• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.721-732
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• 2010

As increasing of electrical device usage, social concerns about the possible effects of 60Hz electromagnetic fields (EMF) on human health have increased. The number of people with self-attributed electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) who complain of subjective symptoms such as headache, insomnia etc. also increased. However, we don't know whether the EHS results from psychological factor or real perception to the electromagnetic field. In this study, we simultaneously investigated physiological changes(heart rate, respiration rate, heart rate variability, alpha and beta waves in EEG), subjective symptoms and perception accuracy to assess origins of subjective symptoms according to the EMF exposure. Experiment consists of real and sham sessions and 60Hz 12.5uT magnetic field was on(real) or off(sham) to 15 EHS and 16 nonEHS. As the results, EMF exposure did not have any effects on physiological parameters or subjective symptoms for both groups. There was also no evidence that EHS group perceived the EMFs correctly than the control group. Therefore, the origins of subjective symptoms is not the 60Hz magnetic field but psychological factors.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.68-76
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• 2012

Objectives: Sleep disorders cause changes of autonomic nervous system (ANS) which affect cardiovascular system. Primary insomnia (PI) makes acceleration of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone by sleep deficiency and arousal. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) sets off SNS by frequent arousals and hypoxemias during sleep. We aimed to compare the changes of heart rate variability (HRV) indices induced by insomnia or sleep apnea to analyze for ANS how much to be affected by PI or OSAS. Methods: Total 315 subjects carried out nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG) were categorized into 4 groups - PI, mild, moderate and severe OSAS. Severity of OSAS was determined by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Then we selected 110 subjects considering age, sex and valance of each group's size [Group 1 : PI (mean age=$41.50{\pm}13.16$ yrs, AHI <5, n=20), Group 2 : mild OSAS (mean age=$43.67{\pm}12.11$ yrs, AHI 5-15, n=30), Group 3 : moderate OSAS (mean age $44.93{\pm}12.38$ yrs, AHI 16-30, n=30), Group 4 : severe OSAS (mean age=$45.87{\pm}12.44$ yrs, AHI >30, n=30)]. Comparison of HRV indices among the four groups was performed with ANCOVA (adjusted for age and body mass index) and Sidak post-hoc test. Results: We found statistically significant differences in HRV indices between severe OSAS group and the other groups (PI, mild OSAS and moderate OSAS). And there were no significant differences in HRV indices among PI, mild and moderate OSAS group. In HRV indices of PI and severe OSAS group showing the most prominent difference in the group comparisons, average RR interval were $991.1{\pm}27.1$ and $875.8{\pm}22.0$ ms (p=0.016), standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN) was $85.4{\pm}6.6$ and $112.8{\pm}5.4$ ms (p=0.022), SDNN index was $57.5{\pm}5.2$ and $87.6{\pm}4.2$ (p<0.001), total power was $11,893.5{\pm}1,359.9$ and $18,097.0{\pm}1,107.2ms^2$(p=0.008), very low frequency (VLF) was $7,534.8{\pm}1,120.1$ and $11,883.8{\pm}912.0ms^2$ (p=0.035), low frequency (LF) was $2,724.2{\pm}327.8$ and $4,351.6{\pm}266.9ms^2$(p=0.003). Conclusions: VLF and LF which were correlated with SNS tone showed more increased differences between severe OSAS group and PI group than other group comparisons. We could suggest that severe OSAS group was more influential to increased SNS activity than PI group.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.24-33
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• 2002

Objectives: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) corrected elevated blood pressure (BP) in some studies of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) but not in others. Such inconsistent results in previous studies might be due to differences in factors influencing the effects of CPAP on BP. The factors referred to include BP monitoring techniques, the characteristics of subjects, and method of CPAP application. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of one night CPAP application on BP and heart rate (HR) reactivity using non-invasive beat-to-beat BP measurement in normotensive and hypertensive subjects with OSAS. Methods: Finger arterial BP and oxygen saturation monitoring with nocturnal polysomnography were performed on 10 OSAS patients (mean age $52.2{\pm}12.4\;years$; 9 males, 1 female; respiratory disturbance index (RDI)>5) for one baseline night and another CPAP night. Beat-to-beat measurement of BP and HR was done with finger arterial BP monitor ($Finapres^{(R)}$) and mean arterial oxygen saturation ($SaO_2$) was also measured at 2-second intervals for both nights. We compared the mean values of cardiovascular and respiratory variables between baseline and CPAP nights using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Delta ($\Delta$) BP, defined as the subtracted value of CPAP night BP from baseline night BP, was correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), baseline night values of BP, BP variability, HR, HR variability, mean $SaO_2$ and respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and CPAP night values of TWT% (total wake time%) and CPAP pressure, using Spearman's correlation. Results: 1) Although increase of mean $SaO_2$ (p<.01) and decrease of RDI (p<.01) were observed on the CPAP night, there were no significant differences in other variables between two nights. 2) However, delta BP tended to increase or decease depending on BP values of the baseline night and age. Delta systolic BP and baseline systolic BP showed a significant positive correlation (p<.01), but delta diastolic BP and baseline diastolic BP did not show a significant correlation except for a positive correlation in wake stage (p<.01). Delta diastolic BP and age showed a significant negative correlation (p<.05) during all stages except for REM stage, but delta systolic BP and age did not. 3) Delta systolic and diastolic BPs did not significantly correlate with other factors, such as BMI, baseline night values of BP variability, HR, HR variability, mean SaO2 and RDI, and CPAP night values of TWT% and CPAP pressure, except for a positive correlation of delta diastolic pressure and TWT% of CPAP night (p<.01). Conclusions: We observed that systolic BP and diastolic BP tended to decrease, increase or remain still in accordance with the systolic BP level of baseline night and aging. We suggest that BP reactivity by CPAP be dealt with as a complex phenomenon rather than a simple undifferentiated BP decrease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.57-63
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• 2009

Objectives : Since the Front Points are treated as response zone, it can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of disease in viscera and bowels. Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) is the Front Point of SIMPO, it is related with cardiovascular, neuro-psychiatrical disease in aspect of Oriental Medicine. This research is for clarifying relations with palpation of the Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) and autonomic nerve system by comparing HRV and SRI(Stress Reaction Index). Methods : This study was proceeded for three months, from June 2009 to September 2009. Among 31 healthy volunteers, 13 subjects who complained the pressure pain around Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) are classified pressure pain group and 18 subjects who had no pain around Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) as normal group. All subjects had their HRV(SA-2000E: Medicore Co..Ltd. Korea) and SRI measured at visit. We studied the difference of HRV between two groups.(Statistics by Student t-test, p<0.05) Results : LF normalization of the pressure pain group were significantly higher than those of the normal group. HF normalization of the pressure pain group were significantly lower than those of the normal group. Compared with those of the normal group, total SRI of the pressure pain group were low but it's not significant. Conclusions : The results of HRV of the pressure pain group show that pressure pain around Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) is related to mental stress and autonomic disturbance.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.111-119
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• 2009

Objectives : To assess the characteristics of electropyography(EMG) and heart rate variability(HRV) values in idiopathic facial palsy inpatients of different Sasang constitutions. Methods : Medical records of 103 idiopathic facial palsy inpatients who underwent facial EMG testing and HRV testing were retrospectively reviewed. All subjects had been consulted to the department of Sasang constitution for constitution differentiation. The Sasang constitutional and age distribution were initially analyzed, and axonal loss percentage values on EMG were correlated with Sasang constitution and sex. HRV results were also correlated with Sasang constitution and sex. Results : 1. 24.4 percent of idiopathic facial palsy inpatients were of the Soyang constitution, 52.4 percent were of the Taeum, and 23.3 percent were of the Soeum. Patients in their fifties were most common in all constitutions(27.8%). 2. Mean axonal loss values for the temporal, zygomatic, and buccal branches were all statistically significantly lower in the Taeum constitution compared with Soyang or Soeum(p<0.05). 3. Mean axonal loss values for the temporal, zygomatic, and buccal branches were all statistically significantly lower in men than women(p<0.05). 4. The mean LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in idiopathic facial palsy inpatients of the Soeum constitution compared with Soyang and Taeum(p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in mean MHRT, SDNN, TP, VLF, LF, and HF of different constitutions. 5. The mean SDNN was significantly lower in women inpatients compared with men(p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in mean MHRT, TP, VLF, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio. Conclusions : The Sasang constitutional composition of idiopathic facial palsy inpatients closely adheres to the composition proposed in Dong-eui-su-se-bo-won, but the Taeum and Soeum proportion is slightly larger and the Soyang proportion slightly smaller. Axonal loss value on EMG was significantly lower in the Taeum constitution, and in men(p<0.05, <0.05). Mean LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in the Soeum constitution compared with Soyang and Taeum(p<0.05), and mean SDNN was significantly lower in women(p<0.05).

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.47-62
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• 2012

Objectives : This study is to figure the relations of the heart rate variability, body component analysis and accompanying symptoms of 350 insomnia patients. Methods : For this study we evaluated Heart Rate Variability(HRV) and body component analysis on 350 insomnia patients who visited Dongeui oriental hospital of Dongeui university from January 2008 to March 2012. The accompanying symptoms was collected based on each patient's progress note. Results : 1. There was no difference between PR, LF and VLF of male and female groups. HF was higher in the patients' of female group and LF/HF ratio was higher in the male group. The patients' group of age under 39 had higher HF, LF, VLF and LF/HF ratio than the group over 39. 2. The average of LF was the smallest, and the average of VLF was in the middle, while the average of HF was the largest. 3. Regarding patients' age and gender, as the patients' age increased, their HF, LF, VLF and LF/HF ratio decreased significantly. HF, LF, VLF, and LF/HF ratios were, however, independent on the patients' gender. As the patients' age increased, their BMI increased, while the patients' gender did not affect on their BMI. The amount of visceral fat increased with the patients' age, but wasn't dependent on the patients' gender. 4. As the patients' BMI increased, PR and LF decreased. As the patients' amount of visceral fat increased, PR, HF, LF and VLF decreased. 5. The most frequent accompanying symptoms of the insomnia patients was headache. Neither HF nor LF/HF ratio was dependant on any of the accompanying symptoms. Patients with anxiety showed significantly higher LF than those without anxiety. Patients with fatigue and physical pain showed significantly higher VLF than those without either of them. Conclusions : The study showed that as the insomnia patients age increased, the HF, LF, VLF, LF/HF ratio significantly decreased, but the BMI and visceral fat increased. The HF, LF, VLF, LF/HF ratio BMI, or the visceral fat was independent on the gender. As BMI increased, PR and LF decreased. As visceral fat increased, PR HF, LF and VLF decreased. Patients presenting anxiety had higher LF. Patients either with fatigue or physical pain had higher VLF. Neither HF nor LF/HF ratio had any significant correlation with any of the accompanying symptoms.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2017

This study is designed as a non-equivalent controlled before-and-after quasi-experimental study by having a control group for the effect of the interpersonal caring music activity program in children of single-parent families. Data collection was carried out in 22 children of single-parent families as the study group and in 23 children as the control group recruited from 22 community centers for children located in N city from July to September, 2014. As the study tool, the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was used to measure loneliness, self-esteem scale and the stress response. With the collected data and using SPSS 18.0 for Window program, the Homogeneity test between the study group and the control group was conducted by using t-test and ${\chi}^2$-test while the study hypotheses were verified by analyzing with the independent t-test. The results of the study are as follows. Loneliness and self-esteem of the subjects did not show significant difference in the study groups. The sympathetic nervous system activity (normalized LF) has been lowered and the parasympathetic nervous system activity (normalized HF) has been increased as the stress response, while the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system activity ratio (LF/ HF) score was lowered with significant difference, which had supported the hypotheses. Based on these results of this study, the interpersonal caring music activity program can be utilized as a stress management program for the children of single-parent families during a short period of time.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.155-162
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• 2014

Objectives Advanced researches on the relationship between obesity and heart rate variability (HRV), heretofore, focused on characteristics of HRV depending on the state of obesity. However, the previous researches have not quantified predictive power of HRV toward the obesity-related variables, which is rather more meaningful for clinicians who regularly treat obese patients. Hence, we designed a research to investigate whether HRV could predict serum levels of obesity-related metabolites. Methods Ninety obese premenopausal women meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited. The HRV test, blood sampling, and measurement of physical traits were conducted. Multiple regression analysis of the measurement data was carried out, putting obesity-related metabolites (insulin, glucose, triglyceride, hs-CRP, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol) as outcome variables and the others as predictors. To select appropriate predictive variables, the Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) was applied. Normality and homoskedasticity of residuals for each model were tested to identify if there were any violations of the regression analysis's basic assumption. Logarithm transformation was used for the values of the concentration of metabolites and the HRV. Results The regression model including Total Power (TP) value and BMI had significant predictive power for serum insulin concentration (F(2, 88)=835.7, p<0.001, $R^2=0.95$). The regression coefficient of ln (TP) was -0.1002. However, it was not sure if the HRV could predict concentrations of other metabolites. Conclusions The results suggest that the Total Power (TP) value of the HRV can predict the level of serum insulin. If the BMI could be assumed as being constant, when the TP value is multiplied by n, the predicted change of insulin could be drawn by multiplying $n^{-0.1002}$. The uncertainty of this model can be assumed as approximately 5%.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.109-116
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• 2008

Objectives : This study investigated the effect of imbalance of autonomic nerve system on the idiopathic facial palsy by the comparison Heart Rate Variability results of Facial palsy group and healthy control group, and to clarify correlation between House-Brackmann Grade and Heart Rate Variability results. Methods : 119 idiopathic facial palsy patients and 88 health subjects who underwent HRV test were retrospectively reviewed based on medical records. We compared between the HRV results of facial palsy group and that of normal control group, and also compared the HRV results of facial palsy subgroup classified by House-Brackmann Grade. Results 1. All HRV results－Mean Heart Rat(MHRT), Standard Deviation of all the Normal RR intervals(SDNN), Total Power(TP), Very Low Frequency(VLF), Low Frequency(LF), High Frequency(HF), ratio betwween the Low Frequency and High Frequency power(LF/HF ratio) of facial palsy group are decreased compared to that of normal control group, especially SDNN, TP, VLF, LF, LF/HF ratio showed significant difference(p<0.05). 2. HRV results showed no significant correlation in House-Brackmann Grade. Conclusions : This study showed that lower HRV results of facial palsy group than normal control group and suggests that imbalance of autonomic nerve system related with facial palsy. HRV could be a objective tool to reflect condition of idiopathic facial palsy patients.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2021

Objectives Despite growing attention to anxiety in bipolar disorder (BD), little research has assessed anxiety symptoms in the course of BD. The current prospective follow-up study examines the influence of subjectively and objectively measured anxiety symptoms on the course of BD. Methods A total of 49 patients with BD were followed-up prospectively for average of one year at an average of four months interval. The Korean version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, heart rate variability (HRV) were used to measure anxiety subjectively, objectively and physiologically. Participants were divided into high and low anxiety groups based on their K-BAI scores. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to compare the recurrence of mood episode, suicide attempt, emergency room visit, and psychiatric hospitalization between two groups. Mediators were investigated with Cox proportional hazards models. Results Compared to the low anxiety group, the high anxiety group reported significantly higher impulsiveness (p = 0.016) and lower high frequency component on HRV (p = 0.007) after controlling for severity of BD. Regarding survival analysis, the high anxiety group showed hastened depressive episode recurrence (p = 0.048) and suicidal ideation was the mediator of the hazard ratio (HR) 1.089 (p = 0.029) in the Cox model. Moreover, the high anxiety group showed a tendency of accelerated suicide attempt (p = 0.12) and impulsivity was the risk factor of suicide attempt (HR = 1.089, p = 0.036). Conclusions This interim analysis of prospective study suggests that high anxiety level in BD may anticipate unfavorable course. Further studies are needed to understand the multifactorial mechanism of anxious bipolar patients.