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Blaser BL, Weymar M, Wendt J. Premenstrual syndrome is associated with differences in heart rate variability and attentional control throughout the menstrual cycle: A pilot study. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 204:112374. [PMID: 38823422 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most persons with an active menstrual cycle suffer from a range of aversive symptoms (e.g. reduced ability to concentrate) in the days before their menstruation - the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Biological and cognitive mechanisms of PMS are poorly understood. It has been shown that vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), a physiological marker of self-regulation, decreases during the PMS-affected cycle phase (luteal phase) only in individuals with high PMS symptomology. This study investigates the specific associations between vmHRV, PMS symptomology and cognitive self-regulation (attentional control). METHODS In this between-subject study, participants completed an vmHRV baseline measurement through electrocardiography, a reaction time paradigm to measure attentional control (modified attention network test revised, ANT-R) and filled out a questionnaire regarding impact of PMS as well as current menstrual phase. RESULTS Mixed Model analysis showed interactions effects in the hypothesized direction. VmHRV was decreased during the luteal phase only in individuals with higher PMS. Analogously, performance in the Executive Functioning of the ANT-R task was reduced in the luteal compared to the follicular phase only in individuals with increased PMS symptoms. No effects were found in the Orienting Network Score. DISCUSSION The results point in the direction of associations between vmHRV, PMS and self-regulation. This could hint at common underlying mechanisms. Further research, however, must be conducted to examine causal pathways to confirm these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenike L Blaser
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julia Wendt
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Akbari-Lalimi H, Shafiei SA, Momennezhad M, Zare H, Talaei A, Naseri S. The effect of considering eye movement time in evaluating the efficiency of attentional networks. Psych J 2024; 13:588-597. [PMID: 38298162 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The attention network test (ANT) is a tool for assessing the executive, alerting, and orienting components of attention. However, conflicting findings exist regarding the nature and correlation between attention networks. This study aims to investigate the influence of eye movement time on the assessment of attention network efficiency. Forty male students, with an average age of 20.8 ± 1.3 years, participated in the study. The revised attention network test was conducted concurrently with the recording of the electrooculogram signal. The electrooculogram signal was used to estimate eye placement time on target stimuli. Considering eye movement time for calculating the score of each network was proposed as a novel method. The study explored the nature of attention networks and their relationships, and revealed significant effects for attention networks with and without considering the eye movement time. Additionally, a significant correlation is observed between the alerting and orienting networks. However, no significant correlation is found between attention networks using the proposed method. Considering eye movement time alters the assessment of attention network efficiency and modifies the correlation among attention networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Akbari-Lalimi
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Shafiei
- Neuroscience Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Mahdi Momennezhad
- Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hoda Zare
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Talaei
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Shahrokh Naseri
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Blaser BL, Weymar M, Wendt J. Alleviating premenstrual symptoms with smartphone-based heart rate variability biofeedback training: a pilot study. Front Digit Health 2024; 6:1337667. [PMID: 38946728 PMCID: PMC11211633 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2024.1337667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is a well-studied intervention known for its positive effects on emotional, cognitive, and physiological well-being, including relief from depressive symptoms. However, its practical use is hampered by high costs and a lack of trained professionals. Smartphone-based HRVB, which eliminates the need for external devices, offers a promising alternative, albeit with limited research. Additionally, premenstrual symptoms are highly prevalent among menstruating individuals, and there is a need for low-cost, accessible interventions with minimal side effects. With this pilot study, we aim to test, for the first time, the influence of smartphone-based HRVB on depressive and premenstrual symptoms, as well as anxiety/stress symptoms and attentional control. Methods Twenty-seven participants with above-average premenstrual or depressive symptoms underwent a 4-week photoplethysmography smartphone-based HRVB intervention using a waitlist-control design. Laboratory sessions were conducted before and after the intervention, spaced exactly 4 weeks apart. Assessments included resting vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), attentional control via the revised attention network test (ANT-R), depressive symptoms assessed with the BDI-II questionnaire, and stress/anxiety symptoms measured using the DASS questionnaire. Premenstrual symptomatology was recorded through the PAF questionnaire if applicable. Data analysis employed linear mixed models. Results We observed improvements in premenstrual, depressive, and anxiety/stress symptoms, as well as the Executive Functioning Score of the ANT-R during the intervention period but not during the waitlist phase. However, we did not find significant changes in vmHRV or the Orienting Score of the ANT-R. Discussion These findings are promising, both in terms of the effectiveness of smartphone-based HRVB and its potential to alleviate premenstrual symptoms. Nevertheless, to provide a solid recommendation regarding the use of HRVB for improving premenstrual symptoms, further research with a larger sample size is needed to replicate these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenike Lisa Blaser
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julia Wendt
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Wang NN, Yu SF, Dang P, Su R, Li H, Ma HL, Liu M, Zhang DL. The neuroimmune pathway of high-altitude adaptation: influence of erythrocytes on attention networks through inflammation and the autonomic nervous system. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1373136. [PMID: 38638694 PMCID: PMC11024340 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1373136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Many studies have shown that the functional adaptation of immigrants to high-altitude is closely related to oxygen transport, inflammatory response and autonomic nervous system. However, it remains unclear how human attention changes in response to hypoxia-induced neurophysiological activity during high-altitude exposure. Methods In the present study, we analyzed the relationship between hypoxic-induced neurophysiological responses and attention networks in 116 immigrants (3,680 m) using an attention network test to simultaneously record electroencephalogram and electrocardiogram in combination with specific routine blood markers. Results Our analysis revealed that red blood cells exert an indirect influence on the three attention networks, mediated through inflammatory processes and heart rate variability. Discussion The present study provides experimental evidence for the role of a neuroimmune pathway in determining human attention performance at high- altitude. Our findings have implications for understanding the complex interactions between physiological and neurocognitive processes in immigrants adapting to hypoxic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian-Nian Wang
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition, and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Fang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition, and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Dang
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Rui Su
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Hao Li
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Hai-Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition, and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - De-Long Zhang
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition, and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Educational Sciences, Kashi University, Kashi, China
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Vanutelli ME, Grigis C, Lucchiari C. Breathing Right… or Left! The Effects of Unilateral Nostril Breathing on Psychological and Cognitive Wellbeing: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2024; 14:302. [PMID: 38671954 PMCID: PMC11048276 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of controlled breathing on cognitive and affective processing has been recognized since ancient times, giving rise to multiple practices aimed at achieving different psychophysical states, mostly related to mental clarity and focus, stress reduction, and relaxation. Previous scientific research explored the effects of forced unilateral nostril breathing (UNB) on brain activity and emotional and cognitive functions. Some evidence concluded that it had a contralateral effect, while other studies presented controversial results, making it difficult to come to an unambiguous interpretation. Also, a few studies specifically addressed wellbeing. In the present study, we invited a pilot sample of 20 participants to take part in an 8-day training program for breathing, and each person was assigned to either a unilateral right nostril (URNB) or left nostril breathing condition (ULNB). Then, each day, we assessed the participants' wellbeing indices using their moods and mind wandering scales. The results revealed that, after the daily practice, both groups reported improved wellbeing perception. However, the effect was specifically related to the nostril involved. URNB produced more benefits in terms of stress reduction and relaxation, while ULNB significantly and increasingly reduced mind-wandering occurrences over time. Our results suggest that UNB can be effectively used to increase wellbeing in the general population. Additionally, they support the idea that understanding the effects of unilateral breathing on wellbeing and cognition requires a complex interpretive model with multiple brain networks to address bottom-up and top-down processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elide Vanutelli
- Department of Philosophy “Piero Martinetti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.E.V.); (C.G.)
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Grigis
- Department of Philosophy “Piero Martinetti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.E.V.); (C.G.)
| | - Claudio Lucchiari
- Department of Philosophy “Piero Martinetti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.E.V.); (C.G.)
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Blaser BL, Weymar M, Wendt J. The effect of a single-session heart rate variability biofeedback on attentional control: does stress matter? Front Psychol 2023; 14:1292983. [PMID: 38034309 PMCID: PMC10687403 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1292983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Vagally mediated heart rate variability is an index of autonomic nervous system activity that is associated with a large variety of outcome variables including psychopathology and self-regulation. While practicing heart rate variability biofeedback over several weeks has been reliably associated with a number of positive outcomes, its acute effects are not well known. As the strongest association with vagally mediated heart rate variability has been found particularly within the attention-related subdomain of self-regulation, we investigated the acute effect of heart rate variability biofeedback on attentional control using the revised Attention Network Test. Methods Fifty-six participants were tested in two sessions. In one session each participant received a heart rate variability biofeedback intervention, and in the other session a control intervention of paced breathing at a normal ventilation rate. After the biofeedback or control intervention, participants completed the Attention Network Test using the Orienting Score as a measure of attentional control. Results Mixed models revealed that higher resting baseline vagally mediated heart rate variability was associated with better performance in attentional control, which suggests more efficient direction of attention to target stimuli. There was no significant main effect of the intervention on attentional control. However, an interaction effect indicated better performance in attentional control after biofeedback in individuals who reported higher current stress levels. Discussion The results point to acute beneficial effects of heart rate variability biofeedback on cognitive performance in highly stressed individuals. Although promising, the results need to be replicated in larger or more targeted samples in order to reach stronger conclusions about the effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenike L. Blaser
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julia Wendt
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Nashiro K, Yoo HJ, Cho C, Min J, Feng T, Nasseri P, Bachman SL, Lehrer P, Thayer JF, Mather M. Effects of a Randomised Trial of 5-Week Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Intervention on Cognitive Function: Possible Benefits for Inhibitory Control. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2023; 48:35-48. [PMID: 36030457 PMCID: PMC9420180 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-022-09558-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Previous research suggests that higher heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with better cognitive function. However, since most previous findings on the relationship between HRV and cognitive function were correlational in nature, it is unclear whether individual differences in HRV play a causal role in cognitive performance. To investigate whether there are causal relationships, we used a simple breathing manipulation that increases HRV through a 5-week HRV biofeedback intervention and examined whether this manipulation improves cognitive performance in younger and older adults (N = 165). The 5-week HRV biofeedback intervention did not significantly improve inhibitory control, working memory and processing speed across age groups. However, improvement in the Flanker score (a measure of inhibition) was associated with the amplitude of heart rate oscillations during practice sessions in the younger and older intervention groups. Our results suggest that daily practice to increase heart rate oscillations may improve inhibitory control, but future studies using longer intervention periods are warranted to replicate the present finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| | - Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Tiantian Feng
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Padideh Nasseri
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shelby L Bachman
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | | | | | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
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Riganello F, Vatrano M, Tonin P, Cerasa A, Cortese MD. Heart Rate Complexity and Autonomic Modulation Are Associated with Psychological Response Inhibition in Healthy Subjects. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:152. [PMID: 36673293 PMCID: PMC9857955 DOI: 10.3390/e25010152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND the ability to suppress/regulate impulsive reactions has been identified as common factor underlying the performance in all executive function tasks. We analyzed the HRV signals (power of high (HF) and low (LF) frequency, Sample Entropy (SampEn), and Complexity Index (CI)) during the execution of cognitive tests to assess flexibility, inhibition abilities, and rule learning. METHODS we enrolled thirty-six healthy subjects, recording five minutes of resting state and two tasks of increasing complexity based on 220 visual stimuli with 12 × 12 cm red and white squares on a black background. RESULTS at baseline, CI was negatively correlated with age, and LF was negatively correlated with SampEn. In Task 1, the CI and LF/HF were negatively correlated with errors. In Task 2, the reaction time positively correlated with the CI and the LF/HF ratio errors. Using a binary logistic regression model, age, CI, and LF/HF ratio classified performance groups with a sensitivity and specificity of 73 and 71%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS this study performed an important initial exploration in defining the complex relationship between CI, sympathovagal balance, and age in regulating impulsive reactions during cognitive tests. Our approach could be applied in assessing cognitive decline, providing additional information on the brain-heart interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paolo Tonin
- S. Anna Institute, Via Siris 11, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Antonio Cerasa
- S. Anna Institute, Via Siris 11, 88900 Crotone, Italy
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 98100 Messina, Italy
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health Science and Nutrition, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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Jensen DA, Lundervold AJ, Stubberud J, Halmøy A, Haavik J, Sørensen L. Goal management training improves executive control in adults with ADHD: an open trial employing attention network theory to examine effects on attention. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:207. [PMID: 36028907 PMCID: PMC9414421 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00902-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) typically experience poorer attentional control. According to the attention network theory, attentional control relies on three interacting networks of alerting, orienting, and executive control. In ADHD, it is mainly the alerting and executive control networks that are suggested and found to be compromised. Methods In the current study, we investigated if a group-based metacognitive remediation program (Goal Management Training [GMT]) in adults with ADHD would enhance attentional control using an experimental measure of the attention network theory. We expected that GMT would specifically enhance the executive control and alerting networks. Results Data from post- and follow up-assessments of 21 adults (age: 39.05 [11.93]) with ADHD who had completed GMT were included. Linear mixed-effects modeling revealed significant improvements in the functioning of the executive control network for the majority of the participants, although a small subset of participants showed a negative development following the intervention. Results also showed an improvement in the orienting network at follow up, but no change in the alerting network. Conclusion The results may indicate that improvements in the functioning of the executive control network are central to the positive effects of GMT reported in disorders characterized by impaired attentional control. Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN (Identifier: ISRCTN91988877) on the 18/01/2021. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-022-00902-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Jensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Division of Mental Health, Betanien Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Astri J Lundervold
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Stubberud
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Research, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Halmøy
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Haavik
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lin Sørensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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The Effect of Expertise during Simulated Flight Emergencies on the Autonomic Response and Operative Performance in Military Pilots. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159141. [PMID: 35897511 PMCID: PMC9332753 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) and performance response during emergency flight maneuvers were analyzed. Two expert pilots (ages 35 and 33) and two rookie pilots (ages 25) from the Portuguese Air Force participated in this case-control report study. Participants had to complete the following emergency protocols in a flight simulator: (1) take-off engine failure, (2) flight engine failure close to the base, (3) flight engine failure far away from the base, and (4) alternator failure. The HRV was collected during all these maneuvers, as well as the performance data (the time it took to go through the emergency protocol and the subjective information from the flight simulator operator). Results regarding autonomic modulation showed a higher sympathetic response during the emergency maneuvers when compared to baseline. In some cases, there was also a higher sympathetic response during the emergency maneuvers when compared with the take-off protocol. Regarding performance data, the expert pilots accomplished the missions in less time than the rookie pilots. Autonomic modulation measured from HRV through portable devices can easily relay important information. This information is relevant since characterizing these maneuvers can provide helpful information to design training strategies to improve those psychophysiological responses.
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Lischke A, Pahnke R, Mau-Moeller A, Weippert M. Heart Rate Variability Modulates Interoceptive Accuracy. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:612445. [PMID: 33536870 PMCID: PMC7849500 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.612445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Our emotional experiences depend on our interoceptive ability to perceive and interpret changes in our autonomous nervous system. An inaccurate perception and interpretation of autonomic changes impairs our ability to understand and regulate our emotional reactions. Impairments in emotion understanding and emotion regulation increase our risk for mental disorders, indicating that interoceptive deficits play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of mental disorders. We, thus, need measures to identify those of us whose interoceptive deficits impair their emotion understanding and emotion regulation. Here, we used cardiac measures to investigate how our ability to engage prefrontal and (para-)limbic brain region regions affects our ability to perceive and interpret cardiac changes. We administered a heartbeat detection task to a sample of healthy individuals (n = 113) whose prefrontal-(para-) limbic engagement had been determined on basis of a heart rate variability recording. We found a positive association between heartbeat detection and heart rate variability, implying that individuals with higher heart rate variability were more accurate in heartbeat detection than individuals with lower heart rate variability. These findings suggest that our interoceptive accuracy depends on our prefrontal-(para-)limbic engagement during the perception and interpretation of cardiac changes. Our findings also show that cardiac measures may be useful to investigate the association between interoceptive accuracy and prefrontal-(para-)limbic engagement in a time- and cost-efficient manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lischke
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rike Pahnke
- Department of Sport Science, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anett Mau-Moeller
- Department of Sport Science, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Matthias Weippert
- Department of Sport Science, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Koenig J, Sørensen L, Wass S, Sonuga-Barke E. Too fast, too furious: Short-lived phasic influences, resting cardiac vagal activity and the importance of time: A response to Sylvain Laborde. Physiol Behav 2020; 218:112691. [PMID: 31589883 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Koenig
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - L Sørensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway.
| | - S Wass
- University of East London, London, UK
| | - E Sonuga-Barke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, UK; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University, Denmark
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Commentary: About the logical, theoretical, and physiological differences between pre-task and post-task measurements of cardiac vagal activity. Physiol Behav 2020; 218:112685. [PMID: 31618616 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Svendsen JL, Schanche E, Osnes B, Vøllestad J, Visted E, Dundas I, Nordby H, Binder PE, Sørensen L. Is Dispositional Self-Compassion Associated With Psychophysiological Flexibility Beyond Mindfulness? An Exploratory Pilot Study. Front Psychol 2020; 11:614. [PMID: 32328014 PMCID: PMC7160328 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion are shown to associate with less self-reported emotional distress. However, previous studies have indicated that dispositional self-compassion may be an even more important buffer against such distress than dispositional mindfulness. To our knowledge, no study has yet disentangled the relationship between dispositional self-compassion and mindfulness and level of psychophysiological flexibility as measured with vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV). The aim was thus to provide a first exploratory effort to expand previous research relying on self-report measures by including a psychophysiological measure indicative of emotional stress reactivity. METHODS Fifty-three university students filled out the "Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire" (FFMQ) and the "Self-Compassion Scale" (SCS), and their heart rate was measured during a 5 min resting electrocardiogram. Linear hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the common and unique variance explained by the total scores of the FFMQ and the SCS on level of resting vmHRV. RESULTS Higher SCS total scores associated significantly with higher levels of vmHRV also when controlling for the FFMQ total scores. The SCS uniquely explained 7% of the vmHRV. The FFMQ total scores did not associate with level of vmHRV. CONCLUSION These results offer preliminary support that dispositional self-compassion associates with better psychophysiological regulation of emotional arousal above and beyond mindfulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lillebostad Svendsen
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Schanche
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Berge Osnes
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Bjørgvin District Psychiatric Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jon Vøllestad
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Solli District Psychiatric Centre, Nesttun, Norway
| | - Endre Visted
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingrid Dundas
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Helge Nordby
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Per-Einar Binder
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lin Sørensen
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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