• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
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• 1999.03a
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• pp.127-132
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• 1999

Cardiovascular, respiratory and electrodermal responses to acute stress episodes modeled by combined presentation of intense white noise and performance of word recognition task with noise background were studied in 15 college students. Experimental procedure consisted in sessions with white noise, word recognition task presentation with noise background and test with noise background. Recorded physiological variables were analyzed in terms of their sensitivity to detect activation of sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of autonomic nervous system and thus reflect autonomic arousal level during shout-term stress-inducing experimental manipulations. It was shown that performance of effortful mental task with noise background elicited significant physiological responses typical for active coping behavior, namely electrodermal arousal and increased cardiovascular activity. this response profile was more profound as compared to white noise only or attending task in noise background. However, all physiological responses were mostly phasic, without long-term tonic changes, since almost all variables recovered to their initial baseline levels, suggesting that dominant autonomic mechanisms in transient acute stress episodes were of parasympathetic nature (withdrawal in stress with subsequent activation in restoration period), while sympathetic contribution was not long-lasting. Nevertheless, increased number of stressors and their longer exposure may result in higher profile of tonic sympathetic arousal and reduced functional role of vagal mechanisms in autonomic balance regulation.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 1999

Long-term exposure to loud noise affects performance since it changes arousal level, distracts attention, and also is able to evoke subjective stress accompanied by negative emotional states. The purpose of the study was to analyze dynamics of subjective and physiological variables during a relatively long-lasting (30 min) exposure to white noise (85 dB[A]). Physiological signals were recorded on 15 college students during 30 min of intense auditory stimulation. Autonomic variables, namely skin conductance level , non-specific SCR number, inter-best intervals in ECG, heart rate variability index (HF/LF ratio of HRV), skin temperature, as well as respiration rate were analyzed on 5 min epoch basis. Psychological assessment (subjective rating of stress level) was also repeated every 5 min. Statistical analysis was employed to trace the time course of the dynamics of subjective and autonomic physiological variables and their relationships. Results showed that the intense noise evoked subjective stress as well as associated autonomic nervous system responses. However it was shown that physiological variables endured specific changes in the process of exposure to the loud white noise. Discussed were probable psychophysiological mechanisms mediating reactivity to long-term auditory stimulation of high intensity, namely short-term activation, followed by transient adaptation (with relatively stable autonomic balance) and then a subsequent wave of arousal due to tonic sympathetic dominance.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2024

Background: Breathing, which can be voluntarily controlled, is understood to improve autonomic nervous system dysfunction caused by irregular lifestyle habits and stress. Purpose: This study aims to design a musical instrument for breathing excise and to present preliminary cases demonstrating the effectiveness of the breathing exercise with the instrument. Method: Based on a palm flute, a musical instrument was designed to produce the intended sound when exhaling softly, evenly, and for a long duration using the diaphragm. The instrument was applied to 4 individuals with symptoms of autonomic nervous system imbalance, and its effects were evaluated. Results: Case A (62 years old, male); After 1 hour of daily breathing excise for 2 weeks, the subject was able to discontinue the use of sleep-inducing medication, which had been taken for 5 years, and showed improvement in symptoms of overactive bladder. Case B (35 years old, male); After 30 minutes of breathing excise daily for 2 months, the subject's sleep patterns improved, and insomnia symptoms were alleviated. Case C (57 years old, female); After 30 minutes of breathing excise, 3 times per week for 4 weeks, the time required to fall asleep was significantly reduced, and sleep quality was enhanced. Case D (67 years old, male); After 1 hour of daily breathing excise for 1 week, the subject's insomnia improved. Conclusion: The proposed breathing excise instrument which efficiently trains exhalation is understood to positively influences the parasympathetic nervous system. The instrument is expected to hold potential for effective use in natural healing programs, aimed at restoring and maintaining autonomic nervous system balance.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.406-409
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• 1997

In this paper, the power spectral analysis and fractral dimension analysis of heart rate variability(HRV) were performed to evaluate effects of orthostatic stress with head-up tilt on autonomic nervous system(ANS) for 24 young and healthy subjects(age: $24{\pm}5yr$.). The ECG and respiration signals were recorded at the tilt angle of $0^{\circ},\;15^{\circ},\;30^{\circ},\;45^{\circ},\;70^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ successively for 5 minutes per each stage under the condition of frequency controlled respiration (0.25Hz). Heart rate(HR) gradually increased as the angle increased. Similarly, according to the increment of angle, normalized low frequency(LF) component(0.05-0.15Hz) gradually increased, whereas normalized high frequency(HF) component (0.20-0.30Hz) was reduced. From these results it is speculated that orthostatic stress, head-up tilt, results in the prevalence of sympathetic tone in autonomic balance with the increment of sympathetic tone and the decrement of parasympathetic tone, which seems to mean that autonomic nervous system plays a major role in compensating for disturbances of cardiovascular system due to it.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.43-53
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was accomplished to investigate the effects of moxibustion at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) on the heart rate variability(HRV) in healthy adults. And based on that, we tried to find out how moxibustion at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) effects on the activity and balance of the autonomic nervous system Methods : We investigated on 50 healthy volunteers consisted of 24 subjects in moxibustion group and 24 subjects in control group. On the other hand, two volunteers were ruled out by standard of elimination. The study was established by randomized trial. Moxibustion was applied at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) and rested during 10 minutes in moxibustion group. No treatment was executed in control group. We measured HRV 3 times : baseline measurement and after treatment in moxibustion group(after rest in control group) twice. The SPSS 12.0 for windows was used to analyze the data by paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test(in group) and Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test (between the groups). Results : 1. In moxibustion group, mean HRT decreased significantly. Ln(VLF) increased significantly. Ln(TP) decreased significantly at $2^{nd}$ time and increased significantly at $3^{rd}$ time. SDNN, RMSSD, PSI, Ln(LF), Ln(HF), Normalized LF, Normalized HF and LF/HF ratio were not affected. 2. In control group, PSI and normalized HF decreased significantly. SDNN, Ln(TP), Ln(VLF), normalized LF and LF/HF ratio increased significantly. Mean HRT, RMSSD, Ln(LF) and Ln(HF) were not affected. Conclusions : This study suggest that moxibustion at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) makes no effects on the balance of the autonomic nervous system.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was to identify the effects of aroma inhalation therapy on heart rate variability and anxiety in the context of urodynamics study. Method: The data were collected from 64 patients who were receiving urodynamics at the C University Medical Center in Seoul, 23 in the experimental group, 22 in the placebo group and 19 in the control group. In the experiment, the subjects of the experimental group inhaled a mixture of lavender and bergamot for 5 min, the subjects of the placebo group inhaled geranyl acetate oil for 5 min and the subjects of the control group relaxed for 5 min. The instruments used in this study included the state anxiety inventory and heart rate variability. Result: The score of state anxiety was no significant differences between the three groups after aroma-inhalation. Also, the sympathetic nerve activity and parasympathetic nerve activity was no significant differences between the three groups after aroma-inhalation. Autonomic nerve balance was maintained significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control groups after aroma-inhalation. Conclusion: The aroma inhalation therapy was very effective in balancing the autonomic nervous system in the patients undergoing urodynamic study.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2022

Background: Bus driving is a mentally demanding activity that requires prolonged attention to ensure safety. The aim of the study was to assess mental fatigue caused by driving a public bus and to find a profile of workers at higher risk. Methods: We evaluated changes of critical flicker fusion (CFF) (index of central arousal) and heart rate variability (HRV) (index of autonomic balance) in a 6-hour driving shift on a real route, in 31 professional bus drivers, and we tested the influence of personal factors such as sleep quality, BMI, and age. Paired t-test was used to test differences of CFF and HRV between both initial and final phase of driving, while multiple linear regression tested the influence of personal variables on the indexes of mental fatigue. Results: Results showed that CFF significantly decreased after 6 hours of bus driving (41.91 Hz, sd 3.31 vs. 41.15 Hz, sd 3.15; p = 0.041), and heart rate significantly decreased in the final phase of driving, with respect to the initial phase (85 vs. 78 bpm, p = 0.027). Increasing age (beta = -0.729, p = 0.022), risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (beta = -0.530, p = 0.04), and diurnal sleepiness (beta = -0.406, p = 0.017) showed a significant effect on influencing mental fatigue. Conclusion: Elderly drivers at higher risk of sleep disorders are more prone to mental fatigue, when exposed to driving activity. Monitoring indexes of central arousal and autonomic balance, coupled with the use of structured questionnaires can represent a useful strategy to detect profile of workers at higher risk of mental fatigue in such duty.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.3-10
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• 2020

This study is aimed at investigating drivers' reactions to yellow signal dilemma situations as a result of the existing signal system, and developing a new signal system. A driver-centered coping model was developed through bio-signal analysis. The driver's physiological response in the existing signal system was observed, and the signal system was developed by applying intersection road driving conditions using a car graphic simulator. Participants were classified into a control group (existing signal system) and an experimental group for a new yellow signal system (new signal system). Based on the results, the emergence of parasympathetic nerves was higher in the experimental group than in the control group, where a statistically significant difference was observed (p < 0.05). The newly developed signal system appeared to cause tension among drivers; however, the sympathetic to parasympathetic nerve ratio was 6: 4, which could be interpreted as an ideal balance. We conclude that drivers can drive more stably if the coping signal system developed in this study is applied to the traffic system.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2012

In this paper, we have investigated effects of two specific meditations (Chinese qigong meditation and Kundalini yoga meditation) on the heart rate variability (HRV), which is a well-known quantitative measure of autonomic balance, of skilled students. To analyze the effects, the MIT/BIH physionet database was utilized. The database includes RR intervals of eight skilled Chinese qigong meditators (5 women and 3 men; age range 26-35) and four skilled Kundalini yoga meditators (2 women and 2 men; age range 20-52). RR intervals of each subject were measured before and during the meditations. For HRV analysis, we have used typical four HRV parameters - the low frequency to high frequency power ratio (LF/HF ratio), SD2/SD1 ratio, sample entropy, and fractal dimension. The LF/HF ratio was calculated by the autoregressive spectrum and the SD2/SD1 ratio was derived from the Poincar$\grave{e}$ plot. The sample entropy was computed from the phase space plot and the fractal dimension was estimated by the Higuchi's algorithm. In the experiments, the Wilcoxon signed rank test was employed because we used small datasets and compared HRV parameters before and during the meditations. As a result, we have found increment of the LF/HF and SD2/SD1 ratios in both meditations; whereas the sample entropy is decreased during the meditations. In addition, the fractal dimension is increased during the Chinese qigong meditation; whereas it is decreased during the Kundalini yoga meditation. The results show that the sympathetic nervous system is generally more activated in skilled Chinese qigong and Kundalini yoga meditators, but the activation of the parasympathetic nervous tone is suppressed.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.176-187
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• 2007

1. Objectives The purpose of this research is to find out the Sasang Constitutional difference in Heart Rate Variability. 2. Methods We enrolled 8498 workers who tested for Heart Rate Variability(HRV) from September 1, 2005 to November 28, 2005 except works whose body constitusions were undetermined according to QSCCII. 3. Results & Conclusions The result of HRV of autonomic activity and stress resistance were arranged in the order of Soeumin, Soyangin and Taeumin. On the other hand Stress Index and Fatigue Index were arranged in the order of Taeumin, Soyangin and Soeumin. But autonomic balance was no significance relationship between Sasang Constitutions. This research has shown that there is a statistical significance between the HRV and Sasang Constitutions. The findings indicated that HRV could be useful mean to make a diagnosis of Sasang Constitution or apprehended Constitutional differences.