Optimizing Mind-Body Interactions in Respiratory Control During Operationally Relevant Environmental Stressors
Indiana University
Summary
Warfighters are frequently exposed to environments and life-support systems that increase breathing resistance and the work of breathing (WOB), such as aircraft on-board oxygen generation systems and underwater breathing apparatuses. Elevated WOB then increases the perception of breathing difficulty (dyspnea) and has been associated with impaired cognitive performance, including slower reaction time and reduced accuracy during attention-demanding tasks. These effects are particularly concerning in operational settings that require rapid decision-making and precise motor responses. Despite growing recognition of this issue, critical gaps remain regarding strategies to mitigate the perceptual and cognitive consequences of elevated inspiratory resistance, especially under realistic operational stressors. The objective of this experiment is to determine whether modifying the sensory perception of breathing alters breathing perception and cognitive performance during inspiratory resistance. Auditory feedback of ventilation will be manipulated (normal, reduced, or amplified) to assess whether altering breathing-related sensory input affects breathing perception and cognitive performance without changing mechanical load.
Description
In some instances, reducing inspiratory resistive loads (e.g., OBOGs, SCUBA) for Warfighters may not be feasible, but understanding how breathing perception is affected by resistance is essential. Auditory feedback of ventilation significantly influences breathing awareness, and as the WOB increases, this perception intensifies due to enhanced auditory input. This heightened awareness can distract and tax cognitive processing. Recent studies indicate that auditory distractions, like music during exercise, can lessen dyspnea and respiratory and whole-body discomfort in healthy individuals and t…