@article {Lehrer:September 1997:1090-0586:183, author = "Lehrer P.M.", author = "Hochron S.M.", author = "Mayne T.", author = "Isenberg S.", author = "Lasoski A.M.", author = "Carlson V.", author = "Gilchrist J.", author = "Porges S.", title = "Relationship Between Changes in EMG and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia in a Study of Relaxation Therapy for Asthma", journal = "Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback", volume = "22", year = "September 1997", abstract = "

This paper reports the relationships among changes in cardiovagal activity, surface EMG, and measures of pulmonary function in a study of relaxation therapy for asthma. Changes in FEV1/FVC were negatively correlated with those in cardiac interbeat interval, consistent with the hypothesis that relaxation-induced changes in airway function are mediated autonomically, with increased vagal tone and/or decreased sympathetic arousal producing bronchoconstriction. Contrary to Kotses's theory of a vagal-trigeminal reflex as mediator for relaxation-induced improvement in asthma, decreases in pulmonary function occurred during relaxation sessions, accompanied by increases in cardiovagal activity, and within-session changes in frontal EMG in the first session of training were positively associated with changes in a measure of pulmonary function (FEV1/FVC). However, consistent with this hypothesis, first-session frontalis EMG changes were positively associated with changes in respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and last-session changes in cardiac interbeat interval were positively associated with changes in FEV1/FVC. The results suggest that the immediate effects of generalized relaxation instruction can be associated with a parasympathetic rebound, which, in turn, may induce countertherapeutic changes in asthma. However, the effects of specific facial muscle relaxation remain uncelar.

", pages = "183-191(9)", url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/apbi/1997/00000022/00000003/00425069" }