Perspect Nurs Sci.  2017 Oct;14(2):64-69. 10.16952/pns.2017.14.2.64.

The Relationship and Mechanism Underlying the Effect of Conscious Breathing on the Autonomic Nervous System and Brain Waves

• Kang SW

• KMID: 2394901
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16952/pns.2017.14.2.64

Abstract

PURPOSE
Breathing can be controlled either unconsciously or consciously. In Asian countries, various conscious breathing-control techniques have been practiced for many years to promote health and wellbeing. However, the exact mechanism underlying these techniques has not yet been established. The purpose of this study is to explore the physiological mechanism explaining how conscious breathing control could affect the autonomic nervous system, brain activity, and mental changes.
METHODS
The coupling phenomenon among breathing rhythm, heart rate variability, and brain waves was explored theoretically based on the research hypothesis and a review of the literature.
RESULTS
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia is a well-known phenomenon in which heart rate changes to become synchronized with breathing: inhalation increases heart rate and exhalation decreases it. HRV BFB training depends on conscious breathing control. During coherent sinusoidal heart rate changes, brain α waves could be enhanced. An increase in α waves was also found and the synchronicity between heart beat rhythm and brain wave became strengthened during meditation.
CONCLUSION
In addition to the effect of emotion on breathing patterns, conscious breathing could change heart beat rhythms and brainwaves, and subsequently affect emotional status.

Keyword

Respiration; Autonomic nervous system; Brain waves; Electroencephalography; Synchronicity

MeSH Terms

Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Autonomic Nervous System*
Brain Waves*
Brain*
Electroencephalography
Exhalation
Heart
Heart Rate
Humans
Inhalation
Meditation
Respiration*
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Diagram of interconnection among respiration, heart beat and brain wave.

Reference

1. Kabat-Zinn J. An outpatient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: theoretical considerations and preliminary results. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1982; 4(1):33–47.

2. Miller JJ, Fletcher K, Kabat-Zinn J. Three-year follow-up and clinical implications of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1995; 17(3):192–200.

3. Marlatt GA, Kristeller JL. Mindfulness and meditation. In : Miller WR, editor. Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners. reprinted. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association;1999. p. 67–84.

4. Murphy M, Donovan S, Taylor E. The physical and psychological effects of meditation: a review of contemporary research. Institute of Noetic Sciences;1997.

5. Hilton L, Hempel S, Ewing BA, Apaydin E, Xenakis L, Newberry S, et al. Mindfulness meditation for chronic pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Behav Med. 2017; 51(2):199–213. DOI: 10.1007/s12160-016-9844-2.

6. Davidson RJ, Kabat-Zinn J, Schumacher J, Rosenkranz M, Muller D, Santorelli SF, et al. Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation. Psychosom Med. 2003; 65(4):564–570.

7. Colzato LS, Ozturk A, Hommel B. Meditate to create: the impact of focused-attention and open-monitoring training on convergent and divergent thinking. Front Psychol. 2012; 3:116. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00116.

8. Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Yoga breathing, meditation, and longevity. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009; 1172(1):54–62. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04394.x.

9. Nolan RP, Kamath MV, Floras JS, Stanley J, Pang C, Picton P, et al. Heart rate variability biofeedback as a behavioral neurocardiac intervention to enhance vagal heart rate control. Am Heart J. 2005; 149(6):1137. DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2005.03.015.

10. Lehrer PM, Vaschillo E, Vaschillo B. Resonant frequency biofeedback training to increase cardiac variability: Rationale and manual for training. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2000; 25(3):177–191.

11. Baron Short E, Kose S, Mu Q, Borckardt J, Newberg A, George MS, et al. Regional brain activation during meditation shows time and practice effects: an exploratory FMRI study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2010; 7(1):121–127. DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nem163.

12. Kakigi R, Nakata H, Inui K, Hiroe N, Nagata O, Honda M, et al. Intracerebral pain processing in a yoga master who claims not to feel pain during meditation. Eur J Pain. 2005; 9(5):581–589. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2004.12.006.

13. Kerr CE, Jones SR, Wan Q, Pritchett DL, Wasserman RH, Wexler A, et al. Effects of mindfulness meditation training on anticipatory alpha modulation in primary somatosensory cortex. Brain Res Bull. 2011; 85(3):96–103. DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.03.026.

14. Huang HY, Lo PC. EEG dynamics of experienced Zen meditation practitioners probed by complexity index and spectral measure. J Med Eng Technol. 2009; 33(4):314–321. DOI: 10.1080/03091900802602677.

15. Cahn BR, Polich J. Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. Psychol Bull. 2006; 132(2):180–211. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.132.2.180.

16. Smith JC, Ellenberger HH, Ballanyi K, Richter DW, Feldman JL. Pre-Bötzinger complex: a brainstem region that may generate respiratory rhythm in mammals. Science. 1991; 254(5032):726–729.

17. Bonham A. Neurotransmitters in the CNS control of breathing. Respir Physiol. 1995; 101(3):219–230.

18. Hayano J, Yasuma F, Okada A, Mukai S, Fujinami T. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Circulation. 1996; 94(4):842–847.

19. Telles S, Nagarathna R, Nagendra H. Autonomic changes during “OM” meditation. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1995; 39:418–420.

20. Sudsuang R, Chentanez V, Veluvan K. Effect of Buddhist meditation on serum cortisol and total protein levels, blood pressure, pulse rate, lung volume and reaction time. Physiol Behav. 1991; 50(3):543–548.

21. Takahashi T, Murata T, Hamada T, Omori M, Kosaka H, Kikuchi M, et al. Changes in EEG and autonomic nervous activity during meditation and their association with personality traits. Int J Psychophysiol. 2005; 55(2):199–207. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2004.07.004.

22. Kim DK, Rhee JH, Kang SW. Reorganization of the brain and heart rhythm during autogenic meditation. Front Integr Neurosci. 2014; 7:109. DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2013.00109.

23. Valenza G, Greco A, Gentili C, Lanata A, Sebastiani L, Menicucci D, et al. Combining electroencephalographic activity and instantaneous heart rate for assessing brain-heart dynamics during visual emotional elicitation in healthy subjects. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci. 2016; 374(2067):20150176. DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2015.0176.

24. Dziembowska I, Izdebski P, Rasmus A, Brudny J, Grzelczak M, Cysewski P. Effects of heart rate variability biofeedback on EEG alpha asymmetry and anxiety symptoms in male athletes: A pilot study. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2016; 41(2):141–150. DOI: 10.1007/s10484-015-9319-4.

25. Bing-Canar H, Pizzuto J, Compton RJ. Mindfulness-of-breathing exercise modulates EEG alpha activity during cognitive performance. Psychophysiology. 2016; 53(9):1366–1376. DOI: 10.1111/psyp.12678.