• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2021

Background and objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a forest healing program in terms of depression, neuropsychological and physiological benefits for the elderly. Methods: For this purpose, we developed a forest therapy program for the elderly who are vulnerable to dementia and conducted a total of 11 sessions of forest therapy activities in a forest once a week. We measured the changes in depression, resting-state Electroencephalography(EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) before and after the program. There were 60 subjects aged over 65 yesrs old. 30 subjects participated in the forest therapy program, and the other were in the control group. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to measure the level of depression, neuroNicle FX2 (Laxtha, Korea) was used to measure the resting-state EEG, and photoplethymogram (ubpulse T1, Laxtha, Korea) was used to measure the HRV. Results: The results showed that the depression index of the experimental group improved with statistical significance after the program (experiment group = 3.267 decrease of the mean). In the EEG measurement, the alpha-peak frequency at rest (experimental group = 0.227 Hz increase of the mean) was improved (mean increase = 0.23 in the experimental group, p < .05). The high frequency of HRV, which represents the parasympathetic nerve activity of the body's autonomous response, was also significantly improved (mean increase = 0.396 in the experimental group, p < .05). Conclusion: The results suggest that the forest therapy program can reduce the cognitive, psychological and physical risk factors of dementia for the elderly at risk of cognitive decline. Therefore, forest therapy activities may be suitable for the prevention of dementia in the elderly.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.1173-1183
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the clinical characteristics of functional dyspepsia (FD) patients with food retention (FR) in regard to the parameters of cutaneous electrogastrography (EGG), Ryodoraku, and heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: This study reviewed the clinical records of 33 FD patients with FR who filled out the FR Questionnaire for FD (FRQ-FD) and underwent EGG for six months from March 1st, 2021. We summarized the clinical characteristics of FD patients with FR and analyzed the correlation between FRQ-FD score and parameters of EGG, Ryodoraku, and HRV. Results: FRQ-FD scores had a positive correlation with percentage of postprandial bradygastria and negative correlation with power ratio, detected on Channel 2, 3 of EGG. The total average (TA) Ryodoraku score was lower, and the high frequency density (HF) of HRV was higher than the normal value. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that clinicians can use EGG, Ryodoraku, and HRV to increase the accuracy of diagnosing FR in FD patients.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Lebed method exercise (LME) on nurses' depression, anxiety and stress. The LME is a therapeutic exercise and movement program developed by Sherry Lebed Davis and expected to lessen the stress level of nurses and enhance the nursing job's satisfaction and efficiency. This study was utilized a non equivalent control group pre-post test design. Method: The subjects were 36 nurses in total; 18 in experimental group and 18 in control group. The data were collected from March to August, 2008. For the experimental group, 8 hour-long lectures on stress management and LME were given for 12 weeks. For the control group, only lectures on stress management was given. Depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and heart rate variability were measured on the subjects in both groups as pre- and post tests. The data were analyzed by Kolmogrov-Smirov test and P-P plot, t-test and $x^2-test$ using the SPSS program. Results: As proposed in the hypothesis, the subjects in the experimental group experienced less depression (t=2.286, p=.029), less anxiety (t=3.319, p=.002) and less perceived stress(t=2.862, p=.007) than those in the control group. Conclusion: The LME is considered an effective exercise to improve depression, anxiety, and to lessen stress for the nurses. The LME program has potential to be one of the effective stress management interventions for nurses in the future.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.83-94
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• 2023

Objectives: To investigate the correlation of anxiety or depression mood with physical stress of 59 participants (29 who complained of chronic headache and 30 who did not complain of headache) using a questionnaire on chronic headache symptoms, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Methods: In this study, medical records of 59 participants (29 who complained of chronic headache and 30 who did not complain of headache) who completed the BAI, BDI, HRV, and Questionnaire for chronic headache symptoms were evaluated. All data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 26.0). Descriptive Analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi square test (Fisher's exact test), and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. Results: 1. The chronic headache group had significantly lower SDNN, RMSSD, TP, LF, and HF values on HRV than the general control group. 2. As BAI and BDI scores of the chronic headache group increased, the overall HRV value tended to decrease, indicating a deep association. 3. There was a negative association between BDI and HRV values in the chronic headache group, although such association was not statistically significant. Conclusions: BDI can be negatively correlated with HRV (SDNN, RMSSD, TP, LF, HF) in chronic headache patients.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.125-132
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• 2023

This study investigated the effects of continuous Singing Bowl healing on brainwaves and autonomic nervous system responses. The variations in brainwaves were measured during 45-minute sessions in eight participants, before and after Singing Bowl healing sessions to assess the changes in brainwaves before and after five weeks of Singing Bowl healing treatment. BioBrain BIOS-S8 was used to obtain brainwave measurements. Electrodes were placed on six channels: F3, F4, T3, T4, P3, and P4. A standard limb lead I with electrodes was used for electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements. Using the collected brainwave data, changes in brain waves were observed before and after five weeks of Singing Bowl healing. Beta waves, alpha waves, and sensorimotor rhythm were found to have reduced, while theta waves, delta waves, and the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals in heart rate variability had increased. These results indicate that continuous Singing Bowl healing over five weeks can stabilize brainwaves, activate the autonomic nervous system, and increase the relaxation-inducing effects of the parasympathetic nervous system.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 2024

This study investigates the physiological and psychological effects of a nature-based outdoor activity program in an environment reflecting the characteristics of forest and coastal areas on 30 firefighters (average age: 40.4 ± 9.8 years) who are frequently exposed to dangerous situations. Blood pressure, pulse pressure, and heart rate variability were used as physiological measurement indicators, and the Korean versions of PANAS (positive affect and negative affect schedule), WEMWBS (Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale), and PRS (perceived restorativeness scale) were used as psychological measurement indicators. For four days and three nights, the participants experienced programs at Hallyeohaesang Nature Center and the surrounding mountains, seas, and islands, utilizing forest resources such as trekking on forest trails, walking barefoot, taking aromatic footbaths, meditating in forest oxygen domes, and lying on relaxation chairs, and programs utilizing marine resources such as taking a boat to an island, walking on forest trails with seascape views, and sailing on a yacht. Participants' systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure decreased, and participants' positive emotions increased and negative emotions decreased after the program. There was a statistically significant increase in mental well-being and perceived restorative environment. Through this study, it was found that nature-based outdoor activity programs based on forest and marine resources are effective in physiological and psychological stability of firefighters. It is hoped that the results of this study will be applied to other high-risk workers for PTSD, who have high stress levels, by combining forest healing and marine healing, and expanding the scope and diversity of programs in more diverse environments and conditions.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2000

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) is known to be associated with the changes of autonomic nervous system (ANS). Nasal continuous positive airway pressure(nCPAP) treatment was found to correct abnormal ANS changes in OSAS but it remains to be further clarified. We aimed to assess the effects of nCPAP on ANS manifested on electrocardiogram, using spectrum analysis in the subjects with OSAS. Methods: Digital polysomnography was performed in 18 patients with OSAS(mean age $43.7{\pm}16.6$ years ; 17 males, 1 female ; mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) $48.6{\pm}20.9$) for one baseline and another CPAP nights. From each night, 300 continuous beats of ECGs without artifact were chosen from both stage 2 sleep and REM sleep and they were used for power spectrum analysis. We compared between baseline and CPAP nights the heart rate variability including VLF(very low frequency power), LF (low frequency power), HF(high frequency power), R-R means, R-R variance, and LF/HF ratio, using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results: In all patients, nCPAP proved to be effective in relieving apneas and snoring. During nCPAP night compared with baseline night, decreases in VLF(p<0.05), LF(p<0.01), and R-R variance(p<0.05) were found in stage 2 sleep, and decreased LF(p<0.05) was found in REM sleep. No significant differences in each sleep stage were found in other variables between the two nights. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that OSAS increases the activity of sympathetic nervous system and nCPAP application effectively decreases the activity. And nCPAP does not appear to influence the parasympathetic nervous activity in OSAS.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.216-231
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• 2007

Background : An acceleration or deceleration of the heart rate (HR), which reflects autonomic effects, is observed before the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The purpose of this study was to assess the discrepancy in the autonomic interactions before the onset of PAF for different patterns of change in the HR. Materials and Methods : From 105 Holter tapes with the PAF recorded, 55 episodes (42 patients, 34 men, $58{\pm}12$ years) of PAF (>5 min), preceded by a sinus rhythm for more than 1 hour, were selected and submitted to time-domain and frequency-domain HR variability analyses. Fifty-five episodes were divided into 2 groups: group A PAF (n=30) with acceleration of the HR during the last 2 minutes before the PAF and group B (n=25) with deceleration of the HR. Results : A significant linear decrease in the mean R-R interval was observed in group A ($924{\pm}30$ to $835{\pm}28ms$, $P$=0.001) and an increase from $831{\pm}32$ to $866{\pm}31ms$ in group B PAF episodes ($P$=0.046). In the frequency-domain analyses, the LF/HF ratio exhibited a progressive linear increase before the PAF in group A ($P$=0.005). The HF normalized units (HFnu) and natural logarithm-transformed HF ($In$HF) values decreased from $30.8{\pm}4.0$ to $16.1{\pm}1.8$ ($P$=0.003) and $4.49{\pm}0.25$ to $4.07{\pm}0.22$ ($P$=0.001), respectively. Contrary to the results in group A, a significant increase in the HF components (HFnu and $In$HF) (from $22.6{\pm}3.2$ to $30.2{\pm}4.0$, $P$=0.005, and $4.27{\pm}0.27$ to 4.75 0.33, $P$=0.001, respectively) and a resultant decrease in the LF/HF ratio were observed in group B PAF episodes. No significant changes were observed in the LF components in either PAF group. Conclusion : Autonomic stimuli leading to an acceleration or deceleration of the HR before the onset of AF are due to parasympathetic modulation. Parasympathetic modulation plays a key role in the initiation of PAF.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.219-232
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• 2024

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of body mass index (BMI) and drumming exercise on autonomic nervous system function in adult women. Ten adult women (aged 30-50) were divided into two groups based on their BMI: a normal BMI group (Low BMI, LBMI < 23 kg/m²) and an overweight BMI group (High BMI, HBMI > 23 kg/m²). Both groups participated in a drumming exercise program, consisting of 50-minute sessions, three times a week, for a duration of 8 weeks. Body composition and heart rate variability were assessed before and after the 8-week exercise period. Heart rate variability was evaluated using linear analysis in the time domain and frequency domain. Additionally, non-linear analysis was conducted using a Poincaré plot. The autonomic nervous system index was determined by measuring parasympathetic nervous system index and sympathetic nervous system index. Following the 8-week intervention, the HBMI group exhibited a significant decrease in weight (p=0.034), BMI (p=0.044), body fat mass (p=0.032), and waist circumference (p=0.013) compared to the LBMI group. Furthermore, the HBMI group demonstrated significant increases in RMSSD (p=0.018) and TP (p=0.033) in linear analysis, as well as SD1 (p=0.018) in non-linear analysis and PNS Index (p=0.040) compared to the LBMI group. RMSSD, SD1, and PNS Index serve as indicators of parasympathetic nervous system activity in linear and non-linear analyses, respectively. These findings indicate that drumming exercise significantly enhances autonomic nervous system function in overweight women.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to verify the emotional response of user to LED light colors in healing bed system in cypress tree. Eight colors of LED light were provided including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet and white. And three illumination color temperature were provided including 3,000K, 5,000K, 8,000K. Seven subjects in their twenties were involved without the medical history of eyes and heart disorders. The subjects were exposed to LED lighting during 5 minutes and their emotional response was evaluated through the following: first, at the physiological effect heart rate variability(HRV) was measured during the stimulation; second, at the emotion level the subjects were asked about lighting color and color temperature through a survey. Results, lower color temperature of 3,000K and green color shows high value on HRV. We have found that there is a difference of physiological and emotion level effect depending on color stimulus. This study could be applied to reference data to analysis of a decrease in fatique and charges of brain waves for color stimulus.