Dynamics of Heart Rate Variability in the Reflexivity Task at Different Levels of Anxiety

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of the effectiveness and adequacy of using reflection to reduce anxiety levels in groups with high and low anxiety. There is evidence in the literature of a negative correlation between heart rate variability (HRV) and anxiety levels, as well as also evidence of the positive influence of reflection and self-reference on HRV. The novelty of our study lies in the establishment of the validity of the author's reflexive projective methodology of imago-reflexive resource (МIRR) in solving the problems of anxiety reduction. The work is a contribution to the confirmation of the role of reflexion in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. The study involved 117 participants (average age 25±8 years). The sample was divided into groups with low and high anxiety, as well as experimental and control subgroups. The experimental subgroups underwent the author's method MIRR, aimed at activating reflection. Control groups performed tasks related to academic discipline - standard cognitive load. HRV recording was conducted before and after task completion. The results showed consistency with the literature. Specifically, the high anxiety group exhibited lower HRV. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the reflective MIRR method leads to activation of the parasympathetic regulatory circuit of the autonomic nervous system. The greatest shifts were observed in cases of high anxiety. In cases of low anxiety, the reflection process is characterized by the modulating effects of the vagus nerve on the cardiovascular system. Standard cognitive load led to activation of the sympathetic regulatory circuit. Thus, the MIRR method can be used as a tool to reduce anxiety levels.Further research is aimed at assessing the sustainability of the obtained results of anxiety reduction. It is promising to analyze the effectiveness of reflexive techniques in the technologies of psychological assistance to "at-risk" population groups.