Effects of Reading Task With or Without Verbalisation on Heart Rate Variability

Abstract

In the present work, effect of different reading passages with or without verbalization on heart rate variability has been assessed. The study was conducted on 13 subjects with age group 18–25 years and no medical history. The lead-II electrocardiogram was recorded using MP35 amplifier (Biopac Inc, USA) while subject was in sitting position. The paradigm for recording was designed using Superlab 4.5. The paradigm includes reading four different passages: (i) funny, 03 min duration, (ii) sad, 04 min duration, (iii) normal text (reading aloud), 10 min duration and (iv) normal (silent reading), 10 min duration. The observed findings revealed that the task imposes certain mental stress, which modulates both the SNS and PNS activity. The HRV analysis of different reading tasks clearly suggested the enhanced SNS activity and suppression/withdrawal of PNS activity.

Keywords: Heart rate variability, mental stress, reading aloud, reading silent

Cite this Article

Aggarwal Y, Shikha, Shukla S, et al. Effects of reading task with or without verbalization on heart rate variability. Research and Reviews: Journal of Neuroscience (RRJoNS). 2015; 5(1): 1–4p.