Bradford EJ, Wesnes KA, - Cognitive Drug Research Ltd, UK
Brett D, - Hunter Kane, UK

The following text was produced by CDR (Cognitive Drug Research, Goring-on-Thames, UK) following a non-clinical research into the effects of Peak Performance Training, i.e. HeartMath training, upon 18 volunteers.  The content below was presented as a poster at the British Association of Psychopharmacology conference, in Summer of 2005. 

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Background

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measurement of the beat-to-beat variation in heart rate. Heart rate is regulated by both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system therefore the study of heart rate variability allows an insight into the functions of the autonomic nervous system. It is used to provide a measure of health, with low HRV being a predictor of all-cause mortality and high HRV being a sign of good health {1}.  As mental and emotional perceptions change, the information is transmitted to the heart and other parts of the body by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. At times when we are stressed, busy, angry etc. the heart receives conflicting signals and a plot of HRV will appear jagged and disordered (graph 1). The type of electrical signal the heart is generating is said to be chaotic. The alternative electrical signal that is produced by the heart is one of coherence. This occurs when the cardiovascular system is operating efficiently and is in balance with the nervous system. When a coherent state is reached, the HRV plot will appear smooth and regular (graph 2).

Peak performance (i.e. HeartMath) training (PPT) teaches techniques that allow the quality of internal electrical signals sent to the brain from the heart to be consciously altered so that a “coherent” state can be reached.   During phases of coherence, individuals have been shown to have greater emotional and mental clarity, reduced self perceived stress levels and better sleep patterns {2}. One aspect of PPT involves use of a stress management tool, Freeze-Frame {3}. Freeze frame involves consciously disengaging mental and emotional reactions to events taking place either internally or externally and focusing on a positive emotion. This tool aims to shift the focus of the individual from the brain to the heart. Using this technique coupled with breathing at a steady rate allows a coherent state to be reached.

In order to measure when anindividual has reached a coherent state, a programme called Freeze Framer is used. This is a form of biometric feedback software which uses a digital sensor worn on one finger to measure the flow of blood through the finger whilst also measuring heart rate.

In order to build greater natural coherence into the pattern of the heart rate throughout the day, the Freeze-Frame technique is used for 17 minutes, four times a week (optimal) in sessions known as ‘lock-ins’.

Measures:

• CDR Composite Scores — Power of Attention, Continuity of Attention, Quality of Episodic Memory, Quality of Working Memory, Speed of Memory and Cognitive Reaction Time.
• Freeze-Framer
• Customised questionnaire with the General Hospital Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 and the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) embedded.

Method:

• 18 healthy volunteers aged 23-53, mean age 31 years, completed training on the CDR system.
• Before undergoing PPT, volunteers performed pre-study baseline CDR tests. After the second task in the CDR battery, a 5 minute freeze-framer measurement was taken. A second 5 minute measurement was taken following the final task in the CDR battery.
• Volunteers completed behavioural training, including the use of four tools: Freeze Frame, Neutral, Intuitive Listening and Lock-In.
• Volunteers were requested to practice using these tools over the following 7 weeks.
• 7 weeks later they performed the CDR tests and freeze framer measurements again.
• Questionnaires were completed at baseline and at the end of 7 weeks.

Analysis:

ANOVA with session numbers as class variable (pre/post-training). Pearson’s correlation between Freeze-frame data and CDR composite scores.

Results: The CDR data was analysed using 6 composite scores: Power of Attention, Continuity of Attention, Quality of Episodic Memory, Quality of Working Memory, Speed of Memory and Cognitive Reaction Time.

No changes were seen on composite scores reflecting the ability of volunteers to pay attention (Power of Attention, Continuity of Attention), or to the speed with which they were able to retrieve information from short term working memory or long-term memory (Speed of Memory). However, there was a statistically significant improvement (p<0.002) in a composite measure reflecting the ability to hold and retrieve information in memory (Quality of Episodic Memory). The improvements were large in magnitude, being over 12% for Quality of Episodic Memory (graph 3). Questionnaire data (HADS, (GHQ)-12) revealed that the volunteers felt calmer and more alert at the end of the study. No significant correlations were seen between Freeze-frame data and CDR composite scores at pre-training session however, post-training measures showed significant correlations between the 2 measures (table 1).

Table 1: Pearson’s correlations between freeze-frame and CDR data. *p<0.05 **p<0.01

Conclusions:

The data suggests that there is a link between the level of coherence attained and cognitive performance. More research is required to establish the nature of this relationship between levels of coherence and cognitive function.

References: {1} Tiller w, McCraty R, Atkinson. Cardiac Coherence: A new non-invasive measure of autonomic nervous system. Alternative Therapies. 1996: 52-65 {2} Akselrod S. Components of heart rate variability: Basic studies. In: Malik M and Camm A.J, Heart rate variability. Armonk NY: Futura Publishing Company, Inc., 1995: 147-163 {3} Singer DH, Martin GJ, Magid N et al. Low heart rate variability and sudden cardiac death. J. Electrocardiology. 1988 (suppl):46-55