What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to assess how varying the exhalation to inhalation ratio affects heart rate variability in healthy individuals.

July 20, 2021Psychophysiology

Increased exhalation to inhalation ratio during breathing enhances high‐frequency heart rate variability in healthy adults

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Paced breathing with a 2:1 exhalation to inhalation ratio acutely increased RMSSD and HF-HRV compared to a 1:1 ratio, indicating enhanced cardiac vagal tone.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Other. Population: Healthy adults (n=28). Intervention: Paced breathing with 2:1 exhalation to inhalation ratio vs. Paced breathing with 1:1 exhalation to inhalation ratio. Primary outcome: Heart rate variability metrics (RMSSD and HF-HRV).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Paced breathing with a 2:1 exhalation to inhalation ratio acutely increases RMSSD and HF-HRV compared to a 1:1 ratio, indicating enhanced cardiac vagal tone. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Key result

Paced 2:1 exhalation-to-inhalation breathing acutely increases RMSSD and HF-HRV versus 1:1, indicating enhanced vagal tone.

n=28

Why the study?

Heart rate variability reflects autonomic balance, but the impact of manipulating the exhalation to inhalation ratio without altering intrinsic breathing rate remained unclear.

Does a longer exhalation to inhalation ratio (2:1) increase heart rate variability compared to an equal ratio (1:1) in healthy adults?

Population

28 individuals including 16 young and 12 older adults

Comparison

2:1 breathing cue vs 1:1 sound cue

Authors

DBDalbyeol BaeBaycrest Hospital JMJacob J. L. MatthewsBaycrest Hospital JCJ. Jean ChenUniversity of Toronto

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

May offer simple acute vagal enhancement in healthy adults; leaves open clinical translation and sustained effects.

Key Points

The study aims to assess how varying the exhalation to inhalation ratio affects heart rate variability in healthy individuals.
Twenty-eight participants completed breathing tasks with distinct exhalation to inhalation ratios, specifically 1:1 and 2:1 cues.
Participants' heart rate variability was monitored using electrocardiogram measurements during and after the tasks.
Residual effects of the breathing tasks were assessed through paced 1:1 breathing after the main tasks.
The exhalation to inhalation ratio was significantly greater in the 2:1 condition (1.33) compared to the 1:1 condition (1.08) (p < 0.05).
Both RMSSD and HF-HRV metrics were significantly higher during the 2:1 task compared to the 1:1 condition (exact metrics not provided).
HF-HRV remained elevated for four minutes after the 2:1 task, indicating prolonged effects on heart rate variability.

Structured PICO

Does a longer exhalation to inhalation ratio (2:1) increase heart rate variability compared to an equal ratio (1:1) in healthy adults?

Population

28 healthy individuals (16 young [6 male, age 21-28]; 12 older adults [6 male, age 66-80])

Intervention

Paced breathing with a 2:1 cue (exhalation twice as long as inhalation) according to intrinsic respiratory rate

Comparator

Paced breathing with a 1:1 sound cue (equal exhalation and inhalation duration)

Outcome

Heart rate variability (HRV) metrics derived from electrocardiogram, including root mean square of the successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD) and high-frequency (HF) HRVsurrogate

A longer duration of exhalation relative to inhalation acutely increases heart rate variability, suggesting an enhancement of cardiac vagal tone.

Cite This Study

Bae et al. (2021) studied Healthy adults (n=28). Paced breathing with 2:1 exhalation to inhalation ratio vs. Paced breathing with 1:1 exhalation to inhalation ratio was evaluated on Heart rate variability metrics (RMSSD and HF-HRV). Paced breathing with a 2:1 exhalation to inhalation ratio acutely increased RMSSD and HF-HRV compared to a 1:1 ratio, indicating enhanced cardiac vagal tone.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1305c51100fc8528c0b58e https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13905

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Increased exhalation to inhalation ratio during breathing enhances high‐frequency heart rate variability in healthy adults

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Increased exhalation to inhalation ratio during breathing enhances high‐frequency heart rate variability in healthy adults

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider