EFFECT OF 4-7-8 BREATHING EXERCISE ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN PARTIALLY SLEEP-DEPRIVED YOUNG ADULTSAN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is defined as the fluctuation in the time interval between successive 
heartbeats. It is an important indicator of autonomic imbalance and cardiovascular health. Research studies have 
shown that the effect of partial sleep deprivation on HRV has yielded inconclusive results. Our Objectives were 
to determine whether the HRV parameters in the morning following partial sleep deprivation were different from 
those following normal 7-8 hours of sleep at night in the same participants and to determine the acute effect of 
the 4-7-8 breathing exercises on HRV in partial sleep-deprived subjects when practiced for 20 mins.