We use breathing games to recondition a stress response from inhaling to an exhaling breathing pattern which increases parasympathetic activity of nervous system. It can help alleviate some of the symptoms of stress and anxiety related disorders such social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ADD. In addition to helping kids cope with ADHD.
Effects of longer exhalation
- Slows down breathing
- Reduces heart rate
- Suppresses fight or flight responses
- Provides a general relief
Contraindications
Severe Personality Disorders
Personality disorders, psychopathic disorders, severe forms of depression, mania, obsessive-compulsive disorder and delirium. In these disorders the patient is more likely to interpret a breathing exercise in the context of his/her personality disorder in which the therapist no longer has sufficient control over the therapy’s effect.
Side Effects
Practicing pursed lip breathing expels air that was previously trapped in the lungs. This air is saturated with water and CO2 resulting in dehydration. Thus the patient is required to drink some water after the exercise.
In elderly patients a short-term dizziness is possible therefore after exercise the patient should rest for a while.
Guidelines
PLB can be used as a 10-20 minutes daily systematic respiratory exercise to train breathing in complex with other rehabilitative activities.
Warnings
- Supply patients with extra drinking water
- Before and after use, clean headset with dry tissue
- Store the headset in a clean and dry environment
Did you know? Frequent or constant activity of the sympathetic tone imposes a lasting impact in the form of high blood pressure and disturbed digestion that may lead to stomach ulcers.
References
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Lehrer, P. M., Woolfolk, R. L. & Sime, W. E. Principles and Practice of Stress Management, Third Edition. (Guilford Press, 2007).
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Tiihonen, P. et al. Accuracy of automatic analysis of ambulatory recordings of nocturnal breathing disorders is significantly instrumentation dependent. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology 33, 386–393 (2009).
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Conrad, A. et al. Psychophysiological Effects of Breathing Instructions for Stress Management. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 32, 89–98 (2007).
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Chiang, L.-C., Ma, W.-F., Huang, J.-L., Tseng, L.-F. & Hsueh, K.-C. Effect of relaxation-breathing training on anxiety and asthma signs/symptoms of children with moderate-to-severe asthma: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies 46, 1061–1070 (2009).
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Ley, R. Respiratory Psychophysiology and Behavior Modification. Behavior Modification 25, 491–494 (2001).
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Van Den Wittenboer, G., Van Der Wolf, K. & Van Dixhoorn, J. Respiratory Variability and Psychological Well-Being in Schoolchildren. Behavior Modification 27, 653–670 (2003).
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Ley, R. The Modification of Breathing Behavior: Pavlovian and Operant Control in Emotion and Cognition. Behavior Modification 23, 441–479 (1999).
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