Investigating the Association Between Central Sensitization and Breathing Pattern Disorders

Investigating the Association Between Central Sensitization and Breathing Pattern Disorders : A STROBE-compliant Cross-sectional Study

Breathing pattern disorders can cause mechanical, physiological, and psychological issues in the body, contributing to the initiation and chronicity of pain. Therefore, considering breathing patterns is significant in managing chronic pain, yet direct research on central sensitization and breathing pattern disorders remains scant. This study aims to analyze the correlation between central sensitization and breathing pattern disorders in adults by assessing both respiration and pain.

Breathing pattern disorders impact consciousness and the body according to respiratory patterns, leading to physiological, mechanical, and psychological disturbances. Unlike normal breathing patterns facilitated by appropriate diaphragmatic activity, incorrect patterns often exhibit reduced diaphragmatic engagement. Chest breathing patterns are prevalent among chronic pain patients, characterized by limited upper chest segment movement due to prolonged improper respiration without specific pathological symptoms. Fluoroscopy studies reveal flattened and tense diaphragms with diminished relative mobility, implicating accessory and inspiratory muscles more heavily in ventilation. Biologically unsustainable functional breathing patterns correlate with chronic musculoskeletal issues and pain. Prior research establishes associations between inappropriate breathing patterns and chronic lower back pain and scapular dysfunctions. Consequently, managing chronic pain clinically necessitates functional recovery and pain relief, crucial for sustaining daily life. Therefore, researching central adaptations and respiration in chronic pain management is imperative, yet remains insufficiently explored.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 and above.
• Individuals scoring 40 or above on the Central Sensitization Inventory for Koreans (CSI-K).
• Individuals who consent to the use and publication of their personal information and wish to participate in assessment measurements.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with pulmonary, cardiac, or respiratory diseases.
• Individuals with severe hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg.
• Individuals with cognitive impairments.
• Individuals who express a desire to withdraw from the study during its duration.