Psychophysiological Responses to Six Single-Session Self-Regulation Interventions in a Female Adult With ADHD and Stabilized Bipolar Disorder

Summary

This study aims to explore how six short, 15-minute self-regulation techniques affect the body and brain in a female adult with ADHD and stabilized bipolar disorder. The techniques being tested include:

* Aerobic exercise
* Controlled breathing (cyclic sighing)
* Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil
* Listening to specific music (Solfeggio 528 Hz)
* Virtual reality relaxation with forest imagery
* Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping One session of quiet sitting with eyes open serves as a comparison.

The participant will attend one 15-minute session per week for each technique. Before and after each session, the researchers will measure:

* Heart rate and heart rate variability
* Stress levels using Subjective Units of Distress Scale
* Mood using a questionnaire
* Blood pressure
* Brain activity using EEG
* Memory performance with a simple test (N-back)
* Pain sensitivity The goal is to understand how these short, non-invasive techniques influence both physiological and psychological responses. Sessions are safe, short, and designed to involve minimal risk. The findings may help guide future research on relaxation and exercise strategies for people with ADHD and bipolar disorder.

Conditions

• ADHD - Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity
• Bipolar Affective Disorder; Remission in

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Cycloergometer

The participant performs a 15-minute session of moderate-intensity cycling on a stationary ergometer. Moderate intensity is defined as 64-76% of maximum heart rate according to ACSM guidelines. The exercise load is set to 2 watts per kilogram of body weight. Heart rate is monitored using a Polar chest strap.

BEHAVIORAL

Cyclic Sighing

The participant performs cyclic sighing for 15 minutes while sitting in a chair. They inhale slowly, and once the lungs are expanded, perform a second inhale to maximally fill the lungs, even if the second inhale is shorter or smaller in volume than the first. They then slowly and fully exhale all their breath. The participant performs all inhales and exhales through the nose.

BEHAVIORAL

Aromatherapy

The participant undergoes a 15-minute aromatherapy session while sitting comfortably in a chair in a closed room (2 m × 4 m). Lavender essential oil is diffused into the air using an aroma diffuser placed approximately 1 meter from the participant. The participant breathes normally and does not perform controlled breathing.

BEHAVIORAL

Music Therapy

The participant listens to 528 Hz solfeggio frequency music for 15 minutes while seated comfortably in a quiet, closed room. Music is delivered through headphones or a speaker at a comfortable volume.

BEHAVIORAL

Virtual Reality Nature Immersion

The participant wears a VR headset and views a 15-minute immersive forest and nature environment while seated comfortably in a quiet, closed room. The VR experience includes visual and auditory elements of a natural forest scene.

BEHAVIORAL

Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping

The participant performs a 15-minute Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping session while seated comfortably in a quiet, closed room. The participant taps on standardized acupressure points in the following order: karate chop (side of hand), inner eyebrow, side of eye, under eye, under nose, chin, collarbone, under arm, and top of head. Each point is tapped 10-15 times with steady, moderate pressure.

BEHAVIORAL

Resting State (Control Session)

The participant sits quietly in a chair with eyes open for 15 minutes in a calm, closed room. No active intervention, tapping, breathing exercises, music, aromatherapy, or virtual reality is administered during this session. The participant is instructed to remain seated with eyes open maintaining a natural posture without engaging in any structured activity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Poznan University of Physical Education

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ida Laudańska-Krzemińska · Poznan University of Physical Education

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-01

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2026-08-31

Countries

• Poland

Study Locations