Influences of Suggestion on Airway Reactivity in Asthmatic Subjects

Abstract

The effect of suggestion on bronchomotor tone was evaluated in a setting in which accurate, rapid, and reproducible measurements of airway resistance (Ra) could be made. Subjects with asthma, emphysema, and restrictive lung disease, as well as normal subjects, were studied. All subjects were led to believe that they were inhaling irritants or allergens which cause bronchoconstriction. The actual substance used in all instances was nebulized physiologic saline solution. Nineteen of 40 asthmatics reacted to the experimental situation with a significant increase in Ra. Twelve of the asthmatic subjects developed full-blown attacks of bronchospasm which was reversed with a saline solution placebo. The 40 control nonasthmatic subjects did not react.