Diaphragmatic Breathing Interfaces to Promote Relaxation for Mitigating Insomnia: Pilot Study
Yi-Jen Lai1, Hsiao-Yean Chiu2, Ko-Chiu Wu1
1Department of Interaction Design, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
JMIR Serious Games
|March 7, 2025
Summary
Gamified breathing exercises can aid relaxation for insomnia. The "up/down" interface effectively reduced stress, unlike "number countdown" or "zoom-in/out" designs.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral therapy
- Human-computer interaction
- Sleep science
Background:
- Brief behavioral treatment for insomnia utilizes stimulus control and sleep restriction.
- Diaphragmatic breathing is recommended for insomnia when sleep onset exceeds 30 minutes.
- Gamification in health apps can enhance engagement but may disrupt sleep if attention is increased.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore gamification techniques for promoting relaxation without disrupting sleep.
- To investigate the relationship between game mechanics, cognitive load, relaxation, and attention.
- To understand how different breathing guidance designs affect users with varying insomnia severity.
Main Methods:
- Developed four breathing guidance mechanisms: number countdown, zoom-in/out, up/down, and color gradients.
- Assessed 33 participants with varying insomnia severity using questionnaires, physiological measures (heart rate variability, respiratory rate), and electroencephalogram (EEG).
- Measured relaxation, attention, cognitive load, and game experience using validated scales and user interviews.
Main Results:
- Competence and immersion in gamified interfaces reduced cognitive load, while challenge, negative, and positive affect correlated with relaxation.
- Cognitive load negatively impacted attention; temporal demand positively correlated with respiratory rate.
- Sleep self-efficacy was positively associated with competence and immersion, and negatively with temporal demand and negative affect.
Conclusions:
- Interfaces with moderate variability and balanced abstraction/concreteness are optimal for relaxation.
- The 'up/down' interface demonstrated the best relaxation effects; 'number countdown' and 'zoom-in/out' were less suitable.
- Careful consideration of game design elements is crucial for effective relaxation training and promoting sleep in users.
Keywords:
attentionbreathingbreathing guidancebreathing training cognitive loadbrief behavioral treatment for insomniacognitiondiaphragmatic breathinggamesgamificationinsomniamHealthmentalmobile healthquestionnairerelaxationsleepsleep self-efficacyMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
2.9K
Respiratory Depth
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
2.9K
01:14CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
1.9K
CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
1.9K
01:23Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
2.3K
Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
2.3K
01:19Management of Insomnia
785
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
785
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
981
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
981
01:27Insomnia
620
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
Multiple factors contribute...
620