Acute effect of breathing exercises on muscle tension and executive function under psychological stress

Wen-Ming Liang; Jing Xiao; Fei-Fei Ren; Zi-Shuai Chen; Chun-Ri Li; Zhen-Min Bai; Osvaldas Rukšenas

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1155134

Acute effect of breathing exercises on muscle tension and executive function under psychological stress

Front Psychol. 2023 May 25:14:1155134. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1155134. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Wen-Ming Liang^{1

2}, Jing Xiao², Fei-Fei Ren³, Zi-Shuai Chen⁴, Chun-Ri Li^{5

6}, Zhen-Min Bai⁷, Osvaldas Rukšenas¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
² Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Xiyuan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
³ Department of Physical Education, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, China.
⁴ Department of Traditional Chinese Exercises, College of Physical Education, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
⁵ Department of Acupuncture, College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China.
⁶ Faculty of Health, Slovak Medical University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.
⁷ Department of Sports Rehabilitation, School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Introduction: Intensive and long-lasting office work is a common cause of muscular and mental disorders due to workplace stressors. Mindful and slow breathing exercises decrease psychological stress and improve mental health, whereas fast breathing increases neuronal excitability. This study aimed to explore the influence of 5 min of mindful breathing (MINDFUL), slow breathing (SLOW), fast breathing (FAST), and listening to music (MUSIC) on muscle tension and executive function during an intensive psychological task.

Methods: Forty-eight participants (24 men and 24 women) were enrolled. Muscle tension was recorded using surface electromyography, and executive function was assessed using the Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop Test). The respiration rate (RR), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂), and the subjects' preferred method were also recorded. During the experiment, participants performed a one-time baseline test (watching a neutral video for 5 min) and then completed 5 min of MUSIC, MINDFUL, SLOW, and FAST in a random sequence. The Stroop Test was performed after each intervention, including the baseline test, and was followed by a 5 min rest before performing the next intervention.

Results: None of the methods significantly influenced muscular activity and performance of the Stroop Test in both men and women, based on the average 5 min values. However, at the fifth minute, men's accuracy rate in the Stroop Test was significantly higher after SLOW than after MUSIC and FAST, and the reaction time after the SLOW was the shortest. SpO₂ was significantly higher during SLOW than during MUSIC, and RR was relatively lower after SLOW than after MUSIC. Most men preferred SLOW, and most women preferred MUSIC, whereas FAST was the most unfavorable method for both men and women.

Conclusion: Brief breathing exercises did not substantially affect muscle tension under psychological stress. SLOW demonstrated greater potential for sustaining executive function in men, possibly via its superior respiration efficiency on SpO₂ and inhibition of RR.

Keywords: cognitive function; executive function; fast breathing; mindful breathing; muscle activity; muscle tension; music listening; slow breathing.

Grants and funding

JX was funded by the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (No. CI2021A02010). W-ML was funded by Vilnius University, Lithuania.