Emotion and pulmonary function in asthma: reactivity in the field and relationship with laboratory induction of emotion.

Objective: We investigated the modulation of pulmonary function by mood states in the daily life of asthmatic patients and nonasthmatic control subjects and its relationship to the airway effects of laboratory induction of emotion using films.

Methods: Twenty asthmatic patients and 20 nonasthmatic control subjects participated in a laboratory session in which various emotions (ie, anxiety, anger, depression, happiness, elation, contentment, and neutrality) were induced by films. Respiratory resistance (Ros) was measured by forced oscillation.