Slow deep breathing prevents the development of tachygastria and symptoms of motion sickness

Background: The purpose of this study was to see if slow deep breathing, a non-pharmacological procedure known to increase parasympathetic nervous sys tem (PNS) activity, would prevent the development of gastric dysrhythmias a nd symptoms of motion sickness when subjects were exposed to a rotating opt okinetic drum. Methods: Participating in this study were 46 healthy males a nd females aged 17-26 who were pre-tested in the rotating drum and found to be susceptible to motion sickness. They were randomly placed into one of t he following three conditions: Slow Deep Breathing (n = 18), Counting Breat hs (subjects were asked to count their breaths and asked for the count ever y 3 min, n = 16), and Control (subjects breathed normally, n = 12). Electro gastrograms were recorded from all subjects during a 6-min baseline and a 1 6-min rotation period. Subjects were asked about their symptoms every 3 min . Results: A significant difference in percent tachygastria from baseline t o rotation was found between the three conditions. Percent tachygastria inc reased during rotation for the Counting Breaths group and the Control group , but remained the same as baseline for the Slow Deep Breathing group. The Slow Deep Breathing group (5.3) reported significantly fewer symptoms than the Counting Breaths group (9.0), but not the Control group (7.8). Conclusi on: In conclusion, slow deep breathing in a situation previously demonstrat ed to provoke tachygastria prevented the development of gastric dysrhythmia s and decreased symptoms of motion sickness.