities are present in panic patients as opposed to other anxiety disorders or normal control groups. Contrary to previous models that emphasized outright hyperventilation as a key factor in anxiety disorders, this research focuses on respiratory instability and breathing behaviors such as sighs as signs of dysfunctional regulation of breathing. Finally, we discuss some treatment approaches based on the proposed mediational model that can be effective in the disorders mentioned above. Copyright (c) 2000 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg [Copyright Information: (c)2000 by S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg]