TY - JOUR
T1 - A pilot exploration of heart rate variability and salivary cortisol responses to compassion-focused imagery.
AU - Rockliff, Helen
AU - Gilbert, Paul
AU - McEwan, Kirsten
AU - Lightman, Stafford
AU - Glover, David
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - 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. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
AB - 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. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
SN - 1724-4935
VL - 5
SP - 132
EP - 139
JO - Clinical Neuropsychiatry: Journal of Treatment Evaluation
JF - Clinical Neuropsychiatry: Journal of Treatment Evaluation
IS - 3
ER -