The Effects of Breath-Counting Meditation on Sasang Constitution

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out whether or not there are differences of effects when we count breaths on inspiration or expiration, and how differently the effects show up according to gender or Sasang Constitution Methods A group of 79 participants were enrolled and diagnosed Sasang Constitution by Sasang Constitution Diagnosis System of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine. Physical responses to respiratory changes were measured by Biofeedback sensors that were attached to the participants while they were seated comfortably on a sofa and breathing normally without counting for 5 minutes, counting on inspiration for 5 minutes, and counting on expiration for 5 minutes. Results and Conclusions 1. Mean heart rate and respiration rate decreased in association with breathing counting on inspiration and expiration more than breathing normally without counting. Especially respiration rate was stabilized during counting on inspiration and mean heart rate was stabilized during counting on expiration. 2. Interaction between breathing methods and gender did not appear. In comparison between gender, LF/HF ratio was higher in male during breathing normally without counting and counting on inspiration. Body temperature was higher in male during counting on inspiration and expiration. 3. Interaction between breathing methods and Sasang Constitution did not appear. In comparison between Sasang Constitution, mean heart rate was higher in Soyang-in, Soeum-in than Taeeum-in and abdominal amplitude was lower in Taeeum-in than Soeum-in.