Effect of 40 continuous connected breathing on electroencephalogram and heart rate variability of healthy volunteers
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology February 3, 2025 Neepu Gowda, K. Vijayalakshmi, Kavitha Sooda et al. 1 citation
Ten days of practicing continuous connected breathing (CCB), a high-frequency breathing technique without breath retention, for five minutes per day reduced electroencephalogram (EEG) power in delta, theta, alpha, and beta brain waves in healthy young adults. In a study group of 15 volunteers (mean age 21.5 years), EEG band power decreased by an average of 2 units after breathwork, compared to a decrease of 0.03 units in a control group of 18 volunteers (mean age 19.6 years). Significant decreases were observed in prefrontal, temporal, and occipital regions. Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters decreased during breathwork but improved afterward, suggesting a recovery of autonomic balance. Changes in the control group were minimal or showed increases.