Heart rate variability(HRV)analysis is a common method to non-invasively evaluate autonomic nervous function.In many studies,low frequency variability(LF,<0.15 Hz as shown in the power spectrum produced by Fast Fou...Heart rate variability(HRV)analysis is a common method to non-invasively evaluate autonomic nervous function.In many studies,low frequency variability(LF,<0.15 Hz as shown in the power spectrum produced by Fast Fourier Transformation)is taken as an indicator of sympa-thetic function and high frequency variability(HF,≥0.15 Hz)as an indicator of parasympathetic function.Based on studies on over 20 control subjects and 15 mind/body practitioners,we found that the following are important factors that influence HRV.First,the frequency of the breathing cy-cle is reflcted in the frequency of a peak in the power spectrum produced by respiratory sinus lar-rhythmia(RSA).In some cases involving younger subjects,multiple peaks can be seen in the pow-er spectrum even though they were strictly controlling their breathing at a single rate.Second,the size of the HRV peak produced by RSA is dependent on the tidal volume of each breath and the pos-ture of the subject.Third,under the same conditions,younger subjects(aging 20's-25's)general-ly show a larger RSA peak compared to older subjects(aging 50's-70's).This effect often over-shadows differences based on other considerations,such as years of experience in mind-body prac-tice.In conclusion,this study shows that HRV analysis can be a useful tool for assessing autonomic nervous function in mind-body research,but great care must be taken to control for all of the factors indicated above.展开更多
基金the Lawrence S.Rockefeller Fund Samueli Program for Energy Medicine Researchthe Joseph and Sou-Lin Lee Endowment for Tradi-tional Chinese Medicine Research
文摘Heart rate variability(HRV)analysis is a common method to non-invasively evaluate autonomic nervous function.In many studies,low frequency variability(LF,<0.15 Hz as shown in the power spectrum produced by Fast Fourier Transformation)is taken as an indicator of sympa-thetic function and high frequency variability(HF,≥0.15 Hz)as an indicator of parasympathetic function.Based on studies on over 20 control subjects and 15 mind/body practitioners,we found that the following are important factors that influence HRV.First,the frequency of the breathing cy-cle is reflcted in the frequency of a peak in the power spectrum produced by respiratory sinus lar-rhythmia(RSA).In some cases involving younger subjects,multiple peaks can be seen in the pow-er spectrum even though they were strictly controlling their breathing at a single rate.Second,the size of the HRV peak produced by RSA is dependent on the tidal volume of each breath and the pos-ture of the subject.Third,under the same conditions,younger subjects(aging 20's-25's)general-ly show a larger RSA peak compared to older subjects(aging 50's-70's).This effect often over-shadows differences based on other considerations,such as years of experience in mind-body prac-tice.In conclusion,this study shows that HRV analysis can be a useful tool for assessing autonomic nervous function in mind-body research,but great care must be taken to control for all of the factors indicated above.
