Electroencephalographic Studies in Asthma with Some Personality Correlates*

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the possibility that certain types of brain-wave patterns are characteristic of patients suffering from bronchial asthma. A review of the literature showing the close interrelation of psychic and somatic factors in bronchial asthma is first presented. Forty-five [male] patients suffering from asthma served as exptl. subjects. The duration of asthma symptoms of the subjects had extended over periods of from 2-43 yrs. Brain waves were led off bilaterally from the occipital brain areas by the use of monopolar electrodes attached to the scalp. Runs were made with eyes open and closed to determine the "eyes open" and "eyes closed" effect on the a-rhythm. The electroencephalographic records which were obtained indicate a definite relationship '' between bronchial asthma and a dominant a rhythm; al-most 3 times as many dominant a records were found in the asthmatic group as in a normal control group. Since earlier studies have shown dominant a records to be correlated with passive, receptive types of individuals, and since the personality data of the subjects tested seem to fit into this pattern, the authors conclude that there is a close relationship between bronchial asthma and a fundamental passive, dependent personality structure.

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