Relaxation with biofeedback-assisted guided imagery: the importance of breathing rate as an index of hypoarousal.
Fifteen men and 35 women, suffering from a number of psychological and somatic disorders, were taught to relax by biofeedback-assisted deep-diaphragmatic breathing together with guided mental imagery. No instructions were given about rate. Breathing rate and pattern, PETCO2, and EEG were monitored before training and after the first three 2-minute training trials (session 1). In 27 subjects (54%), breathing patterns and rate were noted to resemble those reported by meditation practitioners (3 to 5 b/min). The PETCO2 and EEG changes support a hypothesis of metabolic hypoarousal. Four subjects spontaneously reported experiencing altered awareness. A centrally mediated hypoarousal response is tentatively implicated.
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Hunter College, City University of New York, NY 10021.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012119:Respiration