Key result
Positive emotion induction significantly increased heart rate variability (SDNN 40.85 vs 30.42 ms) during a complex cognitive task compared to a neutral control, though it did not improve task performance.
Why the study?
To test whether inducing a positive emotional state produces an adaptive cardiovascular response and enhances coping and performance in the Tower of Hanoi task.
Does positive emotion induction improve cardiovascular coping and cognitive performance in participants performing a cognitive task?
RCT (n=42)
Single-blind
Randomly distributed
No
Does positive emotion induction improve cardiovascular coping and cognitive performance in participants performing a cognitive task?
Absolute Event Rate: 40.85% vs 30.42%
p-value: p=0.019
Experiencing positive emotions favors an adaptive psychophysiological response (increased HRV) when faced with a complex cognitive task, though it does not improve task performance.
Positive emotion induction raises HRV during cognitive stress without performance gains; leaves open clinical utility for coping or resilience.
Feeling positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive cardiovascular response (greater heart rate variability, HRV), associated with improved cognitive performance. This study aims to test whether the induction of a positive emotional state produce such cardiovascular response and therefore, enhance coping and performance in Tower of Hanoi (ToH). Forty-two Participants were randomly distributed into two groups (Experimental and Control). Experimental group was subjected to the evocation of a memory of success, while control group was subjected to an attentional task before performing ToH. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), activity of the zygomatic major muscle (ZEMG) and emotions were measured. Emotional induction increased ZEMG activity, feelings of emotional valence and HRV, but the performance in ToH was not different from control. Experiencing positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive psychophysiological response when faced with a complex cognitive task. These results are discussed in relation to clinical practice and health.
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Molins et al. (2021) conducted an RCT in Healthy volunteers (n=42). Positive emotional induction vs. Attentional task (neutral text) was evaluated on Heart rate variability (SDNN) during Tower of Hanoi task (p=0.019). Positive emotion induction significantly increased heart rate variability (SDNN 40.85 vs 30.42 ms) during a complex cognitive task compared to a neutral control, though it did not improve task performance.
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