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3980498 
Journal Article 
Inhalation/Exhalation ratio modulates the effect of slow breathing on heart rate variability and relaxation 
Van Diest, I; Verstappen, K; Aubert, AE; Widjaja, D; Vansteenwegen, D; Vlemincx, E 
2014 
Yes 
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
ISSN: 1090-0586
EISSN: 1573-3270 
39 
3-4 
171-180 
English 
25156003 
Slow breathing is widely applied to improve symptoms of hyperarousal, but it is unknown whether its beneficial effects relate to the reduction in respiration rate per se, or, to a lower inhalation/exhalation (i/e) ratio. The present study examined the effects of four ventilatory patterns on heart rate variability and self-reported dimensions of relaxation. Thirty participants were instructed to breathe at 6 or 12 breaths/min, and with an i/e ratio of 0.42 or 2.33. Participants reported increased relaxation, stress reduction, mindfulness and positive energy when breathing with the low compared to the high i/e ratio. A lower compared to a higher respiration rate was associated only with an increased score on positive energy. A low i/e ratio was also associated with more power in the high frequency component of heart rate variability, but only for the slow breathing pattern. Our results show that i/e ratio is an important modulator for the autonomic and subjective effects of instructed ventilatory patterns. 
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          Pubmed (August 2017)