We should be using nonlinear indices when relating heart-rate dynamics to cognition and mood.

ABSTRACT: Both heart rate (HR) and brain functioning involve the integrated output of a multitude of regulatory mechanisms, that are not quantified adequately by linear approximations such as means and standard deviations. It was therefore considered whether non-linear measures of HR complexity are more strongly associated with cognition and mood. Whilst resting, the inter-beat (R-R) time series of twenty-one males and twenty-four females were measured for five minutes. The data were summarised using time, frequency and nonlinear complexity measures. Attention, memory, reaction times, mood and cortisol levels were assessed. Nonlinear HR indices captured additional information, enabling a greater percentage of the variance in behaviour to be explained. On occasions non-linear indices were related to

SUBMITTER: Young H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4643265 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature