Abstract
The relationship between type A behavior pattern (TABP) and coronary heart disease (CHD) is well established although it is not clear how TABP causes CHD. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that TABP causes CHD by decreasing parasympathetic function. Subjects were taught to increase the length of their expiration in order to improve parasympathetic function. The Kraepelin test indicated significant improvements in parasympathetic function, as well as a decrease in type-A behavior and attitudes in twelve type-A-prone subjects who were treated, in comparison to 11 subjects who were not treated. No differences were found in the achievement on the Kraepelin test. The breathing exercises that were used in this study have a number of advantages over cognitive behavior therapy, kinetic therapy and drug therapy. These include lower cost and lower risk. It is expected that practicing this breathing technique regularly will lead to health promotion in daily life. In the long term, it is expected to result in the modification of TABP, prevention of CHD, as well as reducing relapses of CHD.
