Parasympathetic Research Articles

The effect of mindfulness meditation on dental anxiety during implant surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Dental implant surgery is almost always associated with patient anxiety. Anxiety during dental surgical procedures triggers an increase in sympathetic activity. Mindfulness meditation (MM) is often associated with high levels of relaxation in the form of increased parasympathetic tone and decreased sympathetic activity. However, the effect of MM on dental anxiety is not clear. The current study aimed to show the effects of a MM as a sedative technique during dental implant surgery by examining the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), bispectral index (BIS), cortisol levels (CL), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and saturation (SpO2) parameters. HR, SBP, DBP, SpO2, BIS score and CLs were compared at the baseline, immediately before-, during-, and immediately after surgery between the test and control groups. We found that the MM resulted in significant decrease in BIS together with positive effects on hemodynamic parameters (decrease of HR, SBP, DBP and increase of SpO2), psychological findings (improvement on STAI-S scores) and biochemical outcomes (decreased CL). In conclusion, the results demonstrate that MM appeared to be a reliable strategy for managing stress during dental implant operation with benefits in psychological, physiological and biochemical outcomes.

Cardiac response to water activities in children with Long QT syndrome type 1

Background Swimming is a genotype-specific trigger in long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1). Objective To examine the autonomic response to water activities in children and adolescents with LQT1. Methods In this cross-sectional study, LQT1 patients were age and sex matched to one healthy control subject. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded during face immersion (FI), swimming, diving, and whole-body submersion (WBS). Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured. The high frequency (HF) component of HRV was interpreted to reflect parasympathetic activity, while the low frequency (LF) component was interpreted as reflecting the combined influence of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity on autonomic nervous modulation of the heart. Results Fifteen LQT1 patients (aged 7–19 years, all on beta-blocker therapy) and fifteen age and sex matched non-medicated controls were included. No significant ventricular arrhythmias were observed in the LQT1 population during the water activities. Out of these 15 matched pairs, 12 pairs managed to complete FI and WBS for more than 10 seconds and were subsequently included in HR and HRV analyses. In response to FI, the LQT1 group experienced a drop in HR of 48 bpm, compared to 67 bpm in the control group (p = 0.006). In response to WBS, HR decreased by 48 bpm in the LQT1 group and 70 bpm in the control group (p = 0.007). A significantly lower PTOT (p < 0.001) and HF (p = 0.011) component was observed before, during and after FI in LQT1 patients compared with the controls. Before, during and after WBS, a significantly lower total power (p < 0.001), LF (p = 0.002) and HF (p = 0.006) component was observed in the LQT1 patients. Conclusion A significantly lower HR decrease in response to water activities was observed in LQT1 subjects on beta-blocker therapy, compared to matched non-medicated controls. The data suggests an impaired parasympathetic response in LQT1 children and adolescents. An aberrant autonomic nervous system (ANS) response may cause an autonomic imbalance in this patient group.

Home Based Walking Exercises and Alternative Nasal Breathing Decrease Blood Pressure in Pre-Elderly People with Hypertension

The condition known as hypertension is brought on by the body's elevated blood pressure as a result of the heart pounding too hard. Hypertension is caused by a variety of causes, including both modifiable and unmodifiable ones. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of alternate nostril breathing and walking exercise at home on the blood pressure of senior hypertension patients. A quasi-experiment with a pre-post test control group design methodology is used in the research design. Using the Total Sampling approach, 50 respondents with hypertension made up the research sample. In two weeks, the intervention was performed four times. The paired t-test results indicate that the combination of alternate nostril breathing and home-based walking exercise has an effect on blood pressure in the treatment group (both diastolic and systolic have p values = 0.000), while the control group experiences no change in blood pressure (diastolic has p values = 0.200 and systolic has p values = 0.195). The findings of the Independent T-Test demonstrated variations in blood pressure changes in both the systolic and diastolic domains between the treatment and control groups (diastolic p-value = 0.000), and systolic (p-value = 0.000). The findings of the Independent T-Test demonstrated variations in blood pressure changes in both the systolic and diastolic domains between the treatment and control groups ,diastolic (p-value = 0.000), and systolic (p-value = 0.000). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure drop as a result of an increase in endorphin chemicals and a decrease in cortisol. This calms and relaxes the body and balances the actions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It is advised that individuals with pre-elderly hypertension who are able to independently implement combination therapies in an attempt to control their blood pressure. Kata kunci: Home Based Walking Exercise, Alternate Nostril Breathing, Pre-Elderly, Hypertension

Glucose metabolism and autonomic function in healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at rest and during exercise.

Autonomic dysfunction is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the character of dysfunction varies in different reports. Differences in measurement methodology and complications might have influenced the inconsistent results. We sought to evaluate comprehensively the relationship between abnormal glucose metabolism and autonomic function at rest and the response to exercise in healthy individuals and T2DM patients. We hypothesized that both sympathetic and parasympathetic indices would decrease with the progression of abnormal glucose metabolism in individuals with few complications related to high sympathetic tone. Twenty healthy individuals and 11 T2DM patients without clinically evident cardiovascular disease other than controlled hypertension were examined. Resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), heart rate variability, spontaneous cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (CBRS), sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity and the MSNA response to handgrip exercise were measured. Resting MSNA was lower in patients with T2DM than in healthy control subjects (P=0.011). Resting MSNA was negatively correlated with haemoglobin A1c in all subjects (R=-0.45, P=0.024). The parasympathetic components of heart rate variability and CBRS were negatively correlated with glycaemic/insulin indices in all subjects and even in the control group only (all, P<0.05). In all subjects, the MSNA response to exercise was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (R=0.69, P<0.001). Resting sympathetic activity and parasympathetic modulation of heart rate were decreased in relationship to abnormal glucose metabolism. Meanwhile, the sympathetic responses to handgrip were preserved in diabetics. The responses were correlated with glucose/insulin parameters throughout diabetic and control subjects. These results suggest the importance of a comprehensive assessment of autonomic function in T2DM.

A Retrospective Study: Reduction of Anxiety Through Music Therapy During Hospitalization

Abstract This retrospective review of 56 charts of adult hospital patients examined verbal anxiety ratings (VAR) of premusic therapy- and post-music therapy sessions to report on the preliminary efficacy of live music interventions on anxiety. Due to the high rate of anxiety associated with hospitalization and its negative somatic and psychological effects, it is important that anxiety is assessed and treated by qualified professionals. Nonpharmacological approaches such as music therapy help to address the root of anxiety by providing a relaxation cue to patients’ parasympathetic nervous system and also address patients’ psychological concerns. This retrospective analysis explores the real-world evidence of music therapy for the treatment of hospital-associated anxiety symptoms through a review of all music therapy sessions with a charted verbal anxiety rating (VAR) ≥3 documented in the electronic health record. Paired samples t-test showed that music therapy sessions resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pre- and post-verbal anxiety rating; t(60) = 9.806, p &amp;lt; .001. This study demonstrates that music therapy is a feasible treatment modality for assessing and ameliorating self-reported anxiety symptoms in hospitalized adults.

The Influence of Spirituality on Psychological Resilience and Recurrence in Hypertension Patients

Hypertension is a chronic disease that is prone to recurrence and disrupts the balance of systemic hemodynamics to cause various serious multi-system complications. This study aimed to analyze the spiritual level in the regulation of resilience and relapse in hypertensive patients. We used a correlation analysis method with a cross-sectional approach. The population was 76 patients who were recorded as coming to the Puskesmas with a sample size of 62 respondents who were taken by simple random sampling. The independent variable was spirituality, as measured using the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES). The dependent variable was resilience as measured by the Nicholson–McBride Resilience Questionnaire (NMRQ) and hypertension recurrence. Statistical tests using Spearman’s rank with alpha (α) 0.05. The results of the statistical tests show a significant relationship between spirituality and resilience. The p-value obtained is 0.001 less than 0.05, with a level of closeness of 0.790 or solid. Spirituality is also significantly related to hypertension recurrence with a p-value of 0.011, smaller than alpha 0.05, and a level of closeness of -0.325, which means a moderate level of closeness. Deep spirituality will trigger the strengthening of resilience that regulates the balance of stress and homeostasis of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The physiological sympathetic and parasympathetic systems regulate vascular smooth muscle contractions to control blood pressure and reduce the rate of hypertensive recurrence.

What Disrupts Flow in Office Work? The Impact of Frequency and Relevance of IT-Mediated Interruptions

Flow, the holistic sensation people experience when they act with total involvement, is a known driver for desired work outcomes like task performance. However, the increasing ubiquity of IT at work can disrupt employees’ flow. Thus, the impact of IT-mediated interruptions on flow warrants more attention in research and practice. We conducted a NeuroIS laboratory experiment focusing on a typical office work task—an invoice matching task (i.e., matching customer payments to invoices). We manipulated interruption frequency (low, high) and content relevance (irrelevant, relevant) to study the impact of interruptions on self-reported flow, its dimensions, and high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV; calculated from electrocardiography recordings) as a proxy for parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activation. We found that content relevance moderated the relationship between interruption frequency and self-reported flow and that these results vary along flow dimensions. Content relevance also moderated the relationship between interruption frequency and PNS activation. Furthermore, self-reported flow was positively associated with both perceived and objective task performance, while PNS activation was not related to either performance measure. Lastly, we found no relationship between PNS activation (measured by HF-HRV) and self-reported flow, contributing to an important debate in the NeuroIS literature on whether physiological evidence constitutes an alternative or a complement to self-reports. Overall, our findings indicate that frequent interruptions are not harmful per se. Rather, considering content relevance is critical for a more comprehensive understanding of the effects on self-reported flow, its dimensions, and the underlying physiology.

The impact of a focused behavioral intervention on brain cannabinoid signaling and interoceptive function: Implications for mood and anxiety

The Wim Hof method (WHM) is a behavioral intervention technique that consists of deep breathing exercises, cold exposure and meditation. In light of the crucial role of the cannabinoid system in modulating neurotransmitter release through a negative feedback mechanism that aims at the maintenance of network homeostasis, our study investigated changes in cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor binding following a longitudinal (6 weeks) WHM intervention in 4 male controls using the F18]FMPEP-d2 PET tracer, an inverse CB1 receptor agonist. Results revealed a global increase in CB1 receptor binding of ∼20%, with largest increases found in brain regions associated with the interoceptive network such as the anterior cingulate, the orbitofrontal cortex OFC), the anterior insular cortex (AIC) and the brainstem. Furthermore, in the same participants a whole-body cold-stress paradigm was used to systematically evoke sympathetic and parasympathetic responses. Post-intervention, participants showed increased engagement of regions like the anterior insula and the orbitofrontal cortex that have been respectively classified as belonging to the brain’s interoceptive (AIC) and executive (OFC) sub-networks. Our results suggest that a relatively short 6-week WHM intervention positively impacts brain markers that have been associated with stress resistance, mood, anxiety and interoceptive function.

A study of cardiovascular reflex tests in adults with chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headache

Background: Autonomic function tests can be used by patients with chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headaches (TTH) as a non-invasive, sensitive, and reliable marker for evaluating heart function. Studies have demonstrated sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. Patients with migraines experience sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system hyperfunction, while tension headache sufferers experience the opposite. Aims and Objectives: Parasympathetic reactivity tests will be used in the current study to evaluate the cardiac autonomic functioning in patients with chronic migraine and chronic TTH in the adult age group. Materials and Methods: Two groups of headache patients were enrolled: Those with chronic migraine (n=25) and those with chronic TTH (n=25). To conduct statistical analyses, SPSS version 21 was used. For parameters with normal and abnormal distributions, the unpaired t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test, respectively, were employed. Results: Out of 25 subjects, parasympathetic reactivity tests such as Valsalva ratio (1.38±0.10 vs. 1.49±0.19, P=0.022*) and expiratory-inspiratory ratio (1.18±0.03 vs. 1.25±0.77, P=0.000*) in chronic migraine were significantly decreased as compared to chronic TTH. Lying to standing 30:15 ratio (1.15±0.08 vs. 1.19±0.10, P=0.090) and delta heart rate (14.56±1.39 vs. 14.96±1.43, P=0.320) was decreased in chronic migraine as compared to chronic TTH but was not significant. Conclusions: In contrast to the chronic TTH group, the chronic migraine group’s total parasympathetic tone was reduced. We therefore draw the conclusion from the findings that regular monitoring of the parasympathetic reactivity can be very helpful in predicting cardiovascular risk for these patients in addition to advising the treatment practices for chronic migraine and chronic TTH, which include regular exercise and medication.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Provides Neuroprotection Against Doxorubicin‐induced Chemobrain Via Activations of Both Muscarinic and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

AbstractBackgroundChemotherapy, particularly treatment with doxorubicin (Dox), is known to cause neurotoxicity in the brain known as chemobrain. Dox administration causes neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequent cognitive decline (1). Additionally, cancer survivors who received Dox were found to have an increased risk of developing dementia (2). Interestingly, the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) exerted neuroprotective effects on Alzheimer’s disease (3). However, the neuroprotective effects of VNS against Dox‐induced chemobrain have never been investigated. Moreover, whether the therapeutic effects of VNS are achieved via stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) needs further investigation.MethodTwenty male Wistar rats were divided into sham‐operated and VNS device‐implanted groups. After 2 weeks of recovery, all sham‐operated rats were divided and received either 0.9% NSS (Control; n = 4) or 3 mg/kg Dox for 6 doses (Sham; n = 4) via intraperitoneal injection. In addition, all VNS device‐implanted rats were treated with 3 mg/kg Dox for 6 doses and then randomly divided into 3 groups to receive either 0.9% NSS (VNS; n = 4), a mAChR antagonist (atropine; 1 mg/kg/day, VNS+Atro; n = 4), or a nAChR antagonist (mecamylamine; 7.5 mg/kg/day, VNS+Mec; n = 4). At the end of treatment protocol, cognitive function was assessed using the novel object location (NOL) task. The brains were obtained for further molecular studies.ResultDox treatment impaired cognitive performance in rats, as demonstrated by a decrease in the preference index in the NOL task (Figure A). Microglia in the CA1 region of Dox‐treated rats exhibited decreased process complexity and increased microglial volume, indicating reactivation of microglia (Figure B and C). Notably, Dox administration caused mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain, as evidenced by increased levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane depolarization (Figure D and E). Importantly, the intervention with VNS rescued long‐term cognitive function in Dox‐treated rats by ameliorating all chemobrain pathologies (Figure A‐E). In contrast, the therapeutic effects of VNS were completely abolished by blocking either mAChRs or nAChRs using their antagonists (Figure A‐E).ConclusionThe findings suggested that VNS protected against Dox‐induced chemobrain through activations of both nAChRs and mAChRs.

Cardiovascular dysfunction induced by combined exposure to nicotine inhalation and high-fat diet.

Smoking and high-fat diet (HFD) consumption are two modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) diseases, and individuals who are overweight or obese due to unhealthy diet are more likely to use tobacco products. In this study, we aim to investigate the combined effects of nicotine (the addictive component of all tobacco products) and HFD on CV health, which are poorly understood. C57BL/6N male mice were placed on either HFD (60 kcal% fat) or regular diet (22 kcal% fat) and exposed to air or nicotine vapor for 10-12 wk. CV function was monitored by echocardiography and radiotelemetry, with left ventricular (LV) catheterization and aortic ring vasoreactivity assays performed at end point. Mice on HFD exhibited increased heart rate and impaired parasympathetic tone, whereas nicotine exposure increased sympathetic vascular tone as evidenced by increased blood pressure (BP) response to ganglionic blockade. Although neither nicotine nor HFD alone or in combination significantly altered BP, nicotine exposure disrupted circadian BP regulation with reduced BP dipping. LV catheterization revealed that combined exposure to nicotine and HFD led to LV diastolic dysfunction with increased LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Moreover, combined exposure resulted in increased inhibitory phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and greater impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Finally, a small cohort of C57BL/6N females with combined exposure exhibited similar increases in LVEDP, indicating that both sexes are susceptible to the combined effect of nicotine and HFD. In summary, combined exposure to nicotine and HFD leads to greater CV harm, including both additive and new-onset CV dysfunction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Nicotine product usage and high-fat diet consumption are two modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Here, we demonstrate that in mice, combined exposure to inhaled nicotine and high-fat diet results in unique cardiovascular consequences compared with either treatment alone, including left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, dysregulation of blood pressure, autonomic dysfunction, and greater impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. These findings indicate that individuals who consume both nicotine products and high-fat diet have distinctive cardiovascular risks.

Influence of Mental Training of Attentional Control on Autonomic Arousal Within the Framework of the Temporal Preparation of a Force Task.

While temporal preparation has frequently been examined through the manipulation of foreperiods, the role of force level during temporal preparation remains underexplored. In our study, we propose to manipulate mental training of attentional control in order to shed light on the role of the force level and autonomic nervous system in the temporal preparation of an action. Forty subjects, divided into mental training group (n = 20) and without mental training group (n = 20), participated in this study. The influence of the attentional control and force levels on the autonomic nervous system were measured using the skin conductance response and the heart rate variability; the accuracy of the motor responses was measured using a method derived from machine learning. Behaviorally, only the mental training group reinforced its motor and attentional control. When using short foreperiod durations and high force level, motor and attentional control decreased, consistent with the dominant sympathetic system. This resulted in an increased anticipation rate of responses with a higher reaction time compared to the long foreperiods duration and low force level, in which the reaction time significantly decreased, with enhancement of the expected force level, showing consistency with the dominant parasympathetic system. Interestingly, results revealed a predictive relationship between the sympathovagal balance and motor and attentional control during the long foreperiods and low force level. Finally, results demonstrate that attentional mental training leads to the reinforcement of interactions between the autonomic nervous system and attentional processes which are involved in the temporal preparation of a force task.

An international survey of experiences and attitudes towards transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

ABSTRACT Background and objectives: Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a complex, multi-system neurological condition. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is a primary feature in diagnostic criteria, and management may include attempts to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation is an intervention that has been researched in neurological disorders, e.g. epilepsy, depression. While little evidence exists for its use in ME, this survey aims to explore the experiences and attitudes of people with ME to this intervention. Methods A 31-question online survey was devised and released on ME websites, Twitter and Facebook pages. People with ME read the information sheet and followed an online link to the survey. The survey was open for four weeks and all answers were anonymous. Results 116 responses were received. 56% of respondents reported favourable effects. Benefits of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation were identified in relation to post exertional malaise, pain, gut problems, urinary problems, mental health, and the ability to leave the house. 67.2% of respondents would recommend the intervention to other people with ME. However, 4.3% would not recommend it and 6% reported it made them worse. 8.6% received support in setting up the device from healthcare workers. Conclusion The survey highlights that many people with ME experience significant benefits from using transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation; however due to potential negative effects there is the need for formal intervention studies to clearly identify safe parameters.

The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation

BackgroundEvidence shows relaxation techniques reactivate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) following physiological stressors such as exercise. As such, these techniques may be useful following exercise training of high intensity sports, like collegiate football.PurposeTo evaluate the impact of mindfulness and rest activities on PNS reactivation following training sessions, in a sample of Division-I collegiate, male football athletes.MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional, pre-post experimental design among 38 football athletes. Following three training sessions, each separated by one week, athletes were exposed to three groups: mindfulness, rest, and no-intervention. Athletes in the mindfulness group laid supine in a darkened room, while performing 15 min of guided breathing and body scans. The rest group remained seated in a lighted room, performing 15 min of restful activities (e.g., talking). The no-intervention group was instructed to perform usual post-training activities (e.g., showering). Heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR) and two HR variability (HRV) indices were measured via an armband monitor (Warfighter Monitor, Tiger Tech Solutions, Inc, Miami, FL) equipped with electrocardiographic and photoplethysmography capabilities. HRV indices included standard deviation of the N-N intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD). Within and between-group differences were determined via analysis of variance (ANOVA) and corrected for multiple comparisons familywise error.ResultsStatistically significant reductions in HR and RR were observed across all groups: −81.6, −66.4, −40.9 bpm and −31.7, −26.9, and −19.0 breaths⋅min−1, respectively. The mindfulness and rest groups exhibited a larger within-group reduction in HR and RR compared to the no-intervention group, p &amp;lt; 0.0000. Additionally, the mindfulness group showed a larger reduction in HR and RR compared to the rest group, p &amp;lt; 0.05. Post-intervention HR and RRs were significantly lower in the mindfulness group relative to the no-intervention group (77.0 vs. 120.1 bpm, respectively). Similar results were observed for RR (15.0 vs. 23.6 breaths⋅min−1, respectively) and HRV indices (SDNN: 46.9 vs. 33.1 ms and rMSSD: 17.9 vs. 13.8 ms, respectively) Athletes in the rest group showed significantly lower post-intervention HR (−30.2 bpm, 89.9 vs. 120.1 bpm, respectively), RR (−4.3 breaths⋅min−1, 19.3 vs. 23.6 breaths⋅min−1, respectively) and significantly higher HRV (SDNN: 42.9 vs. 33.1 ms and rMSSD: 16.7 vs. 13.8 ms, respectively) compared to their no-intervention counterparts.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that athletes engaging in either 15-minute guided mindfulness or rest activities (e.g., sitting) post training, may facilitate PNS reactivation. Implementing these strategies may accelerate recovery, improving performance. Longitudinal, randomized controlled trials among diverse sports are encouraged.

The Interplay of Peer Victimization and Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity on Acute Inflammatory Stress Responses in Adolescence.

This study examined the extent to which adolescent peer victimization predicted acute inflammatory responses to stress, and whether both resting parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity and PNS stress reactivity moderated this association. 83 adolescents (Mage = 14.89, SDage = 0.52, 48% female) reported their history of peer victimization and were exposed to a standardized social stress task before and after which dried blood spot samples were collected to assay inflammatory markers. Inflammatory responses to the stress task were assessed with a latent inflammatory change factor using the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). PNS functioning, indexed by high-frequency heart rate variability, was measured at rest and during the stressor. Contrary to hypotheses, analyses revealed no direct relation between peer victimization and acute inflammatory responses, and resting PNS activity did not moderate this association. However, peer victimization predicted stronger inflammatory responses among adolescents with weaker PNS reactivity to the stress task (b = 0.63, p = .02). This association was not observed among adolescents with stronger PNS reactivity, for whom a negative but non-significant trend was found. Weaker PNS reactivity may thus indicate victimized adolescents' vulnerability for acute inflammatory responses, whereas stronger PNS reactivity may indicate adolescents' resilience to a social stressor.

Pupillometry to show stress release during equine sports massage therapy

Anecdotal reports state that wellness treatments for horses, such as massage therapy, relaxes the treated animal. Massage therapists and horse owners typically report an ”improvement” without verifying or quantifying the treatment results. This paper shows that the effect of wellness treatment and stress release can be measured with pupillometry. One of the horse’s pupils was photographed at the beginning and end of the treatment to determine the changes in the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic system activities. The owners assigned horses to two experimental groups: animals receiving a massage (N = 18) and horses standing with a person next to the horse for the time of a massage in the stable lane (N = 10). Six animals in the experimental group were excluded from the analysis because the pupils could not be traced. We opened the images of the pupil with Fiji (ImageJ) and used the elliptical selection tool to measure the pupils’ and iris’ areas. The ratio between the pupils’ aperture and the iris’ area was a normalized measure for pupil size. At the end of the experiment, we compared the normalized size of the pupils with a two-tailed paired t-test within groups and a two-tailed t-test between groups. For the experimental group, it was before and after the treatment, and for the control group, before and after the horse was placed in the stable lane. Comparisons between the experimental and control groups were made at the procedure's beginning and end. The treatment significantly decreased the normalized pupil area in the experimental group, on average, by a factor of 0.78 ± 0.15 (P = 0.042). For the horses in the control group, the pupil size increased, on average, by a factor of 1.14 ± 018. Changes were statistically not significant (P = 0.19). The initial pupil size of the horses in the experimental group was 1.88 times larger than that in the control group. After the treatment, the difference was reduced to a factor of 1.25. At the beginning of the experiment, the horses in the experimental group had, on average, larger pupil sizes than the horses in the control group, indicating that the horses in the experimental group were more stressed before the treatment than the control animals. The observed changes in pupil size in the experimental group likely resulted from enhanced parasympathetic and diminished sympathetic activity resulting from the treatment. Observed changes in pupil size agree with the anecdotal horse owner reports and the therapist’s treatment notes.

Apocynum venetum leaf extract alleviated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by regulating organic acid metabolism in gut microbiota

Apocynum venetum leaf is commonly utilized for its beneficial effects in reducing blood pressure, inducing sedation, promoting diuresis, anti-aging, and cardioprotection, which also exhibit positive effects on the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota plays a role as an endocrine organ by producing bioactive metabolites that can directly or indirectly impact host physiology, specifically cardiovascular diseases. In this study, main chemical components of A. venetum leaf extract (AVLE) were identified by LC-MS, and an orally administered AVLE was employed to treat mice with doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity. The results showed that AVLE contained hyperoside and oganic acids. The pharmacological findings revealed that AVLE regulated the gut microbiota, resulting in a significant increase in the levels of two organic acids, indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) and acetic acid (AA). Both IPA and AA exhibited the ability to reduce BNP, CK, and LDH levels in mice with Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. Moreover, IPA demonstrated an improvement in Dox-induced cardiac injury by inhibiting apoptosis, while AA promoted increased secretion of ghrelin through the parasympathetic nervous system, subsequently reducing cardiac fibrosis by decreasing collagen I, collagen III, and activin A. Hence, our study demonstrates that AVLE exerts a beneficial cardioprotective effect by modulating the gut microbiota, providing a potential novel target for the treatment and prevention of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

Multimodal coupling and HRV assessment characterize autonomic functional changes in congestive heart failure patients with sinus rhythm or severe arrhythmia

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is a significant characteristic of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) serves as an index of parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) function usually quantified by the high-frequency power of heart rate variability (HRV). However, the high breathing rate of CHF patients results in deviations when estimating RSA by HRV. Multimodal coupling analysis (MMCA) is a novel method of quantifying RSA which decomposes the R-R signal adaptively into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) followed by identification of the RSA-related IMF. MMCA also calculates the phase synchronization between RSA-related IMF and respiratory signals to exclude the influences that are unrelated to RSA. In this study, we introduced HRV and MMCA-derived parameters to quantify ANS function for CHF patients, along with their comparisons in the clinical efficacy evaluation. Thirty-seven CHF patients were recruited, including 17 with sinus rhythm (SRHF) and 20 with severe arrhythmia (ARHF). Our results showed that all parameters for SRHF patients increased after treatment except for LF/HF. Only LF/HF, α2, and MMCA-derived RSA showed significant differences after treatment for ARHF patients, wherein the MMCA-derived RSA significantly decreased regardless of the left ventricular ejection fraction. The PNS function and ANS balance were recovered in all the CHF patients after treatment. Metrics including MeanRR, SDRR, LF, HF, TPower, SD1, SD2, and MMCA-derived RSA showed more significant improvements in SRHF patients whose New York Heart Association functional class improved after treatment. These metrics can be used to guide prognosis and therapeutic efficacy monitoring.

Impaired cholinergic integrity of the colon and pancreas in dementia with Lewy bodies.

Dementia with Lewy bodies is characterized by a high burden of autonomic dysfunction and Lewy pathology in peripheral organs and components of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Parasympathetic terminals may be quantified with 18F-fluoroetoxybenzovesamicol, a PET tracer that binds to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in cholinergic presynaptic terminals. Parasympathetic imaging may be useful for diagnostics, improving our understanding of autonomic dysfunction and for clarifying the spatiotemporal relationship of neuronal degeneration in prodromal disease. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the cholinergic parasympathetic integrity in peripheral organs and central autonomic regions of subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies and its association with subjective and objective measures of autonomic dysfunction. We hypothesized that organs with known parasympathetic innervation, especially the pancreas and colon, would have impaired cholinergic integrity. To achieve these aims, we conducted a cross-sectional comparison study including 23 newly diagnosed non-diabetic subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies (74 ± 6 years, 83% male) and 21 elderly control subjects (74 ± 6 years, 67% male). We obtained whole-body images to quantify PET uptake in peripheral organs and brain images to quantify PET uptake in regions of the brainstem and hypothalamus. Autonomic dysfunction was assessed with questionnaires and measurements of orthostatic blood pressure. Subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies displayed reduced cholinergic tracer uptake in the pancreas (32% reduction, P = 0.0003) and colon (19% reduction, P = 0.0048), but not in organs with little or no parasympathetic innervation. Tracer uptake in a region of the medulla oblongata overlapping the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus correlated with autonomic symptoms (rs = -0.54, P = 0.0077) and changes in orthostatic blood pressure (rs = 0.76, P < 0.0001). Tracer uptake in the pedunculopontine region correlated with autonomic symptoms (rs = -0.52, P = 0.0104) and a measure of non-motor symptoms (rs = -0.47, P = 0.0230). In conclusion, our findings provide the first imaging-based evidence of impaired cholinergic integrity of the pancreas and colon in dementia with Lewy bodies. The observed changes may reflect parasympathetic denervation, implying that this process is initiated well before the point of diagnosis. The findings also support that cholinergic denervation in the brainstem contributes to dysautonomia.

A comparative study of the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulphate and intravenous dexmedetomidine in attenuating haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation

Both laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation elicit a sympathetic and parasympathetic response, which varies depending on the depth of anaesthesia, duration of laryngoscopy, and patient characteristics. Although different methods have been used to suppress the response, an ideal agent has yet to be discovered. This study compares and contrasts the effectiveness of intravenous dexmedetomidine and intravenous magnesium sulphate in reducing hemodynamic response during laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.: This 18-month prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative research was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Bokaro General Hospital, Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand. One hundred twenty consenting study participants were randomly divided into three groups of forty. Before induction, Group A received IV normal saline as a placebo. Group B received 1 mcg/kg IV dexmedetomidine before induction, while Group C received 30 mg/kg IV 50% magnesium sulphate before induction.: Gender distribution was consistent and equal among 120 patients. Gender, age, weight, ASA, and type of surgery did not differ significantly across groups. The three groups had no statistically significant difference in baseline hemodynamic parameters. When compared to the Control Group (A), there were statistically significant changes in hemodynamic parameters in the Dexmedetomidine (B) and Magnesium sulphate (C) groups. There was no hypotension, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, or arrhythmias.: Dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulphate efficiently reduced the hemodynamic stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation, although dexmedetomidine attenuated the sympathetic response more effectively.