A moment of calm: the psychological sigh CITATIONS

Citations List — Open Post & Deep Dive

Citations cover both the Open Post and the Deep Dive. Sources added during the Claude review process are marked [Added in review]. All citations are formatted in APA 7th edition. Verify via Consensus (consensus.app) or PubMed before use. Total: 11 references across 4 categories.

1. Cyclic Sighing — Primary Trial Evidence

The core RCT directly testing the psychological/cyclic sighing technique.

Balban, M. Y., Neri, E., Kogon, M. M., Weed, L., Nouriani, B., Jo, B., Holl, G., Zeitzer, J. M., Spiegel, D., & Huberman, A. D. (2023). Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal. Cell Reports Medicine, 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100895  [Open Post & Deeper Look]

2. Slow Breathing, Autonomic Regulation & Vagal Tone

Systematic reviews and studies on the physiological effects of slow, controlled breathing.

Hopper, S. I., Murray, S. L., Ferrara, L. R., & Singleton, J. K. (2019). Effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing for reducing physiological and psychological stress in adults: a quantitative systematic review. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports. https://doi.org/10.11124/jbisrir-2017-003848  [Open Post & Deeper Look]

Sakurai, M., Hu, A., Yamaguchi, T., Tabuchi, M., Ikarashi, Y., & Kobayashi, H. (2023). Conscious slower breathing predominates parasympathetic activity and provides a relaxing effect in healthy Japanese adult women. Health. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2023.159064  [Deeper Look [Added in review]]

Sakurai, M., Ikarashi, Y., Tabuchi, M., Hu, A., Yamaguchi, T., & Kobayashi, H. (2024). Static stretching combined with conscious slower breathing may increase parasympathetic activity and reduce stress in adult women. Health. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2024.163020  [Deeper Look [Added in review]]

Shao, R., Man, I., & Lee, T. M. C. (2024). The effect of slow-paced breathing on cardiovascular and emotion functions: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Mindfulness, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02294-2  [Open Post & Deeper Look [Added in review]]

Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M., Garbella, E., Menicucci, D., Neri, B., & Gemignani, A. (2018). How breath-control can change your life: a systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353  [Open Post & Deeper Look]

3. Sighing: Physiology, Psychology & the Relief Effect

Research on the biology of sighing, the relief effect, and the resetter model.

Li, P., Janczewski, W. A., Yackle, K., Kam, K., Pagliardini, S., Krasnow, M. A., & Feldman, J. L. (2016). The peptidergic control circuit for sighing. Nature, 530, 293–297. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature16964  [Deeper Look]

Magnon, V., Dutheil, F., & Vallet, G. T. (2021). Benefits from one session of deep and slow breathing on vagal tone and anxiety in young and older adults. Scientific Reports, 11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98736-9  [Open Post & Deeper Look]

Severs, L. J., Vlemincx, E., & Ramirez, J. M. (2022). The psychophysiology of the sigh: I: The sigh from the physiological perspective. Biological Psychology, 170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108313 [Deeper Look]

Vlemincx, E., Abelson, J. L., Lehrer, P. M., Davenport, P. W., Van Diest, I., & Van Den Bergh, O. (2013). Respiratory variability and sighing: a psychophysiological reset model. Biological Psychology, 93, 24–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2012.12.001  [Open Post & Deeper Look]

Vlemincx, E., Diest, I., & Bergh, O. (2016). A sigh of relief or a sigh to relieve: the psychological and physiological relief effect of deep breaths. Physiology & Behavior, 165, 127–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.07.004  [Deeper Look [Added in review]]

4. Nuances & Cautions: Instructed vs Spontaneous Sighing

Research highlighting the limits and individual differences in breathing-based interventions.

Vlemincx, E., Taelman, J., Van Diest, I., & Van Den Bergh, O. (2010). Take a deep breath: the relief effect of spontaneous and instructed sighs. Physiology & Behavior, 101, 67–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.04.015  [Open Post & Deeper Look]