Abstract | Keywords | Export | Availability | Bookmark

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Many studies have already addressed the effects of slow deep breathing (SDB) on pain and blood pressure (BP), but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. No studies however looked at the gradual effect of SDB over time. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of pain and systolic blood pressure (BP) over the trial during instructed SDB. Forty-one participants performed three trials of SDB, each trial lasting ten minutes. In each SDB trial, participants received 30 electrocutaneous stimuli, with an individually tailored intensity rated as 'moderate pain' at the start of the study. Participants had to rate their perceived pain caused by each stimulus on a numeric scale and beat-to-beat blood pressure was continuously recorded. A Repeated Measures ANOVA with two within subject factors, number of trial (1, 2, 3) and time within trial (minutes 1-10), was applied to the pain ratings and the systolic blood pressure data. As expected, BP decreased over time during SDB, but this effect became less strong through repeated trials. Unexpectedly, also an increase in pain over time was observed during SDB. The increase in pain can potentially be explained by the decrease in BP, which possibly influenced the pain via the central branch of the baroreflex system. Alternative explanations for the increase in pain over time during SDB may involve (1) a decreasing effect over time of distraction from pain during instructed SDB, or, (2) central sensitization. The present findings suggest that to maximize a potential pain-reducing effect of SDB, SDB should be applied only for a short time (e.g. 1 minute).