Resonant Breathing Biofeedback Training for Stress Reduction Among Manufacturing Operators

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of resonant breathing biofeedback training for reducing stress among manufacturing operators. Resonant breathing biofeedback works by teaching people to recognize their involuntary heart rate variability and to control patterns of this physiological response. Thirty-six female operators from an electronic manufacturing factory were randomly assigned as the experimental group (n = 19) and the control group (n = 17). The participants of the intervention received 5 weekly sessions of biofeedback training. Physiological stress profiles and self-perceived depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS) were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Results indicated that depression, anxiety, and stress significantly decreased after the training in the experimental group; they were supported by a significant increase in physiological measures. Overall, these results support the potential application of resonant biofeedback training to reduce negative emotional symptoms among industrial workers.

Favouring emotional processing in improvisational music therapy through resonance frequency breathing: a single-case experimental study with a healthy client

“…When used on its own, RFB has been shown to enhance creativity and artistic skills (Raymond, Sajid, Parkinson, & Gruzelier, 2005), reduce stress (Sutarto, Wahab, & Zin, 2012), and increase people's ability for emotional regulation (McCraty & Zayas, 2014). It has also been successfully applied in the treatment of various physical and emotional disorders, such as asthma, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety disorders, and depression (for an overview, see Gevirtz, 2013).…”

A systematic review of brief mental health and well-being interventions in organizational settings

“…All studies evaluated individuallevel interventions carried out among a healthy, working population and none addressed working conditions or job stressors. Five studies included high-stress professions, such as police, healthcare staff or education professionals (29,30,31,32,33), four were carried out among office workers (34,35,36,37) and two included manufacturing workers (38,39). Studies were carried out mostly in high and middle-income countries.…”

“…Four studies used pre-post-test measurements (30,31,32,35) and six had follow-up ranging mainly from one week to one month (29,33,34,36,38,39). One study implemented a 3-month follow-up (37).…”

“…Reported attrition rates ranged between 6.1-88%. Most brief interventions were delivered in weekly intervals (29,30,31,33,35,38,39), one was conducted daily (36), one on alternate days (32) and one every four weeks (34). One intervention was a single session (37).…”

“…With regard to session duration, six interventions lasted ≤30 minutes (29,30,33,35,36,37) and five between 30-60 minutes (31,32,34,38,39). Seven interventions involved face-to-face training (29,31,32,33,34,37,39), one was delivered online (35) and one was self-administered (36). Two interventions used mixed methods: face-to-face and computer-based (38), and participants receiving a CD of guided exercise after face-to-face training (30).…”