Personalization and optimization of breathing protocols for relaxation: A randomized crossover trial

Background Chronic stress is a common antecedent of physical and mental disease. Self-regulation of autonomic arousal with breath control is a simple and accessible antidote to acute and chronic stress. Aims We aim to personalize and optimize breathing protocols to help people self-regulate their autonomic arousal. Self-regulation skills can reduce chronic stress and improve mental health outcomes. Method We conducted a randomized, counterbalanced crossover trial with 42 participants to compare the relaxing effects of three breathing protocols varying in the instructed breathing frequency. We measured the breathing frequency with a chest strap to check compliance. Assessment of relaxation included self-reported relaxation, heart rate variability, peripheral temperature, skin conductance, and EEG frequency band analyses. Additionally, we will do subgroup analyses based on self-reported expertise with relaxation therapies and anxious-depressive symptoms to predict relaxation responses to breathing protocols. Results At this point, we cannot report any results. We are currently extracting and aggregating the data for statistical analyses. Conclusion To be determined     «

Background Chronic stress is a common antecedent of physical and mental disease. Self-regulation of autonomic arousal with breath control is a simple and accessible antidote to acute and chronic stress. Aims We aim to personalize and optimize breathing protocols to help people self-regulate their autonomic arousal. Self-regulation skills can reduce chronic stress and improve mental health outcomes. Method We conducted a randomized, counterbalanced crossover trial with 42 participants to com...     »