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Controlled breathing and autonomic rhythms: Influence of auditory versus visual cues
Joshua E Gonzalez1, Stephanie R Jewell1, Steven P Stelly1
1Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States of America.
Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical
|October 17, 2021
Summary
Controlled breathing cues did not alter autonomic control metrics compared to spontaneous breathing. While auditory cues felt harder, physiological stress responses were similar across all breathing conditions.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Respiratory Control
Background:
- Autonomic control influences physiological responses during breathing.
- Understanding how external cues affect breathing and autonomic function is crucial.
- Previous research has explored biofeedback for respiratory regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare autonomic control metrics during spontaneous breathing versus controlled breathing using auditory and visual cues.
- To investigate the physiological impact of different breathing guidance methods.
- To assess subjective perceptions of breathing control difficulty.
Main Methods:
- Twenty healthy adults (10 female) participated.
- Autonomic function was assessed during spontaneous breathing.
- Controlled breathing was performed at 0.25 Hz using auditory (metronome) or visual (scrolling waveforms) cues.
- Metrics included respiratory rate, heart rate, heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity.
Main Results:
- Respiratory and heart rates were lower during spontaneous breathing compared to both auditory and visual cue conditions.
- One heart rate variability metric was significantly higher during visual cue breathing versus spontaneous breathing.
- Baroreflex sensitivity and muscle sympathetic nerve activity remained unaffected by breathing cues.
- 86% of participants found auditory cues more difficult than visual cues, yet this did not correlate with physiological stress.
Conclusions:
- Breathing cues (auditory/visual) at 0.25 Hz do not significantly alter key autonomic control measures like baroreflex sensitivity or muscle sympathetic nerve activity compared to spontaneous breathing.
- While perceived difficulty varies between cue types, the physiological impact on autonomic control is minimal.
- These findings suggest that external breathing cues may not profoundly influence autonomic regulation in the short term, despite subjective experiences.
Keywords:
Baroreflex sensitivityHeart rate variabilityMuscle sympathetic nerve activityPaced breathingMore Related Videos
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