Neofunctional Deep Breathing for Stress Modulation

Modern life often exposes individuals to significant levels of stress, which can negatively impact both psychological well-being and physical health. Chronic stress is known to disrupt the body's natural balance, potentially affecting the immune system and contributing to various health problems. This interplay between the mind, nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system is studied within the field of Psycho-Neuro-Endocrino-Immunology (PNEI). Mind-Body Therapies (MBTs), such as Yoga, Mindfulness, and Qigong, often incorporate specific breathing techniques, particularly diaphragmatic breathing (deep, abdominal breathing), as a core component. These techniques are thought to exert their beneficial effects, at least in part, by stimulating the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a major component of the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the "rest and digest" system, which counteracts the stress response ("fight or flight") driven by the sympathetic nervous system. Enhanced vagal tone is associated with better stress regulation, reduced inflammation, and improved overall health. This study focuses on a specific diaphragmatic breathing technique derived from the Neo-Functionalism theoretical orientation. This approach suggests that therapeutic interventions targeting bodily functions can influence psychological states. Uniquely, the Neo-Functional technique, as applied in this study, involves not only guided breathing instruction but also direct physical contact and specific breathing maneuvers. While the long-term benefits of various MBTs are increasingly documented, there is limited research, particularly using rigorous, controlled designs, investigating the immediate physiological and psychological effects of a single session of a specific, guided diaphragmatic breathing technique involving manual assistance following an acute stress exposure. Healthy volunteers will be recruited via advertisements. It is planned to enroll a sample of 40 participants (aged 18-45 years, balanced for sex). For initial screening, interested subjects will be evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatry resident using a structured diagnostic interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 [SCID-5]) to exclude the presence of psychiatric disorders. All study assessments and procedures will take place at the premises of the Section of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, at the "P. Giaccone" Polyclinic in Palermo. Following the initial assessment and confirmation of eligibility, subjects will be randomized to either the Experimental group or the Control group. All experimental sessions will occur in a controlled setting within the Section of Psychiatry. During the session, anthropometric, psychological, and physiological parameters via biofeedback will be assessed for each participant. Anthropometric parameters include height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Psychological assessment includes the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (limited to the State scale - STAI-State) and the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS). Biofeedback parameters include heart rate (HR), skin conductance (SC), left deltoid surface electromyography (EMG), respiratory rate [breaths per minute, BPM] and respiratory amplitude [RESP AMP] derived from abdominal excursion, with biofeedback sensors remaining connected throughout the experimental procedure. Upon arrival (T0 - Baseline), anthropometric parameters will be assessed, then biofeedback sensors will be applied, and physiological parameters will be recorded at rest to establish the baseline; STAI-State and SUDS questionnaires will also be administered at this time. Subsequently, participants will undergo the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a standardized protocol used to induce psychophysiological stress under controlled conditions. The TSST is divided into 5-minute components and the whole procedure lasts approximately 15 minutes. At the end of the TSST (T1 - Post-Stress), physiological parameters via biofeedback will be measured again, and the STAI-State and SUDS questionnaires will be re-administered to assess the stress response. Immediately following this, participants will receive the intervention assigned by randomization for a duration of 30 minutes: the Experimental group will receive a diaphragmatic breathing intervention according to the Neo-Functional approach, conducted by specialized psychotherapists, involving active manual assistance to facilitate congruent respiratory movements; the Control group will rest in the same room in the presence of a therapist who, to control for the potential vagotonic effects of physical contact, will apply occasional non-specific physical contact to the participant's arm without providing breathing instructions or applying the specific diaphragmatic technique. At the end of the 30-minute intervention or control period (T2 - Post-Intervention), physiological parameters via biofeedback will be measured once more, and the STAI-State and SUDS questionnaires will be re-administered to evaluate stress recovery.

This research aims to provide initial evidence on the efficacy of a single session of Neo-Functional diaphragmatic breathing for acute stress recovery. Understanding the immediate neurobiological and psychological effects can inform the use of such techniques as accessible tools for stress management in daily life or during periods of tension. By including a control group matched for physical contact, the study aims to differentiate the specific benefits of the targeted breathing technique involving manual guidance from the more general effects of therapeutic presence and touch. The findings may contribute to the broader understanding of how targeted breathing practices influence the autonomic nervous system and subjective well-being. The psychoeducational component may also indirectly benefit participants by increasing their awareness of stress effects and potential coping strategies.