Effects of Postural Resonance on Skin Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Blood Pressure: A Pilot Study Evaluating Vascular Tone Baroreflex Stimulation Through Biofeedback

Abstract

Heart rate and vascular tension baroreflex exhibit resonance characteristics at approximately 0.1 and 0.03 Hz. In this study, we aimed to induce postural resonance (PR) through rhythmic postural adjustments. To assess the viability of this technique, we investigated the acute impacts of postural resonance on blood pressure, sympathetic nerve activity, and mood. Fifteen healthy study participants, consisting of 8 males and 7 females, were selected for this self-controlled study. Skin sympathetic nerve activity was continuously monitored during both the intervention and stress test on the experimental day. After PR intervention, the diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure in the PR group exhibited significant reductions compared to the CON group (P = 0.032, CON = 71.67 ± 2.348, PR = 64.08 ± 2.35; P = 0.041, CON = 75.00 ± 2.17, PR = 81.67 ± 2.17). After PR intervention both left brachial ankle pulse wave velocity and right brachial ankle pulse wave velocity exhibited a significant reduction compared to pre-intervention levels (from 1115.86 ± 150.08 to 1048.43 ± 127.40 cm/s, p < 0.001; 1103.86 ± 144.35 to 1060.43 ± 121.35 cm/s, p = 0.018). PR intervention also led to a significant decrease in burst frequency and duration (P = 0.049; CON = 8.96 ± 1.17, PR = 5.51 ± 1.17) and a noteworthy decrease in burst amplitude and burst threshold during the cold-pressor test (P = 0.002; P = 0.002). Additionally, VAS scores exhibited a substantial increase following PR (P = 0.035, CON = 28.4 ± 4.49, PR = 42.17 ± 4.10). PR can induce resonance effects within the cardiovascular system, resulting in the effective reduction of blood pressure, skin sympathetic nerve activity and pulse wave velocity, and decreased burst amplitude and burst threshold of the sympathetic nerve during the cold-pressor test.