Improved stress coping using the Wim Hof breathing method, a clinical trial

Bakker, Jorick (2023) Improved stress coping using the Wim Hof breathing method, a clinical trial. Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b), Biology.

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Abstract

The Wim Hof method was assessed for its claim to be able to lower anxiety and stress. The Wim Hof method, created by the Dutch athlete Wim Hof, is a technique based on three pillars that claims to improve overall health. The three pillars are breathing, cold therapy and commitment. Here specifically the Wim Hof breathing method (WHBM) was examined. A group following the WHBM and a control group were tested over the duration of 2 weeks. In total 12 people participated. Stress was measured examining heart rate during an ice shock experiment. This ice shock experiment showed how well participants were able to deal with psychological and physical stress. It was expected that the WHBM group would improve in stress coping over the two weeks compared to the control group. However looking at the heart rate and heart rate variability, the WHBM group did not significantly increase their level of stress coping. This suggests that the WHBM on its own does not help with stress coping and might need to be combined with the other pillars to do so. However these findings are limited by the small sample size and future research is required.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b))
Supervisor name:	Scheurink, A.J.W. and Olivier, J.D.A. and Drion, C.M.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b)
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2023 11:46
Last Modified:	13 Jul 2023 11:46
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/30608

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