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Published on: May 13, 2016
Zazen and cardiac variability
1Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway 08854-5635, USA.
Zen practitioners' tanden breathing, a slow abdominal respiration technique, significantly increases low-frequency heart rate variability. This practice shifts respiratory sinus arrhythmia to slower rhythms, with variations observed between Rinzai and Soto practitioners.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychophysiology
- Mind-Body Medicine
Background:
- Tanden breathing is a meditative practice involving slow, deep abdominal respiration.
- Zen practitioners utilize tanden breathing for spiritual and physical well-being.
- Understanding the physiological effects of such practices on cardiac function is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of tanden breathing on heart rate variability (HRV) in Zen practitioners.
- To analyze the frequency-domain characteristics of HRV during slow abdominal breathing.
- To compare the effects between Rinzai and Soto Zen practitioners.
Main Methods:
- Eleven Zen practitioners (6 Rinzai, 5 Soto) underwent 20-minute tanden breathing sessions.
- Heart rate and respiration rate were continuously monitored.
- Data analysis focused on HRV in low, high, and very-low frequency bands.
Main Results:
- Tanden breathing induced a significant increase in low-frequency HRV (0.05–0.15 Hz).
- A decrease in high-frequency HRV (0.14–0.4 Hz) was observed, indicating a shift in respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
- Rinzai practitioners exhibited slower breathing rates and greater low-frequency HRV amplitude compared to Soto practitioners.
Conclusions:
- Slow abdominal breathing, like tanden breathing, enhances cardiac variability through resonance phenomena.
- Respiratory-related cardiac oscillations shift towards slower frequencies during tanden breathing.
- Inhalation-phase rhythm irregularities may relate to vagal modulation dynamics, warranting further investigation.
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