Breathing pattern disorders can cause mechanical, physiological, and psychological issues in the body, contributing to the initiation and chronicity of pain. Therefore, considering breathing patterns is significant in managing chronic pain, yet direct research on central sensitization and breathing pattern disorders remains scant. This study aims to analyze the correlation between central sensitization and breathing pattern disorders in adults by assessing both respiration and pain.
Breathing pattern disorders impact consciousness and the body according to respiratory patterns, leading to physiological, mechanical, and psychological disturbances. Unlike normal breathing patterns facilitated by appropriate diaphragmatic activity, incorrect patterns often exhibit reduced diaphragmatic engagement. Chest breathing patterns are prevalent among chronic pain patients, characterized by limited upper chest segment movement due to prolonged improper respiration without specific pathological symptoms. Fluoroscopy studies reveal flattened and tense diaphragms with diminished relative mobility, implicating accessory and inspiratory muscles more heavily in ventilation. Biologically unsustainable functional breathing patterns correlate with chronic musculoskeletal issues and pain. Prior research establishes associations between inappropriate breathing patterns and chronic lower back pain and scapular dysfunctions. Consequently, managing chronic pain clinically necessitates functional recovery and pain relief, crucial for sustaining daily life. Therefore, researching central adaptations and respiration in chronic pain management is imperative, yet remains insufficiently explored.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
Honam University
Gwangju, South Korea
Respiratory function
This study utilized the Self Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire (SEBQ) to assess respiratory function. The SEBQ is a self-administered questionnaire designed to measure symptoms and severity associated with respiratory dysfunction. It consists of 25 items, each rated on a 4-point scale (0 = not at all, to 3 = very much so), with a total possible score ranging from 0 to 75. While there is no definitive cutoff score for the SEBQ, experts consider a total score above 25 to indicate a problem with respiratory function. The SEBQ has a test-retest reliability (ICC) of 0.89 and internal consistency (Cronbach's α) of 0.93.
Time frame: During the assessment period
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