This study investigated the effects of eye movements on electroencephalograms (EEG), heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure (BP) in a stressful situation. The study compared the subjects in their 20s before and after inducin...
This study investigated the effects of eye movements on electroencephalograms (EEG), heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure (BP) in a stressful situation. The study compared the subjects in their 20s before and after inducing stress with a 3D roller coaster VR, and compared the groups according to whether or not they participated in eye movements in a stressful situation. As a result of the study, quantitative EEG relative intensities (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma), ratio indices (DAR, TAR, TBR), stress index, HR and HRV (SDNN, RMSSD), and blood pressure (systolic, diastolic) were measured. Changes were observed in most EEGs except for gamma in the comparison before and after inducing stress (delta↓, theta↑, alpha↓, beta↑; p<0.05). In particular, the effect size of theta was the largest, and TAR and TBR also increased significantly (p<0.05), suggesting arousal load such as decreased attention efficiency and mental fatigue. In parallel, an increase in HR, a decrease in RMSSD, and an increase in systolic blood pressure were observed, supporting the autonomic nervous system imbalance with sympathetic dominance. On the other hand, when eye movements were performed in a stressful situation, the overall EEG ratio indices (DAR, TAR, TBR) were significantly reduced (in a comparison between groups, the experimental group had a greater decrease and effect size than the control group). In terms of relative intensity, theta↓, alpha↑, and beta↓ trends were observed, showing a pattern of relaxation and cognitive recovery. HR decreased and SDNN·RMSSD significantly increased, confirming the recovery of parasympathetic nerve activity (in a comparison between groups, the experimental group was superior). Blood pressure was lowered in both systolic and diastolic phases, and in particular, systolic was significant in both groups, and diastolic was significant in the experimental group. The homogeneity test confirmed that the baseline states of the two groups before the intervention were similar, securing the internal validity of the intervention effect. In conclusion, eye movements in a stressful situation had a positive effect on physiological indices such as EEG, heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood pressure. Eye movements were found to have a positive effect in alleviating cortical hyperarousal and autonomic nervous system imbalance immediately after stress induction, improving concentration as measured by brain waves, and relaxing the tense body. Heart rate, beat variability, and blood pressure showed that they have a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system, and in particular, they were effective in enhancing the parasympathetic nervous system, which suppresses excessive excitement. This study will have clinical significance as an effective method in the field of psychiatry, which requires treatment to reduce stress and improve concentration, and in the fields of physical therapy and sports, which require the expectation of a stable state from an excited state of the autonomic nervous system.