title: Relaxation as a cognitive task.
abstract: In the present experiment the instruction to relax was given to awake highly (Highs) and non hypnotizable subjects (Lows), while their heart rate, respirogram and skin resistance were recorded together with electroencephalogram, electroculogram and corrugator electromiogram. At the beginning of the experiment, Highs exhibited no significant difference in heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF) and heart rate variability (HRV) with respect to Lows, but showed a higher EEG alpha and theta1 power. During the session, both groups decreased their heart rate, but changes were significant only in Lows, which increased significantly also the parasympathetic component of their HRV (high frequency, HF). In both groups, EEG showed alpha, beta2 and theta2 power decrements; theta1 activity decreased only in Lows, while gamma power increased in Highs and decreased in Lows. Results suggest that Highs and Lows used different cognitive strategies in the elaboration of the relaxation request and that Highs performed the task through a higher integrative activity.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisiologia e Biochimica, Via S. Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simoni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gemignani
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ghelarducci
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Santarcangelo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004585:Electrooculography; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis; D008297:Male; D012063:Relaxation / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D013404:Suggestion