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V. Perlitz
0.15 Hz to 0.4 Hz) and low frequency (LF, 0.04 Hz to 0.15 Hz) oscillations dominate
in blood pressure fluctuations, heart rate variability, skin blood flow, sympathetic
nerve discharges and neuronal activity in the brain stem. This classification is widely
agreed to reflect the so-called sympatho-vagal balance [1–9].
Recently, our group has described a highly stable intermediary rhythm manifesting
itself as a band centered on 0.15 Hz ± 0.03. Hence, this band is exactly at the watershed between high and low frequency oscillations. First noted in cutaneous vascular
bed circulation of the human ear lobe and forehead skin, this intermediary rhythm
emerged gradually as test subjects adjusted to the experimental setting. This process
was interpreted to correspond with a reduction in psychophysical load [10–16].
In this communication, we further elaborate physiological principles as well as
the relevance of the intermediary rhythm in the context of synergetics [17].
8.2 Methods
Detailed descriptions of our methodological approach have been given elsewhere
[12, 13, 18]. In general, informed written consent, a thorough medical history, and
socio-demographic data were obtained from test subjects before the study, which
was approved by the University’s (RWTH Aachen) review board. We renounced all
invasive interventions, such as pharmacological interventions to reduce psychomotor
drive but used instead of a well-known auto-suggestive relaxation technique, the
autogenic training (AT). This modality has been readily demonstrated to induce
predictably psychophysical responses in volunteers as well as in a great number of
clinical conditions in patients [11, 14, 19, 20]. Hence, it qualifies as a naturalistic
study design in that physiological coordination responses during complex cognitivepsychophysical drive reduction become observable. Data presented were chosen from
a healthy subject recruited from the college community (female, age 24 years, nonsmoker). The tests she participated in were recorded on three different occasions
(T0, T1, T2) for 10 min during naïve relaxation, followed by 10 min training the
practice of AT. Lacking any experience with AT, these tests were performed on the
test subject in a supine horizontal position, at an ambient temperature kept constant
at 22 ± 2 °C. Prior to all recording sessions an initial period of 30 min passed which
was needed to attach probes (see below). This also allowed the test subject to become
familiar with the laboratory situation. Only then the recording session was initiated.
It is of paramount relevance that she was encouraged during all recording sessions
to keep her eyes shut yet avoiding to fall asleep.
V. Perlitz
0.15 Hz to 0.4 Hz) and low frequency (LF, 0.04 Hz to 0.15 Hz) oscillations dominate
in blood pressure fluctuations, heart rate variability, skin blood flow, sympathetic
nerve discharges and neuronal activity in the brain stem. This classification is widely
agreed to reflect the so-called sympatho-vagal balance [1–9].
Recently, our group has described a highly stable intermediary rhythm manifesting
itself as a band centered on 0.15 Hz ± 0.03. Hence, this band is exactly at the watershed between high and low frequency oscillations. First noted in cutaneous vascular
bed circulation of the human ear lobe and forehead skin, this intermediary rhythm
emerged gradually as test subjects adjusted to the experimental setting. This process
was interpreted to correspond with a reduction in psychophysical load [10–16].
In this communication, we further elaborate physiological principles as well as
the relevance of the intermediary rhythm in the context of synergetics [17].
8.2 Methods
Detailed descriptions of our methodological approach have been given elsewhere
[12, 13, 18]. In general, informed written consent, a thorough medical history, and
socio-demographic data were obtained from test subjects before the study, which
was approved by the University’s (RWTH Aachen) review board. We renounced all
invasive interventions, such as pharmacological interventions to reduce psychomotor
drive but used instead of a well-known auto-suggestive relaxation technique, the
autogenic training (AT). This modality has been readily demonstrated to induce
predictably psychophysical responses in volunteers as well as in a great number of
clinical conditions in patients [11, 14, 19, 20]. Hence, it qualifies as a naturalistic
study design in that physiological coordination responses during complex cognitivepsychophysical drive reduction become observable. Data presented were chosen from
a healthy subject recruited from the college community (female, age 24 years, nonsmoker). The tests she participated in were recorded on three different occasions
(T0, T1, T2) for 10 min during naïve relaxation, followed by 10 min training the
practice of AT. Lacking any experience with AT, these tests were performed on the
test subject in a supine horizontal position, at an ambient temperature kept constant
at 22 ± 2 °C. Prior to all recording sessions an initial period of 30 min passed which
was needed to attach probes (see below). This also allowed the test subject to become
familiar with the laboratory situation. Only then the recording session was initiated.
It is of paramount relevance that she was encouraged during all recording sessions
to keep her eyes shut yet avoiding to fall asleep.