Respiration rate change induced by controlling the phasic relationship between melodic sound and respiration

It has been suggested that the phasic relationship between sound and respiration (PRSR) is important. However, the effect that the relationship has on respiration rate is rarely studied. Here, by using our invented interface, we have developed a method of systematically controlling the PRSR and show that the respiration rate can be changed by controlling the PRSR. In concrete, when realized error of PRSR is large, respiration rate significantly increased. Since the effect appears with participants listening passively to melodic sounds without any instruction, the result could be utilized as a tool for managing everyday stress.