Study on How Different Breathing Techniques Affect Stress Responses in Healthy Adults Aged 18 to 60

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying whether the calming benefits of slow, steady breathing come from a specific breathing rhythm of 6 breaths per minute or from the general experience of a structured, mindful activity. This trial compares coherent breathing that may sync heart and lung rhythms against faster paced breathing and simple resting to see which best lowers physical stress markers like heart rate variability and cortisol. The study focuses on healthy adults aged 18 to 60 and uses a controlled laboratory stress test called the Maastricht Acute Stress Test MAST. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups slow coherent breathing at 6 breaths per minute, sham breathing at 15 breaths per minute matching a natural pace, or a control group sitting quietly without guided breathing. Each participant completes a preparation day to learn their assigned breathing technique, then attends one experimental session. During the session, they perform their breathing method before and after the stress test involving cold water hand immersion and mental math. The breathing sessions last 10 minutes each and are guided by rhythmic audio cues. Throughout the study, researchers measure heart rate variability using a heart monitor, collect saliva samples to test cortisol levels, and assess mood and anxiety with questionnaires at five time points during the session. Breathing adherence is checked with software analyzing respiratory rates. The trial aims to capture both the immediate and recovery effects of the breathing interventions on physical and psychological stress responses. Participants involvement lasts for the preparation plus the single experimental day.

Breathwork and Stress: Investigating the Mechanisms of Action and Effectiveness of Breathing Interventions in Modulating the Psychophysiological Response to Acute Stress Test