Breath Rate Variability: A Novel Measure to Study the Meditation Effects
International Journal of Yoga January 1, 2019 R. Soni, M. Muniyandi
Breath rate variability (BRV) can differentiate between meditators and nonmeditators after a short 15-minute session. In a nonrandomized controlled trial with 12 male participants (7 experienced meditators and 5 controls), meditators showed higher values in several BRV measures: standard deviation of successive differences (SDSD) was 24% higher, standard deviation of breath-to-breath intervals (SDBB) was 29% higher, and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) was 26% higher. Frequency domain analysis revealed a 73% increase in low-frequency to high-frequency power and a 33% increase in the LF/HF ratio. Nonlinear parameters SD1 and SD2 were also over 20% greater for meditators. BRV may offer a short-term measure of autonomic nervous system effects of meditation, unlike heart rate variability which reflects longer-term changes.