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Resonant frequency biofeedback training to increase cardiac variability: rationale and manual for training
P M Lehrer1, E Vaschillo, B Vaschillo
1Department of Psychiatry, Robert W. Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. lehrer@umdnj.edu
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
|September 22, 2000
Summary
Biofeedback training enhances heart rate variability by optimizing respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) at 0.1 Hz. This method may improve baroreflex efficiency through resonant frequency breathing.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cardiovascular Regulation
- Biofeedback
Background:
- Healthy individuals exhibit complex heart rate and blood pressure variability with multifrequency oscillations.
- These oscillations are linked to the activity of homeostatic reflexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of biofeedback training on respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) amplitude.
- To test the hypothesis that this biofeedback enhances baroreflex efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Biofeedback training was employed to increase RSA amplitude.
- Participants slowed breathing to approximately 0.1 Hz to achieve resonance between respiratory and endogenous oscillations.
- Baroreflex activity was considered a potential trigger for these oscillations.
Main Results:
- Biofeedback maximally increased heart rate oscillations at approximately 0.1 Hz.
- This suggests a resonance effect between breathing rate and intrinsic physiological rhythms.
Conclusions:
- The described biofeedback method, focusing on resonant frequency breathing, appears to exercise and improve baroreflex efficiency.
- A manual for this technique is provided, supported by empirical data.