Gender and speech related differences on thoracoabdominal motion during cognitive tasks

Abstract

Background: Assessment and evaluation of thoracoabdominal motion during breathing is clinical relevance. This study aims to highlight parameters that can influence thoracoabdominal management strategies.

Methods: Thirty healthy young subjects (25 ± 4 years old, 57% women) were recruited. Thoracoabdominal contribution of respiration was evaluated based on the images derived from the Kinect V2^® camera. Thoracoabdominal analysis (TAA) by regression was performed between thoracic and abdominal motions, and the angle between the regression line and the x-axis was computed. Based on these angles three different patterns were defined: a) homogeneous breathing – when angle range (AR)= 45°, b) abdominal breathing when AR <45°, c) thoracic breathing when AR >45°. Breathings were recorded for 1min during the three different conditions: at rest and at two cognitive tasks (count back 3): one performed pure mentally, whilst other expressed by speech also.

Results: The respiratory rate was decreased by 18% (p = .004) in oral task and increased by 20% (p = .005) in mental task. In regards to the TAA, there is no interaction for the three conditions: rest, oral and mental task (p = .52). A significant interaction effect for sex was observed: women presented higher values than men (54±9°vs 45±13°, p < .001). The interaction between the conditions and sex is not significant (p = .51).

Measurements and Main Results: Women seem to have more thoracic breaths than men. This may have an effect during clinical evaluation or even have implications in postural control. Speech does not seem to have a significant effect on TAA but well on the respiratory rate.