The Association Between Respiratory Functions, Pain Tolerance and Body Awareness in Obstructive Lung Diseases

Purpose: There are only a limited number of studies in the literature evaluating body awareness, pain perception, and the relationship between clinical parameters and respiratory functions in patients with obstructive lung disease (OLD) and compared with healthy individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate respiratory functions, pain tolerance, and body awareness in patients with OLD and compare these findings with those of healthy individuals.

Methods: The study included 33 patients and 30 healthy individuals. The respiratory function (spirometer), respiratory muscle strength (mouth pressure device), endurance (threshold loading device), pain level and tolerance (short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and algometer), posture, and body awareness (Body Awareness Questionnaire-BAQ) were evaluated.

Results: The pain threshold and tolerance of the biceps, triceps, trapezius, and quadriceps muscles were significantly lower and BAQ scores were higher in patients with OLD compared with healthy individuals (p < .05). There was a significant relationship between FEV₁ (%) and pain tolerance of the triceps (r = 0.371, p = .047) and gastrocnemius muscles (r = 0.419, p = .024); FVC (%) and pain threshold of the gastrocnemius (r = 0.413, p = .023), triceps muscles (r = 0.394, p = .034), and pain tolerance of the gastrocnemius muscle (r = 0.549, p = .002).

Conclusions: Patients with OLD have a marked increase in pain perception and body awareness levels and a decrease in pain threshold and tolerance compared with healthy controls. Future studies should assess the effectiveness of pain management interventions as a part of pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

Clinical implications: Pain management is important for planning pulmonary rehabilitation programmes.