Wirkungen der Therapeutischen Sprachgestaltung auf Herzfrequenz-Variabilität und Befinden

Abstract

Effects of Speech Therapy with Poetry on Heart Rate Variability and Well-Being Background: Anthroposophical Therapeutic Speech uses poems and exercises which typically induce rhythmical breathing. Speaking influences respiration and thus directly heart rate variability (HRV), in particular via respiratory sinus arrhythmia which, together with the slower rhythms of HRV, may be regarded as an indicator of sympathovagal balance. In chronomedicine numerous frequency ratios between physiological rhythms, especially in trophotropic phases, have been established. Integer ratios occur frequently and seem to be associated with the optimization of physiological processes. In larger groups the average pulse respiration quotient is about 4:1. Question: Can systematic effects on HRV, and thus on autonomic balance, be established through special speech therapy? Subjects and Methods: In two trained therapists and 7 untrained subjects the influence of different speech exercises and texts on HRV was investigated. With untrained subjects a total of 105 one-hour sessions, divided into speech and control exercises, was performed. The overall well-being and quality of well-being were assessed with questionnaires. Control evaluations were made in the same setting. Results: As a simultaneous effect, during speech exercises and texts typical intra- and inter-individually reproducible patterns in heart rate variability were observed. Reciting poems with a hexameter metric generates 2 oscillations with a 2:1 frequency ratio in the HRV spectrum. As immediate effects there were a significant drop in heart rate after speech sessions as well as a strengthening of vagus-related HRV parameters, especially after hexameter exercises. In comparison to control sessions the subjects felt significantly better, too. The different metric and poetic character of the texts was reflected clearly in the results.

Unexpected Cardiovascular Oscillations at 0.1 Hz During Slow Speech Guided Breathing (OM Chanting) at 0.05 Hz

“…As in our preliminary study ( von Bonin et al, 2001 ), a second oscillation appeared in the time signals of RR intervals and SBP during one OM chant, i.e., one respiratory-related oscillation, which was initiated by the inspiration ( Penaz and Burianek, 1963 ), and another oscillation that obviously appeared without any trigger. If the breathing frequency elicited during OM chanting is at 0.05 Hz (i.e., 3 cycles per minute) the second oscillation in SBP and RR intervals is most distinct, indicating an oscillation at 0.1 Hz ( Figure 6 ).…”

“…In a preliminary study performed by our research group, we observed that two heart period oscillations appeared during one OM breathing cycle ( von Bonin et al, 2001 ). Interestingly, only one out of the two oscillations could be attributed to the OM chanting induced respiration frequency of 0.05 Hz, whereas the second oscillation remained of unknown origin.…”

The Pulse-Respiration Quotient: A Powerful but Untapped Parameter for Modern Studies About Human Physiology and Pathophysiology

“…Changes in physical and cognitive activity in parallel are also reflected by f-PRQ changes. This has been shown, e.g., to be the case during speaking (causing an increase in f-PRQ depending on the type of speech) (Von Bonin et al., 2001), cognitive activity (concentrating alertness on an abstraction vs. listening to a spoken text) (Marti, 2013), and choir singing (Marti, 2012) (see Figures 4D,E).…”

“…The changes of f-PRQ are therefore due to speaking and changes in the body position in parallel. Data extracted from Von Bonin et al. (2001).…”

“…Von Bonin et al. (2001) introduced 2001 the constitution PRQ (“Konstitutions-QP/A” in German; in the following termed c-PRQ ), i.e., the mean PRQ value of the first non-REM sleep phase (in general, the first one during sleep) of a subject.…”