Controlled breathing and autonomic rhythms: Influence of auditory versus visual cues

We compared standard metrics of autonomic control in 20 humans (10 female) during spontaneous and controlled breathing. Subjects controlled breathing at 0.25  Hz following a metronome (auditory) or scrolling waveforms (visual). Respiratory rates and heart rates were lower during spontaneous breathing compared with auditory and visual. One heart rate variability metric was higher during visual compared with spontaneous breathing, but baroreflex sensitiv ity and muscle sympathetic nerve activity were not affected by breathing cues.
Source: Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research