Effect of Resonance Breathing on Heart Rate Variability and Cognitive Functions in Young Adults: A Randomised Controlled Study

Introduction:
Heart rate variability (HRV) is an important physiological biomarker of wellbeing, mood, and adaptation, and hence improvements in HRV signify improved health, mood, and adaptation to stress. Resonance breathing has consistently been shown to increase HRV, mood, and adaptability. The study investigated the effects of four-week training of resonance breathing in young adults on HRV, stress, and cognition functions.

Methods:
The randomized controlled study was conducted on young men (18-30 years) after obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee approval and written informed consent from the participants. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the resonance breathing (RB) group. Baseline parameters, along with heart rate variability, trail tests for cognition, and perceived stress level, were assessed in both groups. After undergoing four weeks of training, the intervention group practiced deep breathing at the resonance frequency for 20 minutes per day for four weeks, whereas the control group did not. All parameters were recorded again after four weeks of resonance breathing.

Results:
No difference was observed in the HRV parameters in the control group at baseline and four weeks after the baseline recording (p>0.05). In the intervention group, there was a significant improvement in the HRV parameters, the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN), the proportion derived by dividing NN50 by the total number of NN intervals (pNN50), and total power, after practicing four weeks of resonance breathing (p<0.05). A significant difference in these parameters was also observed in the control and intervention groups after four weeks (p<0.05). There was a significant improvement in the Trails A and B test performance in the intervention group after practicing for four weeks of RB. Similarly, the perceived stress score decreased significantly in the RB group in comparison to its baseline value as well as the control group value. Conclusion: Increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic activity were observed after practicing 20 minutes of resonance frequency breathing every day for four weeks. It also improved cognition and reduced perceived stress levels among young adults. It is recommended that young adults should practice deep breathing at the resonance frequency for a few minutes every day. This would allay anxiety and stress, improve their cognitive performance, and also reduce their cardiovascular morbidity.

Keywords: cardiovascular morbidity; cognition; heart rate variability; perceived stress; resonance frequency breathing.

PMID: 35308668 PMCID: PMC8924557 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.22187