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Fincham GW, Kartar A, Uthaug MV, Anderson B, Hall L, Nagai Y, Critchley H, Colasanti A. High ventilation breathwork practices: An overview of their effects, mechanisms, and considerations for clinical applications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 155:105453. [PMID: 37923236 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
High Ventilation Breathwork (HVB) refers to practices employing specific volitional manipulation of breathing, with a long history of use to relieve various forms of psychological distress. This paper seeks to offer a consolidative insight into potential clinical application of HVB as a treatment of psychiatric disorders. We thus review the characteristic phenomenological and neurophysiological effects of these practices to inform their mechanism of therapeutic action, safety profiles and future clinical applications. Clinical observations and data from neurophysiological studies indicate that HVB is associated with extraordinary changes in subjective experience, as well as with profound effects on central and autonomic nervous systems functions through modulation of neurometabolic parameters and interoceptive sensory systems. This growing evidence base may guide how the phenomenological effects of HVB can be understood, and potentially harnessed in the context of such volitional perturbation of psychophysiological state. Reports of putative beneficial effects for trauma-related, affective, and somatic disorders invite further research to obtain detailed mechanistic knowledge, and rigorous clinical testing of these potential therapeutic uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy W Fincham
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sussex, UK; University of Sussex, School of Psychology, Brighton, UK.
| | - Amy Kartar
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sussex, UK
| | - Malin V Uthaug
- The Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, UK; Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Brittany Anderson
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Lottie Hall
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sussex, UK
| | - Yoko Nagai
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sussex, UK
| | - Hugo Critchley
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sussex, UK
| | - Alessandro Colasanti
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sussex, UK; Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
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Wang SC, Hu WY, Lalande L, Chang JC, Tsai SY, Chang SC, Wen TK. Evaluation of Guided Respiration Mindfulness Therapy (GRMT) for Reducing Stress in Nurses. J Holist Nurs 2022; 41:155-167. [PMID: 35536701 DOI: 10.1177/08980101221094973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Guided respiration mindfulness therapy (GRMT) is a clinical model of breathwork that has shown promise as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and stress. This study examined the effectiveness of GRMT as a holistically oriented intervention for reducing psychological distress in nurses. Sixty-two nurses were assigned to either five sessions of GRMT or 5 sessions of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) comparison condition which were conducted over 5 weeks. A no-treatment control was also included. Session-by-session change in depression, anxiety, and stress, along with change in mindfulness and self-compassion were assessed. Multilevel analysis showed GRMT resulted in statistically significant reductions in overall psychological distress, anxiety, and stress levels, as well as significant increases in mindfulness and self-compassion with large to very large effect sizes. On all measures, GRMT performed better than the comparison MBI intervention which showed no significant effect on stress levels. Results suggest that GRMT can provide nurses with an effective group intervention for reducing stress, and increasing mindfulness and self-compassion which are foundational elements of self-care for the holistic nurse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Chen Wang
- Department of Nursing, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yu Hu
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lloyd Lalande
- 63495Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Chen Chang
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Yu Tsai
- 38005School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chuan Chang
- Department of Nursing, 59216Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Tzung-Kuen Wen
- Dila Department of Buddhist Studies, 447689Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, Taipei, Taiwan
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Uthaug MV, Mason NL, Havenith MN, Vancura M, Ramaekers JG. An experience with Holotropic Breathwork is associated with improvement in non-judgement and satisfaction with life while reducing symptoms of stress in a Czech-speaking population. JOURNAL OF PSYCHEDELIC STUDIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1556/2054.2021.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Holotropic breathwork (Grof ® Breathwork), was developed by Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof as a ‘non-drug’ alternative technique to evoke altered states of consciousness (ASC). Interestingly, although HBW has been anecdotally reported to evoke experiences and mental health effects corresponding to those of psychedelic substances, the scientific literature on the matter is scarce.
Aims
The objective of this study was to assess the (sub)acute and long-term effects of HBW on satisfaction with life, and whether these depend on the depth of the experience evoked by the HBW session.
Methods
A naturalistic observational design was employed in the present study. Between January 2019 and July 2020, 58 Czech-speaking participants who had an experience with HBW were assessed using three separate anonymous online-surveys created and hosted on Qualtrics. Assessments of mindfulness, satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety, and stress were made once prior to (baseline), and two times following (sub-acutely and 4-weeks) the participants’ experience with HBW. The ego dissolution inventory and the 5-dimensional altered states of consciousness scale was used to quantify the HBW experience.
Results
Despite low ratings of the psychedelic experience (mean range of 0–34% out of 100%), ratings of non-judgement significantly increased sub-acutely following the HBW session and persisted for 4-weeks. Stress-related symptoms significantly decreased while satisfaction with life significantly increased at 4-weeks after HBW.
Conclusion
An experience with HBW may be associated with improvement in non-judgement, satisfaction with life, and reductions of stress-related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Vedøy Uthaug
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Natasha L Mason
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Martha N Havenith
- Zero-Noise Lab, Ernst Strüngmann Institute for Neuroscience, Deutschordenstr. 46, 60528, Frankfurt a.M., Germany
| | - Michael Vancura
- Diabasis z.s., Rybničná 1, Prague 6, Prague, The Czech Republic
| | - Johannes G Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, Netherlands
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Treating PTSD with connected breathing: A clinical case study and theoretical implications. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2020.100152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Nardini-Bubols M, da Silva DS, Dos Santos-Silva A, Stagnaro OK, Irigaray TQ, Alminhana LO. The Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Approach Psychotherapy: Systematic Review and Guidelines for Research and Clinical Practice. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2019; 58:2175-2194. [PMID: 31227981 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00855-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Transpersonal approach in psychotherapy is a controversial field, and there is a lack in scientific information. A search of Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO and SciELO databases using: ["Altered states of consciousness" AND "Psychotherapy"] and ["Transpersonal" AND "Psychotherapy"] in December 2017 was conducted. From 629 articles found, 14 empirical studies were analyzed. Studies were conducted with adults, most of them women. The benefits were improvement in the treatment of substance use disorder; increased sensation of relaxation, relief of physical pain. Future studies should have rigorous experimental designs; define concepts clearly; detail the method used; present clear guidelines for the ethical boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Nardini-Bubols
- Graduation Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul/PUCRS/BR, 6681, Ipiranga Avenue, Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil.
| | - Daniele Silva da Silva
- Graduation Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul/PUCRS/BR, 6681, Ipiranga Avenue, Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Andrea Dos Santos-Silva
- Graduation Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul/PUCRS/BR, 6681, Ipiranga Avenue, Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiana Quarti Irigaray
- Graduation Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul/PUCRS/BR, 6681, Ipiranga Avenue, Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Letícia Oliveira Alminhana
- Graduation Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul/PUCRS/BR, 6681, Ipiranga Avenue, Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
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Benjamin J, Bacon C, Verhoeff W, Moran R. Preliminary development of a complex intervention for osteopathic management of dysfunctional breathing. INT J OSTEOPATH MED 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijosm.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Crockett JE, Cashwell CS, Tangen JL, Hall KH, Young JS. Breathing Characteristics and Symptoms of Psychological Distress: An Exploratory Study. COUNSELING AND VALUES 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/cvj.12023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig S. Cashwell
- Department of Counseling and Educational Development; University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| | - Jodi L. Tangen
- Department of Counseling and Educational Development; University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| | - K. Hridaya Hall
- Counselor Education and School Psychology Department; Plymouth State University
| | - J. Scott Young
- Department of Counseling and Educational Development; University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Guided Respiration Mindfulness Therapy: Development and Evaluation of a Brief Therapist Training Program. JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOTHERAPY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10879-015-9320-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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