Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society 
Volume 4 (2000), Issue 3, Pages 201-206
doi:10.1155/S1026022600000194

Synchronization of cardiorhythm by weak external forcing

V. S. Anishchenko,1 A. G. Balanov,1 N. B. Janson,1 N. B. Igosheva,2 and G. V. Bordyugov1

 1Department of Physics, Saratov State University, Astrakhanskaya Street 83, Saratov 410026, Russia
2Department of Biology, Saratov State University, Astrakhanskaya Street 83, Saratov 410026, Russia
Received 15 April 1999

Abstract

We study the possibility to synchronize cardiorhythm of a human by periodic and aperiodic sequences of light and sound pulses. Aperiodic forcing is defined by variation of RR intervals of another subject. Phase locking between cardiorhythm and weak external forcing is detected on finite time intervals. We observe the 1:1 synchronization for periodic forcing and n:m synchronization for aperiodic one.