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Vagal tone is reduced during paced breathing in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome

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Abstract

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often complain of an inability to maintain activity levels and a variety of autonomic-like symptoms that make everyday activiry intolerable at times. The purpose of the study was to determine if there were differences in vagal activiry at fixed breathing rates in women with CFS. Twelve women with the diagnosis of CFS between the ages of 32 and 59 years volunteered for the study. Healthy women, who were between the ages of 30 and 49, served as controls. Full signal electrocardiograph and respiratory signals were collected during a paced breathing protocol of three fixed breathing rates (8, 12 and 18 breaths/min) performed in the sitting and standing postures. Vagal activity was analyzed by means of heart rate spectral analysis to determine the subject's response to specific breathing rates and postures. Heart rate variability was used as a non-invasive method of measuring the parasympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system. Using this method, although there was significantly less vagal power in the sitting versus the standing postures for both groups, the overall vagal power was significantly lower (p < 0.034) in the CFS group versus healthy controls. Vagal power was also significantly lower (p < 0.01 to p < 0.05) at all breathing rates in both postures except while standing and breathing at 18 breaths/min. Knowledge of the differences in vagal activity for CFS patients may allow stratification for the analysis of other research variables.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurobehavioral Unit, VA Medical Center, 385 Tremont Ave (127A), 07018-1095, East Orange, NJ, USA

    S. A. Sisto MA PT, W. Tapp PhD, S. Drastal MS, M. Bergen BSEE & D. Cordero BA

  2. Departments of Physical Therapy and Research, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Inc., W. Orange, NJ, USA

    S. A. Sisto MA PT & I. DeMasi MA PT

  3. Department of Neurosciences, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/NJ Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA

    W. Tapp PhD, D. Cordero BA & B. Natelson MD

  4. NJ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Center, VA Medical Center, E. Orange, NJ, USA

    B. Natelson MD

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  1. S. A. Sisto MA PT
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  2. W. Tapp PhD
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  3. S. Drastal MS
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  4. M. Bergen BSEE
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  5. I. DeMasi MA PT
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  6. D. Cordero BA
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  7. B. Natelson MD
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Sisto, S.A., Tapp, W., Drastal, S. et al. Vagal tone is reduced during paced breathing in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical Autonomic Research 5, 139–143 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01826195

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01826195

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