The Influence of Slow-Paced Breathing on Executive Function

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of this experiment was to test the immediate effects of slow-paced breathing on executive function. Slow-paced breathing is suggested to increase cardiac vagal activity, and the neurovisceral integration model predicts that higher cardiac vagal activity leads to better executive functioning. In total, 78 participants (41 men, 37 women; Mage = 23.22 years) took part in two counterbalanced experimental conditions: a 3 × 5 min slow-paced breathing condition and a television viewing control condition. After each condition, heart rate variability was measured and participants performed three executive function tasks: the color-word match Stroop (inhibition), the automated operation span task (working memory), and the modified card sorting task (cognitive flexibility). Results showed that performance on executive function tasks was better after slow-paced breathing compared to control, with higher scores observed for Stroop interference accuracy, automated operation span score, and perseverative errors, but not Stroop interference reaction times. This difference in executive function between experimental conditions was not mediated by cardiac vagal activity. Therefore, findings only partially align with predictions of the neurovisceral integration model. Slow-paced breathing appears a promising technique to improve immediate executive function performance. Further studies are recommended that address possible alternative underlying mechanisms and long-term effects.

Emotional Intelligence Training: Influence of a Brief Slow-Paced Breathing Exercise on Psychophysiological Variables Linked to Emotion Regulation

“…Regarding CVA, our findings are in line with previous literature, given so far a robust increase in CVA has been systematically demonstrated during SPB, while returning to levels close to baseline when ceasing the SPB exercise [ 55 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. This acute increase may occur due to the action of SPB on the baroreflex [ 41 ] and on pulmonary afferents [ 38 ], thus stimulating the vagus nerve [ 39 , 42 ].…”

“…This acute increase may occur due to the action of SPB on the baroreflex [ 41 ] and on pulmonary afferents [ 38 ], thus stimulating the vagus nerve [ 39 , 42 ]. The novelty of the current findings resides in the fact that previously the increase in CVA during SPB had been mostly documented with longer SPB practice times of 15-min [ 55 , 57 , 58 , 59 ], while a 5-min SPB exercise was used in the current study. The fact that CVA returns to baseline after SPB would reflect the cessation of vagus nerve stimulation.…”

“…In athletes, higher CVA was found to be associated with better executive functioning and coping under pressure [ 16 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 ]. Given SPB has been shown to improve both CVA and executive functioning in athletes [ 55 , 57 , 59 ], it appears to be a promising technique for the applied field. Despite the existence of other techniques which stimulate the vagus nerve without requiring the active attention of the individual, such as transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation [ 98 , 99 , 100 ], the advantage of SPB is that it does not require any device, representing a suitable low-cost, low-technology, and non-pharmacological way to stimulate the vagus nerve.…”

“…Among the methods that can be used to enhance CVA [ 53 , 54 ], SPB has been shown to influence CVA in athletes [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. Regarding its acute effects, although CVA appears to robustly increase during SPB, these effects seem to cease simultaneously with the termination of SPB exercises [ 41 , 55 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. However, chronic increases in CVA can be found after long-term interventions [ 56 ].…”

Slow-Paced Breathing: Influence of Inhalation/Exhalation Ratio and of Respiratory Pauses on Cardiac Vagal Activity

“…SPB without biofeedback has been associated with positive cognitive and physiological outcomes in athletes [8,9,[61][62][63]. More specifically, positive effects were found on executive functions such as inhibition in resting conditions [61,62], working memory, and cognitive flexibility [62], and after physical exertion on inhibition [9].…”