In this research paper titled “Physiological Responses and User Feedback on a Gameful Breathing Training App: Within-Subject Experiment” and published in JMIR, the authors Yanick Lukic, Dr. Chen-Hsuan (Iris) Shih, Dr. Alvaro Hernandez Reguera, Amanda Cotti, Prof. Dr. Elgar Fleisch, Prof. Dr. Tobias Kowatsch describe how the Breeze app was further adapted to include a gameful breathing training with a biofeedback component. The authors tested the efficacy of the application in a within-subject experiment, with encouraging findings. 

Abstract:
Low-paced breathing training (6 breaths per minute [BPM]) improves physiological and psychological well-being by inducing relaxation characterized by increased heart rate variability (HRV). However, classic breathing training has a limited target group, and retention rates are very low. Although a gameful approach may help overcome these challenges, it is crucial to enable breathing training in a scalable context (eg, smartphone only) and ensure that they remain effective. However, despite the health benefits, no validated mobile gameful breathing training featuring a biofeedback component based on breathing seems to exist.

For further details, please refer to the full research paper.

Reference: 

Lukic, Y., Shih, I., Hernández, Á., Cotti, A., Fleisch, E., Kowatsch, T., Physiological Responses and User Feedback on a Gameful Breathing Training App: Within-Subject Experiment, JMIR Serious Games 2021;9(1):e22802 10.2196/22802. [PDF]

Video Abstract by:
Yanick Lukic