Effect of 40 continuous connected breathing on electroencephalogram and heart rate variability of healthy volunteers

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objectives: Continuous connected breathing (CCB) is a high-frequency breathing technique without breath retention. This study examines changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) band power and heart rate variability (HRV) before, during and after breathwork intervention of 3 rounds of 40 CCB versus normal breathing in healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three healthy volunteers, aged between 19 and 23 years, participated in the study ( n = 15; female = 7; mean age = 21.5 years) group, while the control group consisted of 18 individuals ( n = 18; male = 11; mean age = 19.6 years). After acquiring baseline measures, the study group engaged in 40 CCB practice online for 10 days, while the control group continued with their usual activities. EEG and HRV signals were recorded for both groups after the 10 days. Post-intervention, the study group practised 40 CCB breathwork, while the control group breathed normally during signal acquisition. EEG was recorded for 1-min durations at five different time events (1 st , 4 th , 5 th , 7 th and 10 th min) according to the protocol. HRV was continuously recorded for the entire 10 min, and 1-min readings corresponding to the EEG recording time intervals were analysed. EEG signals were acquired using an Enobio-8 cap with dry electrodes in pre-frontal (FP1 and FP2), temporal (T7 and T8), central (C3 and C4) and occipital (O1 and O2) regions. HRV data were acquired from Polar H7/H10 chest strap sensors through Bluetooth using Elite HRV app on android phone and data were later processed with Kubios software. EEG signals were processed using MATLAB software to extract EEG power for delta (0– 3.5Hz), theta (4–7 Hz), alpha (8–13 Hz), beta (14–29 Hz) and gamma frequencies (30–50 Hz). The EEG power and HRV signals were later arranged as before-after and during time events and statistically analysed for within and between-group changes using t -tests for significance of means. Results: There was an overall quantitative change in EEG band power of −2 units within the study group and −0.03 within the control group. A significant decrease was found in overall delta (−2.27), theta (−1.7), alpha (−1.8) and beta (−2.27) brain waves in pre-frontal (FP1, FP8), temporal (T7, T8) and occipital (O1, O2) regions after breathwork compared to before within the study group. A significant increase was found in beta (+2.8) band power in the control group with a higher increase in the left compared to the right hemisphere. Bilateral average change ranged from −1.6 to −2.6 in the study and −0.1 to +4.9 in the control group. HRV parameters were reduced after intervention in both groups but without significance. The parameters improved after the intervention compared to during within the study group, though not significant. Conclusion: 10 days of practice of 40 CCB breathworks (3 rounds) for 5 min/day may reduce EEG power in delta, theta, alpha and beta waves. It may help to maintain autonomic balance with an increase of HRV in the recovery phase after an initial decrease during breathwork. Further studies are recommended to test the consistency of outcomes.