The Relationship Between Creative Thinking and Heart Rate Variability: An Experimental Study

The Neurovisceral Integration Model postulates that brain regions involved in self regulation are also implicated in cardiac autonomic activity thanks to the vagus nerve. According to previous literature in the field, an association between parasympathetic activity at rest and cognitive functioning has emerged, showing better cognitive performances on subjects with higher parasympathetic activity. Its association with creative thinking, in particular with those processes involved in divergent thinking abilities, is still under-investigated. Moreover, since cognitive control mechanisms and creative thinking seem to be modulated by specific psychological traits, the aim of this experimental study is to explore the relationship between creative thinking and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) at rest, considering specific psychological traits.