Meditators exhibited greater breath amplitude than non-meditators but showed no significant difference in changes of breath-to-breath interval or breath amplitude across meditation and cognitive stress conditions (group × condition interaction p>0.5).
Does meditation experience attenuate respiratory changes (breath-to-breath interval and amplitude) during acute cognitive stress?
Meditation experience is associated with greater overall breath amplitude but does not significantly alter acute respiratory rate or amplitude responses to cognitive stress compared to non-meditators.
Effect estimate: No significant group x condition interaction (BBI: F=0.34, p=0.61; amplitude: F=0.60, p=0.56)
Abstract Objectives Prior research has established a correlation between heightened stress and a variety of health consequences. In addition, various measures of stress have been shown to be affected by mind–body practices. This secondary data analysis aimed to evaluate respiratory responses to acute cognitive stress in individuals of various meditation experience levels. Method Breath-to-breath interval (BBI) and respiration amplitude were recorded during four conditions using a piezoelectric chest belt. The effects of condition and group were evaluated using repeated measures ANOVA. The group x condition interaction of the non-meditator ( n = 15) and meditator ( n = 30) groups was the primary effect of interest. Results The group x condition interaction was not significant for BBI ( F 1.26,42.70 = 0.34, p = 0.61) or amplitude ( F 2.09,71.02 = 0.60, p = 0.56). Regarding BBI, the main effect of condition ( F 1.26,42.70 = 21.94, p < 0.01) was significant, while the main effect of group ( F 1,34 = 0.05, p = 0.83) was not significant. Regarding breath amplitude, the main effect of condition ( F 2.09,71.02 = 34.39, p < 0.01) was significant, while the main effect of group was not significant ( F 1,34 = 2.81, p = 0.10). Conclusions Meditators exhibited greater breath amplitude than non-meditators. Changes in BBI and breath amplitude across conditions did not differ significantly by group; however, the absence of a significant group × condition interaction should be interpreted cautiously given the secondary nature of the analysis and limited power to detect interaction effects. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.
Wexler et al. (Thu,) conducted a other in Adults with various meditation experience levels undergoing controlled stress and meditation tasks (n=45). Meditation (breath counting meditation) vs. Non-meditators (no meditation experience) was evaluated on Breath amplitude and breath-to-breath interval (BBI) during breath counting meditation and cognitive stress tasks (No significant group x condition interaction (BBI: F=0.34, p=0.61; amplitude: F=0.60, p=0.56)). Meditators exhibited greater breath amplitude than non-meditators but showed no significant difference in changes of breath-to-breath interval or breath amplitude across meditation and cognitive stress conditions (group × condition interaction p>0.5).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: