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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 185-205 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Journal of Experimental Psychopathology |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Breathing regulation
- Dynamic Systems Perspective
- Relaxation training
- Respiration
- Respiratory variability