Physiological Features of Central Nervous System Functioning under the Influence of Speleoclimatotherapy

The physiological response of primary school-age children to speleoclimatotherapy may depend on autonomic regulation, since autonomic mechanisms contribute to adaptive reactions of the body. The aim of the study was to assess the dynamics of simple and complex visual-motor reaction parameters in children aged 7–10 years after a course of speleoclimatotherapy, taking into account the dominant type of autonomic regulation. A total of 298 children aged 7–10 years were examined, including 169 children in the experimental group and 129 children in the comparison group. Before and after the intervention period, heart rate variability, simple visual-motor reaction, and complex visual-motor reaction parameters were recorded using the PTU-1/30 Psychophysiologist psychophysiological testing unit (Medicom MTD, Russia). The dominant type of autonomic regulation was determined based on heart rate variability parameters. Children in the experimental group underwent speleoclimatotherapy, whereas children in the comparison group did not receive it. The distribution of children according to the dominant type of autonomic regulation did not differ significantly between the groups. In the simple visual-motor reaction test, a decrease in the number of errors was observed in the experimental group in children with a balanced type of regulation. In the complex visual-motor reaction test, children with a balanced type of regulation and those with predominant sympathetic modulation showed increased task accuracy and a higher level of central nervous system activation. In children with predominant parasympathetic influences, the changes were less pronounced, since some shifts were also recorded in the comparison group. After speleoclimatotherapy, the changes are mainly concerned with the accuracy and stability of the sensorimotor response rather than the speed of visual-motor responding.