Positive emotion induction improves cardiovascular coping with a cognitive task

Feeling positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive cardiovascular response (greater heart rate variability, HRV), associated with improved cognitive performance. This study aims to test whether the induction of a positive emotional state produce such cardiovascular response and therefore, enhance...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PeerJ (San Francisco, CA) CA), 2021-03, Vol.9, p.e10904-e10904, Article e10904
Main Authors: Molins, Francisco, Pérez-Calleja, Tania, Abad-Tortosa, Diana, Alacreu-Crespo, Adrian, Serrano-Rosa, Miguel Ángel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain research
Cardiology
Cognition
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive ability
Coping
Emotional induction
Emotions
Executive function
Heart beat
Heart rate
Heart-rate variability
Hypotheses
Medical imaging
Memory
Nervous system
Neuroscience
Positive emotions
Psychiatry and Psychology
Tower of Hanoi
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Summary:Feeling positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive cardiovascular response (greater heart rate variability, HRV), associated with improved cognitive performance. This study aims to test whether the induction of a positive emotional state produce such cardiovascular response and therefore, enhance coping and performance in Tower of Hanoi (ToH). Forty-two Participants were randomly distributed into two groups (Experimental and Control). Experimental group was subjected to the evocation of a memory of success, while control group was subjected to an attentional task before performing ToH. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), activity of the zygomatic major muscle (ZEMG) and emotions were measured. Emotional induction increased ZEMG activity, feelings of emotional valence and HRV, but the performance in ToH was not different from control. Experiencing positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive psychophysiological response when faced with a complex cognitive task. These results are discussed in relation to clinical practice and health.
ISSN:2167-8359
2167-8359
DOI:10.7717/peerj.10904