Short-term autonomic nervous system and experiential responses during a labyrinth walk

dc.contributor.authorBehman, Philip James
dc.contributor.authorRash, Joshua A.
dc.contributor.authorBagshawe, Mercedes
dc.contributor.authorGiesbrecht, G. F.
dc.date.accessioned2018-12-03T19:52:51Z
dc.date.available2018-12-03T19:52:51Z
dc.date.issued2018-07-10
dc.description.abstractThe labyrinth is a simple geometric form with one path leading to the centre and out. It is often used in religious and health-related institutions for quiet walking and meditation. It is considered a convenient tool for decreasing psychological and physical stress. This study sought to better understand and characterize the short-term physiological responses of the autonomic nervous system associated with walking a projected light labyrinth by measuring respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and salivary alpha amylase (sAA) in 25 young adults and youth. Our objective was to examine the physiology of labyrinth walking as a potential clinical tool for use by individuals who are experiencing psychological stress. Three hypotheses were put forward: 1) walking the labyrinth would result in physiological arousal as indicated by a decrease in RSA and an increase in sAA; 2) physiological relaxation would be indicated by an increase in RSA after the labyrinth walk; and 3) participants would self-report calmness and relaxation following the labyrinth. Consistent with hypotheses, participants experienced immediate physiological arousal while walking the labyrinth, and heightened physiological and self-reported relaxation during and after the labyrinth walk.en_US
dc.identifier.citationBehman, P. J., Rash, J. A., Bagshawe, M., & Giesbrecht, G. F. (2018). Short-term autonomic nervous system and experiential responses during a labyrinth walk. Cogent Psychology, 5(1), 1495036. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2018.1495036en_US
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/23311908.2018.1495036en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/34673
dc.identifier.issn2331-1908
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/109222
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherCogent OAen_US
dc.publisher.departmentPaediatricsen_US
dc.publisher.facultyCumming School of Medicineen_US
dc.publisher.hasversionPublisher's versionen_US
dc.publisher.institutionAlberta Children's Hospitalen_US
dc.publisher.institutionMemorial University Of Newfoundlanden_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen_US
dc.publisher.policyhttps://www.cogentoa.com/faqen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries5: 1495036en_US
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0en_US
dc.subjectwalking meditationen_US
dc.subjectspiritual healthen_US
dc.subjecttherapeutic praxisen_US
dc.subjectwell beingen_US
dc.subjectheart rate variabilityen_US
dc.titleShort-term autonomic nervous system and experiential responses during a labyrinth walken_US
dc.typejournal articleen_US
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