A pilot exploration of heart rate variability and salivary cortisol responses to compassion-focused imagery.
Journal article
Authors | Rockliff, Helen, Gilbert, Paul, McEwan, Kirsten, Lightman, Stafford and Glover, David |
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Abstract | This study measured heart-rate variability and cortisol to explore whether Compassion-Focused Imagery (CFI) could stimulate a soothing affect system. We also explored individual differences (self-reported self-criticism, attachment style and psychopathology) to CFI. Participants were given a relaxation, compassion-focused and control imagery task. While some individuals showed an increase in heart rate variability during CFI, others had a decrease. There was some indication that this was related to peoples self-reports of self-criticism, and attachment style. Those with an increase in heart rate variability also showed a significant cortisol decrease. Hence, CFI can stimulate a soothing affect system and attenuate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in some individuals but those who are more self-critical, with an insecure attachment style may require therapeutic interventions to benefit from CFI. |
Keywords | Compassion; Cortisol; Depression; Imagery; Heart rate variability; Self-criticism |
Year | 2008 |
Journal | Clinical Neuropsychiatry: Journal of Treatment Evaluation |
Publisher | Giovanni Fioriti Editore |
ISSN | 17244935 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/622861 |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | |
hdl:10545/622861 | |
Publication dates | Jun 2008 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 30 Jul 2018, 14:43 |
Contributors | University of Derby, Kingsway Hospital, University of Bristol and Manchester Royal Infirmary |
File | File Access Level Open |
File | File Access Level Open |
File | File Access Level Open |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/94q17/a-pilot-exploration-of-heart-rate-variability-and-salivary-cortisol-responses-to-compassion-focused-imagery
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