The Influence of Relaxation Training on Respiratory Variability and Self-Reported Relaxation

Ruth Wuyts, Elke Vlemincx, Ilse Van Diest, Omer Van den Bergh*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

From a dynamic systems perspective, healthy breathing is characterized by complex variability. However, slow regular breathing instructions are often included in relaxation techniques. This study investigates the influence of relaxation training on natural breathing dynamics. Spontaneous breathing was measured in healthy persons during 5 sessions of relaxation training without breathing instructions (N = 29) vs. during quiet sitting resembling spontaneous relaxation (N = 29). Each session started with 10 minutes baseline recordings and ended with a mental stressor and a recovery phase. Results showed no differences between conditions in subjective relaxation and mean respiratory parameters. However, structured breath-to-breath variability increased across sessions during baseline and stress in the relaxation group only. In the control group, total variability increased across sessions during stress without concomitant changes in structured variability. The results point to the importance of respiratory variability in breathing regulation and suggest integration of a dynamic systems perspective in relaxation research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-205
Number of pages21
JournalJournal of Experimental Psychopathology
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Breathing regulation
  • Dynamic Systems Perspective
  • Relaxation training
  • Respiration
  • Respiratory variability

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