20th Annual Student Research Conference
Social Science
Patient Speech Alters Respiration Rate, Blood Pressure, and Heart Rate
Adam H. Kabins*, Robbie Pacanowski, Lee Rabey, Michael Faddoul, Justin M. Ryder, and Benjamin D. Layne
Dr. Fred Shaffer, Faculty Mentor
This study explored the effects of patient speech on respiration rate, blood pressure, and heart rate, utilizing a within-subjects design with fifty-five undergraduates (28 men and 27 women). Participants were randomly assigned to one of six orders of three 30-s speech conditions during automated blood pressure measurement, separated by 3-min buffer periods. The three conditions were silence, reading a positive personal health description while breathing continuously and reading the same description while taking as few breaths as possible. The experimental instructions successfully manipulated breath-holding as indexed by respiration rate. Speech decreased respiration rate and increased blood pressure and heart rate compared to silence. Breath-holding slightly amplified these effects on diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Since patient speech significantly decreases respiration rate and increases blood pressure and heart rate, we recommend that clinicians not solicit conversation when taking these vital signs.
Keywords: biofeedback, blood pressure, respiration rate, heart rate, speech
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 66-3
Location: VH 1412
Time: 3:15 pm