Projects
SPEAR
This study was designed to assess the extent to which psychological stress influences the experience of asthma-like symptoms (e.g., shortness of breath, coughing) and lung function (e.g., daily peak flow variability) in the workplace, and if so, by what mechanisms. § Goals § Impacts Reach a greater understanding of the potential moderating effects of stress on the development of occupational asthma, and to greater recognition of how psychological stress in the workplace is an important risk factor in this population. § Full scientific description : The goal was to investigate the extent to which daily psychological stress influences the experience of asthma-like symptoms (e.g., wheezing) and lung function (daily peak expiratory flow variability), and the mechanistic role the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays in these relationships. It was hypothesized that an increase in negative emotions would precede the experience of asthma-like symptoms and a reduction in lung function. It was also hypothesized that this relationship would be mediated by alterations in parasympathetic and sympathetic control. § Timeline: 2009-2011 § Project Personnel Main Investigator: Simon L. Bacon, Ph.D. § Primary Contact Person Maxine Boudreau, Ph.D.(c), Project Coordinator
§ Funders/Sponsors Asthma in the Workplace Centre, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
If you would like to learn more about one of our ongoing studies, if you would like to see if you might be eligible to participate in one of our studies, or if you are interested in participating in one of our studies, please contact the primary contact person identified above, or email us directly. |
