Can Heartfelt Emotion Facilitate Autonomic Recovery from a Math Stressor?

The present study explored whether the induction of heartfelt emotion (HFE) following an experimental stressor can aid autonomic recovery. 24 undergraduates (11 male and 13 female), 18-22 years of age, participated in this study. A Thought Technology ProComp[TM] Infiniti system monitored autonomic measures using their EKG, respiration, skin conductance, and temperature sensors. An Omega 1400 TM automated sphygmomanometer measured blood pressure. HFE was assessed with a 5-point Likert scale and the PANAS-X Positive Affect subscale. In this within-subjects design, participants were randomly assigned to two sequences of 5-min conditions that were separated by 5-min buffer periods. Half of the subjects started with the serial sevens-HFE sequence and half with the serial sevens-control sequence. There was a 5-min buffer period between each sequence during which subjects sat quietly. Subjects sat upright with eyes open in all conditions, were not given breathing instructions, and did not receive physiological feedback. In the HFE condition, participants utilized the Institute of HeartMath's Heart Lock-In Technique instructions, which they had practiced for 15 min/day for at least 2 weeks. In the control condition, participants sat quietly. After the HFE or control condition, subjects performed a 5-min videotaped serial sevens task in which they reported their calculations out loud. Data were analyzed using a GLM analysis with familywise correction. HFE was successfully manipulated since HFE, F(1,23) = 54.64, p = .000, E32 = 0.70, and positive affect scores, F(1,23) = 4.97, p = .035, E32 = 0.16, were higher in the HFE condition than in the control condition. HFE following a serial sevens stressor did not aid recovery more than the control condition for blood pressure, HRV time domain (HR Max-HR Min, NN50, pNN50, RMSSD, SDNN), frequency domain (VLF, LF, HF, LF/HF), heart rate, skin conductance, or temperature measurements. These findings do not support the use of HFE to facilitate autonomic recovery following exposure to stressors in individuals who resemble our students. Future researchers should replicate our findings with a clinical population and more diverse experimental stressors. Keywords * Positive emotion * Respiration * Heart rate variability