Correlation between Cognitive Function and Coherence, using HeartMath entrainment techniques

As measured using a GEC Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner and Freeze Framer Interactive Learning System

April 2006

With thanks to:

Prof S Williams, Centre for Neuroloimaging Sciences

Prof K Wesnes, Cognitive Drugs Research

Dr A Yardley-Jones, Consultant in Occupational Health

We have long known that the process of cortical inhibition occurs when we are "incoherent" - we are unable to think clearly when put under pressure, when stress increases or when, for example, we find ourselves in an unfamiliar and potentially threatening situation.  Cortical inhibition makes it harder to gain easy access to higher levels of cortical function - this is part of the "fight or flight" syndrome.

The reverse of this process - called "Cortical Facilitation" - is the process of greater clarity and stimulated / creative thinking.  Cortical Facilitation occurs when our cardiovascular system is "coherent".

Our work with CDR, one of the world's leading organisations in the field of measuring cognitive function and performance, led us, in April 2006, to examine the cortical activity, in various lobal areas, whilst a subject, being measured and monitored on a fMRI scanner, went into and out of various states of coherence, using the entrainment techniques developed by HeartMath and taught by Hunter Kane.

Protocol

Upon commencing monitoring, the subject remained in a high state of incoherence.  On command (at exactly 5-mins from the start of the monitoring), the subject would entrain and enter into a state of high coherence using one of the HeartMath techniques.  He would hold this for exactly 5 mins, at which point return to an incoherent state.  Swithing in and out of coherence continued for a total of 30 mins, totalling 3 states of incoherence intersperced with 3 states of coherence.

Results

Image 1

This image shows three brain "slices" - top left is side on, looking from the right side of the subject, bottom left is top down, with the subject's forehead right most in the picture, and top right is looking towards the subject.

The red circle shows the point at which there is greatest blood flow within the cortical region.  We note that the region of highest blood concentration happens in the frontal lobe; the area responsible for clarity of thinking, decision making and information retention and is associated with the Autonomic Nervous Systems Control and Measurement centres.  More acurately "This slide shows the region of ventromedial prefrontal cortex significantly activated (p<0.05 corrected) in synchrony with our input function where the red dots show the real modulation in signal intensity emanating from this region."

The graph shows that blood flow in this area is low/neutral to start (0-5mins), and rises at the 5-min point for a total of 5-mins (5-10mins).  It then drops to its previous level for another 5 mins, and then increases again at the next stage of coherence.  The black line on the graph represents the 5-mins "off" (i.e. incoherent) and 5-mins "on" (coherent), over the time of the study.

Image 2

This image shows a screen shot from the Freeze Framer Interactive Learning System, developed by HeartMath.  FFILS is the only software application that will measure coherence coupled with Heart Rate Variability.  The green lines in the graph above, show states of incoherence and coherence, depicted by Heart Rate Variability tracing over time.  The black lines are a represenation of the off-on-off-on cycle described above, in five minute intervals.  We note that the subject successfully achieved states of coherence on command at the appropriate time intervals.

Image 3

This image shows the blood flow graph (see image 1) and the Freeze Framer graph (see image 2), alongside each other.  We note that the instances of increased blood flow - which are required in order to give us higher levels of cortical performance, happen at exactly the same time as the states of incoherence-coherence.

Summary

Whilst only a sample of one, this study suggests that there is a direct correlation between coherence, as achieved by using one of the HeartMath techniques, and increased cortical activity, associated with the frontal cortex.  Further research is required to expand the population sample.  Our continued work with CDR continues to substantiate improved cortical performance post HeartMath training, in a population from ages 10 through to mature adults.