The effect of a one-session slow breathing exercise on emotional reactivity, heart rate, and blood pressure in alexithymic vs. non-alexithymic individuals

Alexithymic individuals experience difficulties in emotion regulation at both emotional and somatic levels. Some studies suggest that breathing interventions might compensate for these impairments. The main aim of the present study was to test whether a one-session breathing exercise affects emotional reactivity, blood pressure, and heart rate in alexithymic vs. non-alexithymic individuals. Based on their TAS-20 scores from the screening part of the study ( n = 210), participants were allocated to an alexithymic ( n = 27) or non-alexithymic group ( n = 29). They underwent negative mood induction and they were randomly allocated to one of the breathing training conditions (faster – 12 breaths/minute vs. slower – 6 breaths/minute). Their mood, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured 3 times throughout the study. The results revealed a marginally significant interaction between alexithymia and breathing exercise for the arousal dimension of emotional reactivity. Alexithymic participants who underwent slower breathing reported lower arousal, akin to non-alexithymic participants but contrary to participants after faster breathing, who reported higher arousal. Additionally, alexithymic participants, after the slower-breathing exercise, experienced a significant drop in HR. We did not observe any significant effects on blood pressure. The present findings suggest that breathing-based strategies may warrant further investigation as a simple approach to supporting emotional and physiological recovery in individuals with alexithymic traits. Given the preliminary nature of the evidence, these findings require confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies.