Autonomic Changes During Hypnosis: A Heart Rate Variability Power Spectrum Analysis as a Marker of Sympatho-Vagal Balance

Abstract

Spectral analysis of beat-to-beat variability in electrocardiography is a simple, noninvasive method to analyze sympatho-vagal interaction. The electrocardiogram is analyzed by means of an automatic, autoregressive modeling algorithm that provides a quantitative estimate of R-R interval variability by the computation of power spectral density. Two major peaks are recognizable in this specter: a low-frequency peak (LF, -0.1 Hz), related to the overall autonomic activity (ortho+parasympathetic) and a high-frequency peak (HF, -0.25 Hz), representative of the vagal activity. The LF/HF ratio is an index of the sympatho-vagal interaction. This technique was applied, using a computer-assisted electrocardiograph, to 10 healthy volunteers (6 high and 4 low hypnotizable subjects as determined by the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C) in randomized awake and neutral hypnosis conditions. Preliminary results indicated that hypnosis affects heart rate variability, shifting the balance of the sympatho-vagal interaction toward an enhanced parasympathetic activity, concomitant with a reduction of the sympathetic tone. A positive correlation between hypnotic susceptibility and autonomic responsiveness during hypnosis was also found, with high hypnotizable subjects showing a trend toward a greater increase of vagal efferent activity than did low hypnotizables.

The effect of sedation during transoesophageal echocardiography on heart rate variability: a comparison of hypnotic sedation with medical sedation

“…In their study, Aubert et al [18] found that in healthy individuals LF levels were decreased in the hypnosis group while HF was increased and LF/HF rate was decreased. DeBenedittis et al [19] found similar results in healthy individuals undergoing hypnosis. Yuksel et al [20] demonstrated that in women HRV decreased during hypnosis.…”

Balancing the autonomic nervous system to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

“…It has for instance been suggested, that hypnosis reduces the clinical signs of inflammation after tuberculin injection [31], presumably due to increased parasympathetic activity after hypnosis [32,33]. Furthermore, there are several case reports of hemiplegic patients that do not develop arthritis or lose arthritis activity on the affected side [34,35].…”

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome: How Stress Can Affect the Amygdala Activity and the Brain-Gut Axis

“…Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the PFC, based on the central role of the mPFC in cognitive theory of mind, can cause changes in acute pain perception and has been used in a model of central sensitization syndrome such as fibromyalgia (Mhalla, et al 2011;Short, et al 2011) but no data have been currently published in IBS patients. Modulation of the ANS by restoring the sympatho-vagal balance (DeBenedittis, et al 1994;Nishith, et al 2003;Gemignani, et al 2006) as well as modifying coping strategies vigilance state and globally the restoration of a functional brain-gut axis, are at the origin of the efficacy of these treatments. Brain imaging techniques have shown modulation of brain activation, as for example in the amygdala, by such treatments (Goldin and Gross 2010;Lawrence, et al 2011).…”