Devriese Stephan, De Peuter Steven, Van Diest Ilse, Van de Woestijne Karel P, Van den Bergh Omer
Research Group for Stress, Health, and Well-being, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;37(4):314-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2006.03.003. Epub 2006 Jun 5.
Reported somatic symptoms without clear relation to physiological processes are studied. A learning paradigm was used with two odors (CSs) and the inhalation of CO(2)-enriched air (US), while measuring symptom levels and respiratory behavior. After paring one odor with the CO(2)-enriched air and the other odor with air, half of the participants received a US-inflation manipulation (information manipulation and enhanced US). Subsequently, all participants received both odors with air (test). A difference between the odor previously paired with CO(2)-enriched air and the odor previously paired with air was found for the symptom measure, US-expectancy ratings, and, to a lesser extent, for respiratory volume. No differences, however, were found between the group receiving the US-inflation manipulation and a group not receiving this manipulation. The results indicate that, despite a successful learning of reported symptoms, US-inflation does not seem to be robust.
