Theoretical And Clinical Research On The Co-relationship Between Asthma And Emotions

ObjectiveHuang Di Nei Jing discusses the role of shen disturbance as the basis of all diseases and that the emotions of fear and sadness are most predominant in the disease of asthma. While Western medicine has confirmed that depression and anxiety are associated with onset and exacerbation of asthma most studies in emotional research focus on non-explicit emotions but only dysregulation of anxiety and depression. This study was designed with specificity of nueurorespiratory function of sadness and fear in lung function and asthma control. Thus, this study hopes to contribute more support from a Western scientific basis for Huang Di Nei Jing.Methods1.Theoretical researchArticles from multiple disciplines of science (such as pulmonary medicine, immunology, neuroendocrinology, molecular psychology, systems science, etc.) were collected and analyzed according to certain questions such as:what is the validity of emotional dysregulation and asthma correlation, what is the mechanism of emotions and asthma, what are past and current research trends in asthma, explain systems biology research into asthma, what does Huang Di Nei Jing original articles say about emotions and asthma etc. Information was extracted and synthesized into a robust review of current thinking on emotional neuroregulatory functions of respiration in asthma. From this, a more thorough Western scientific model for asthma in Huang Di Nei Jing could be devised.2. Clinical Research38asthma patients were collected at Guangdong NanHai TCM hospital and shown affective video clips (8minutes) of either a content neutral/pleasant (Group 1) or sad/fearful (Group2) emotional stimulation based on research standard of affectively homogeneous picture series (IAPS). FEV1and FEV1%, breath rate, pulse rate, pulse quality, and social history were collected. One month later, ACT scores were collected.35patients were collected initially but due to inability to contact after one month, the patients were reduced to31in the study. Environment controls such as temperature regulation, clearing humidity, separation from distraction and doctors attention were regulated.Results1. Theoretic researchFound that there is a correlation with asthma and brain centers that are associated with fear and sadness which was synthesized information from different studies combined together. Therefore, creating new knowledge in the realm of Huang Di Nei Jing research. As well, this research found that the direction of asthma study could trend in the direction of systems biology to further explain the emotions and asthma mechanism.2. Clinical researchWhen comparing Group1with Group2in a ratio, the patients in Group1had statistically higher FEV1when compared to Group2(p<0.05). By the value of the ratio, we could see the direction/trend of the changing of the observation point/index. When looking at the change in FEV1Group1's FEV1rose while Group2decreased. However, while there was a trend in rising and falling, it did not prove to be statistically valid with a (p>0.05) when looking at the rise and fall alone.Conclusion1. Theoretic researchHuang Di Nei Jing is the foundation of all Chinese Medicine. This study found new knowledge in the area of brain regions correlating with asthma control correlating with sadness and fear as was first put forth by Huang Di Nei Jing. As well, this could be useful in the area of research in Systems biology showing a level of connectedness and hope to attract systems biologist to further investigating Huang Di Nei Jing. This study helps to show that systems biology may hold great potential in scientifically explaining Huang Di Nei Jing.2. Clinical ResearchWhile there were some problems with the research statically in the FEV1changes in Group1and2, this could probably have to do with the some difficulties in the clinical setting such as patients'inability to fully comply with breathing technique required for spirometry machinery, attention span or interest in films, or other unknowns not foreseen. However, despite this, there was an obvious trend in lowering lung function in sadness and fear related movies. As well, the data proved that there is a statistical difference between the change when comparing Group1and Group2in a ratio where Group1FEV was higher than Group2.