Heart rate variability during mindful breathing meditation

Heart rate variability (HRV) metrics commonly used in biofeedback, such as RMSSD, preferentially weight higher-frequency heart rate fluctuations, making them unsuitable for tracking slow, mindful breathing. A new metric called the autonomic balance index (ABI) uses Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia to quantify the fraction of HRV contributed by the parasympathetic nervous system. Applied to data from two meditation techniques, ABI was significantly elevated during mindful breathing, indicating it is a good signal for biofeedback during meditation sessions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We discuss Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measured during mindful breathing meditation. We provide a pedagogical computation of two commonly used heart rate variability metrics, i.e. the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and the standard deviation of RR intervals (SDRR), in terms of Fourier components. It is shown that the root mean square of successive differences preferentially weights higher frequency Fourier modes, making it unsuitable as a biosignal for mindful breathing meditation which encourages slow breathing. We propose a new metric called the autonomic balance index (ABI) which uses Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia to quantify the fraction of heart rate variability contributed by the parasympathetic nervous system. We apply this metric to heart rate variability data collected during two different meditation techniques, and show that the autonomic balance index is significantly elevated during mindful breathing, making it a good signal for biofeedback during meditation sessions.