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Pharmacopsychiatry 2001; 34(3): 111-113
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14279
Short Communication
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Autonomic Profile under Hypnosis as Assessed by Heart Rate Variability and Spectral Analysis

C. v. Hippel, G. Hole, W. P. Kaschka
  • University of Ulm, Department of Psychiatry I, Zentrum für Psychiatrie Weissenau, Ravensburg
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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To test the hypothesis of a sympathovagal balance shift towards an enhanced vagal tone under the condition of a standardized hypnosis, we used the assessment of heart rate variability including spectral analysis in 10 healthy subjects (5 female, 5 male, age ranging from 27 to 42 years). We compared the subjects under baseline condition (resting) and under hypnosis, measured on a different day, for a measuring period of five minutes for each condition. The result was reduced total power in the low frequency band (0.01 - 0.05 Hz) reflecting sympathetic activity. Also, the ratio of low to high frequency power (LFIHF) was reduced when under hypnosis. This reduction was due to a reduced LF component, but only a slightly reduced mid frequency component. With considerable variability, we also found activated mid frequency bands (0.05 - 0.15 Hz) under hypnosis, likely reflecting baroreceptor activity. We conclude that the autonomic status in hypnosis is associated with a change towards reduced low frequency activity, but not necessarily with enhanced high frequency activity.

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Wolfgang P. KaschkaMD Professor of Psychiatry 

University of Ulm, Department of Psychiatry I
Zentrum für Psychiatrie Weissenau

PO Box 2044

88214 Ravensburg

Phone: +49-751-7601-2222

Fax: +49-751-7601-2224

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