Download

Download Full Text (547 KB)

Instructor/Advisor

Laura Kurdziel

Keywords

Slow-paced breathing, Anxiety, Heart Rate Variability, and Risky Decision Making

Abstract

Anxiety is closely linked to decision-making, particularly in risk-taking contexts. Slow paced breathing has been shown to affect heart rate variability as well as emotional regulation. This study investigates the impact of slow paced breathing on anxiety and decision making through a two-session experimental design. Participants complete both a control and a breathing session. In each session, they first rate their current emotions and watch a relaxing video to measure baseline HRV. In the breathing session, participants then engaged in several minutes of box breathing before completing the Iowa Gambling Task. This task is used to measure risky decision-making. In the control session, they proceed directly to the Iowa Gambling Task following the baseline data collection. We expect to find that slow paced breathing increases heart rate variability, reduces anxiety, and leads to better decision making in the Iowa Gambling Task. The findings from this study will highlight the potential importance of slow paced breathing as an intervention for anxiety regulation and risk-related decision making.

BRAVE: Breathing, Risk-taking, Anxiety, and Vagal Enhancement

Share

COinS