Psychological Treatment of an Asthmatic Patient in Crisis Dreams, Biofeedback, and Pain Behavior Modification

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a unique, integrated combination of various psychological methods that can be used in the treatment of asthma during an acute episode, as well as in long-term management. Illustrated by a case presentation, the therapeutic approach, totaling 14 treatment sessions for the patient and his wife, included: a psychological evaluation, the use of pain behavior-modification procedures usually performed conjointly with the patient's wife, the analytical use of dreams, the desensitization of anxiety present in dream material, and autogenic therapy combined with thermal biofeedback (i.e., using digital temperature to measure relaxation) both at the medical center and at home. Electromyography (EMC)—a measurement of tension-and electrodermal (EDR)—a measurement of galvanic skin response-biofeedback instruments were used nosologi-cally and therapeutically to measure psychophysiological changes, as well as to reduce emotional stresses related to the patient's asthmatic condition.