Research from University of Leuven broadens understanding of asthma
2007 NOV 21 -- "We investigated associative learning as a possible explanation of overperception in asthma. Thirty newly diagnosed patients with asthma (eight men) underwent a histamine provocation to elicit airway obstruction (Cockcroft's protocol)," scientists in Louvain, Belgium report. "Patients testing positive and reporting symptoms underwent an identical procedure on the next day with saline, a substance that does not elicit any significant airway changes. Symptoms of airway obstruction and fatigue increased significantly from pre- to post-saline inhalation on day 2, whereas physiological parameters did not change. Increases in symptoms were significantly related to the level of dispositional negative affectivity, but not to the degree of airway reactivity or changes in objective lung function. These results suggest that the experience of asthmatic symptoms in a specific context may evoke the experience of similar symptoms when confronted with the context only," wrote S. Depeuter and colleagues, University of Leuven. The researchers concluded: "Learning was more likely to occur in those patients with high negative affectivity." Depeuter and colleagues published their study in Psychology & Health (Context-evoked overperception in asthma. Psychology & Health, 2007;22(6):737-748). For more information, contact S. Depeuter, University of Leuven, Dept. of Psychology, Tiensestr 102, B-3000 Louvain, Belgium. Publisher contact information for the journal Psychology & Health is: Taylor & Francis Ltd., 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RN, Oxon, England. Keywords: Belgium, Louvain, Allergies, Allergy Medicine, Asthma, University of Leuven. This article was prepared by Immunotherapy Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Immunotherapy Weekly via NewsRx.com.
|
