# Respiratory Rate

**Respiratory rate** (RR) or breathing rate, is the **number of breaths per minute** while at rest. Breathing rates may increase with fever, illness and other medical conditions.

This metric can be used in addition to the [Resonant Breathing Score](https://docs.intelliprove.com/insights-v1/resonant-breathing-score) to guide users into a resonant breathing state or during another stress-relieving breathing exercise.

![](https://docs.intelliprove.com/_astro/poXPuuQ8MmpdX9pZ3miER_image.B84mxEAf_Z1dkCps.webp)

## How is it calculated?

IntelliProve software accurately calculates the respiration rate by **detecting** the subtle movements of the chest. This is achieved through the use of an in-house software algorithm, which enables the processing engine to identify the correct **motion associated with breathing**. A respiration signal is created and its frequency is measured. This frequency corresponds with the number of breaths a person takes in one minute (breaths per minute or bpm).

## Accuracy

The current **mean absolute error of the respiratory rate measurement is 2.02±2.71 breaths per minute**. In 91% of the measurements the absolute measurement error is less than 5 breaths per minute. A good correlation (r=0.825; p<0.00001) between video-based RR measurement and ground truth RR values can be observed.

## How can it be used?

The **respiratory rate at rest** is expected to be around 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Equal to the resting heart rate, an **increased breathing frequency** can be used as an indicator for **stress** or **anxiety**.

Monitoring the respiratory rate can be a **valuable biomarker in therapeutic and wellbeing practices/exercises**. For instance, during meditation exercises, it is desirable to achieve a low breathing frequency between 6 to 12 breaths per minute (relaxation). By consistently practicing and training to maintain a lower resting breathing frequency, individuals can enhance their resilience to stress. Moreover, a lower resting respiratory rate not only aids in stress management but also promotes better sleep quality.

Below is an illustrative **example** on how respiratory rate can be used as a valuable metric for **feedback** during breathing exercises, as a **starting point** for your offered content or to track progress using **graphs**.

![](https://docs.intelliprove.com/_astro/IzVWmD_9abEU7o7EAA7jZ_example-rr-2.DrS8-TrD_d5gDu.webp)

## Interpreting results

Respiratory Rate is returned as an integer on a scale of 6 to 48 and can be requested as a [Widget](https://docs.intelliprove.com/product-docs/intelliwidgets) or via the [Rest API](https://docs.intelliprove.com/technical-docs/rest-api).

### Definitions

| **Name** | **Unit** | **Range** | **programmatic name** | **Health Profile** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Respiratory Rate | Breaths per minute \[brpm\] | 4-48 | `respiratory_rate` | Physical Health |

### Values

<table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Value</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Meaning</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Zone</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Example User Text</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>4 - 12</p></td><td><p>Slower breathing rate than average</p></td><td><p>Green</p></td><td><p>Your breathing rate at rest is low. In general, a respiratory rate for an adult is typically between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>13 - 20</p></td><td><p>Average breathing rate</p></td><td><p>Green</p></td><td><p>Your breathing rate at rest is average. In general, a respiratory rate for an adult is typically between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>21-30</p></td><td><p>Higher breathing rate than average</p></td><td><p>Yellow</p></td><td><p>Your breathing rateis somewhat increased. In general, a respiratory rate for an adult is typically between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>31-48</p></td><td><p>High breathing rate</p></td><td><p>Red</p></td><td><p>Your breathing rate at rest is high. In general, a respiratory rate for an adult is typically between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

**The table above shows**

-   **Value:** The possible values for the health insight
-   **Meaning:** What does the value mean
-   **Zone:** We distinguish three zones, useful – for example - when creating a widget to clarify the feel towars the user.
    -   Green = Optimal to normal
    -   Yellow = Normal to average
    -   Red = Outside the typical range; may require attention
-   **Example user text:** An example of what could be communicated to the user in case this value is measured.

## Scientific papers

-   Nilsson L, Johansson A, Kalman S. Respiration can be monitored by photoplethysmography with high sensitivity and specificity regardless of anaesthesia and ventilatory mode. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2005 Sep;49(8):1157-62.
-   Tarassenko L, Villarroel M, Guazzi A, Jorge J, Clifton DA, Pugh CW. 2014. Non-contact video-based vital sign monitoring using ambient light and auto-regressive models. Physiol Meas. 35(5):807–831.
-   Al-Naji A, Perera AG, Chahl J. 2017. Remote monitoring of cardiorespiratory signals from a seated position using a digital camera. PLoS One. 12(10):e0187332.
-   Nam Y, Kong Y, Reyes BA, Chon KH. 2014. Monitoring of heart and breathing rates using dual cameras on a smartphone. PLoS One. 9(3):e90084.