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El-Malahi O, Mohajeri D, Bäuerle A, Mincu R, Rothenaicher K, Ullrich G, Rammos C, Teufel M, Rassaf T, Lortz J. The Effect of Stress-Reducing Interventions on Heart Rate Variability in Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:749. [PMID: 38929732 PMCID: PMC11204824 DOI: 10.3390/life14060749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress is recognized as a significant trigger and exacerbator of various medical conditions, particularly in the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Given that heart rate variability (HRV) offers insight into the functioning of the autonomic nervous system and has been identified as a predictive factor for increased cardiovascular mortality, exploring the correlation between stress and HRV is pertinent. We systematically reviewed trials where researchers investigated the effects of stress-reducing interventions on biomarkers and time-domain/frequency-domain parameters of HRV in CVD. Eligible studies underwent meta-analysis utilizing a random-effects model. The meta-analysis showed overall beneficial effects of stress-reducing interventions on HRV for the standard deviation of Normal-to-Normal intervals (SDNN) in short-term and 24 h assessments, as well as for the low-frequency power (LF) in short-term assessment. Overall effect sizes were notably high and showed significant p-values (short-term SDNN: MD = 6.43, p = 0.01; 24 h SDNN: MD = 10.92, p = 0.004; short-term LF: MD = 160.11, p < 0.001). Our findings highlight the significant impact of stress-reducing interventions in modulating HRV by influencing short-term SDNN and LF parameters, as well as the 24 h assessment of SDNN. These results emphasize the importance of stress-reducing measures in lowering the risk of further progression in CVD and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouahiba El-Malahi
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Darya Mohajeri
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Bäuerle
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Raluca Mincu
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Korbinian Rothenaicher
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Greta Ullrich
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Christos Rammos
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Teufel
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Julia Lortz
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
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Gathright EC, Hughes JW, Sun S, Storlazzi LE, DeCosta J, Balletto BL, Carey MP, Scott-Sheldon LAJ, Salmoirago-Blotcher E. Effects of stress management interventions on heart rate variability in adults with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Behav Med 2024; 47:374-388. [PMID: 38478157 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-024-00468-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Meta-analysis was used to investigate the potential benefits of stress management interventions (SMIs) on vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV) in adults with cardiovascular disease. Electronic bibliographic databases were searched through August 2022. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies assessing effects of SMIs on HRV were included. Methodological quality was assessed with a standardized checklist. A pooled effect size was calculated for vagally-mediated HRV indices (standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals, root mean square of the successive differences, and high frequency power) using random effects models. Fourteen studies (1202 participants, Mage: 59 ± 6.25 years; 25% ± 16% women; 61% ± 22% White) were included. Ten studies (11 effects) reported short-term HRV assessment; a small between-group difference emerged for vagally-mediated HRV (d+ = .27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-0.52, k = 11). Most interventions examined biofeedback; these studies yielded a small between-group difference on vagally-mediated HRV (d+ = 0.31, 95% CI 0.09-0.53, k = 7, Q [6] = 3.82, p = .70, I2 = 11%). This is the first systematic examination of the effect of SMIs on HRV in adults with CVD. Findings suggest a small effect of SMIs on vagally-mediated HRV, with biofeedback likely driving the effect. More research is required to fully understand whether this benefit on vagally-mediated HRV applies to other SMIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Gathright
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, CORO West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI, 02906, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Joel W Hughes
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Shufang Sun
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Laurie E Storlazzi
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, CORO West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
| | - Julie DeCosta
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, CORO West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
| | - Brittany L Balletto
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, CORO West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
| | - Michael P Carey
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, CORO West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lori A J Scott-Sheldon
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, CORO West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Medicine, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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Schnekenberg L, Sedghi A, Schoene D, Pallesen LP, Barlinn J, Woitek F, Linke A, Puetz V, Barlinn K, Mangner N, Siepmann T. Assessment and Therapeutic Modulation of Heart Rate Variability: Potential Implications in Patients with COVID-19. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:297. [PMID: 37504553 PMCID: PMC10380874 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10070297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac damage has been attributed to SARS-CoV-2-related pathology contributing to increased risk of vascular events. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a parameter of functional neurocardiac integrity with low HRV constituting an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Whether structural cardiac damage translates into neurocardiac dysfunction in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 remains poorly understood. Hypothesized mechanisms of possible neurocardiac dysfunction in COVID-19 comprise direct systemic neuroinvasion of autonomic control centers, ascending virus propagation along cranial nerves and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. While the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and the cytokine cascade in general has been studied extensively, the interplay between the inflammatory response caused by SARS-CoV-2 and autonomic cardiovascular regulation remains largely unclear. We reviewed the current literature on the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of autonomic neurocardiac function assessment via analysis of HRV including time domain and spectral analysis techniques in patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, we discuss potential therapeutic targets of modulating neurocardiac function in this high-risk population including HRV biofeedback and the impact of long COVID on HRV as well as the approaches of clinical management. These topics might be of particular interest with respect to multimodal pandemic preparedness concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Schnekenberg
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Annahita Sedghi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniela Schoene
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Lars-Peder Pallesen
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jessica Barlinn
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Felix Woitek
- Dresden Heart Center, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Axel Linke
- Dresden Heart Center, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Volker Puetz
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kristian Barlinn
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Norman Mangner
- Dresden Heart Center, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Timo Siepmann
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Castro Ribeiro T, Sobregrau Sangrà P, García Pagès E, Badiella L, López-Barbeito B, Aguiló S, Aguiló J. Assessing effectiveness of heart rate variability biofeedback to mitigate mental health symptoms: a pilot study. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1147260. [PMID: 37234414 PMCID: PMC10206049 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1147260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The increasing burden on mental health has become a worldwide concern especially due to its substantial negative social and economic impact. The implementation of prevention actions and psychological interventions is crucial to mitigate these consequences, and evidence supporting its effectiveness would facilitate a more assertive response. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF) has been proposed as a potential intervention to improve mental wellbeing through mechanisms in autonomic functioning. The aim of this study is to propose and evaluate the validity of an objective procedure to assess the effectiveness of a HRV-BF protocol in mitigating mental health symptoms in a sample of frontline HCWs (healthcare workers) who worked in the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A prospective experimental study applying a HRV-BF protocol was conducted with 21 frontline healthcare workers in 5 weekly sessions. For PRE-POST intervention comparisons, two different approaches were used to evaluate mental health status: applying (a) gold-standard psychometric questionnaires and (b) electrophysiological multiparametric models for chronic and acute stress assessment. Results: After HRV-BF intervention, psychometric questionnaires showed a reduction in mental health symptoms and stress perception. The electrophysiological multiparametric also showed a reduction in chronic stress levels, while the acute stress levels were similar in PRE and POST conditions. A significant reduction in respiratory rate and an increase in some heart rate variability parameters, such as SDNN, LFn, and LF/HF ratio, were also observed after intervention. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a 5-session HRV-BF protocol is an effective intervention for reducing stress and other mental health symptoms among frontline HCWs who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The electrophysiological multiparametric models provide relevant information about the current mental health state, being useful for objectively evaluating the effectiveness of stress-reducing interventions. Further research could replicate the proposed procedure to confirm its feasibility for different samples and specific interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Castro Ribeiro
- Biomedical Research Network Center in Biogineering, Biomaterial and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Microelectronics and Electronic Systems, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pau Sobregrau Sangrà
- Clínic Foundation for Biomedical Research, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther García Pagès
- Department of Microelectronics and Electronic Systems, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Llorenç Badiella
- Applied Statistics Service, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Sira Aguiló
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Aguiló
- Biomedical Research Network Center in Biogineering, Biomaterial and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Microelectronics and Electronic Systems, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Neuromodulation Applied to Diseases: The Case of HRV Biofeedback. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195927. [PMID: 36233794 PMCID: PMC9571900 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The vagus or “wandering” nerve is the main branch of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), innervating most internal organs crucial for health. Activity of the vagus nerve can be non-invasively indexed by heart-rate variability parameters (HRV). Specific HRV parameters predict less all-cause mortality, lower risk of and better prognosis after myocardial infarctions, and better survival in cancer. A non-invasive manner for self-activating the vagus is achieved by performing a slow-paced breathing technique while receiving visual feedback of one’s HRV, called HRV-biofeedback (HRV-B). This article narratively reviews the biological mechanisms underlying the role of vagal activity and vagally mediated HRV in hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), cancer, pain, and dementia. After searching the literature for HRV-B intervention studies in each condition, we report the effects of HRV-B on clinical outcomes in these health conditions, while evaluating the methodological quality of these studies. Generally, the levels of evidence for the benefits of HRV-B is high in CHD, pain, and hypertension, moderate in cancer, and poor in diabetes and dementia. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.
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Laborde S, Allen MS, Borges U, Iskra M, Zammit N, You M, Hosang T, Mosley E, Dosseville F. Psychophysiological effects of slow-paced breathing at six cycles per minute with or without heart rate variability biofeedback. Psychophysiology 2021; 59:e13952. [PMID: 34633670 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback, referring to slow-paced breathing (SPB) realized while visualizing a heart rate, HRV, and/or respiratory signal, has become an adjunct treatment for a large range of psychologic and medical conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms explaining the effectiveness of HRV biofeedback still need to be uncovered. This study aimed to disentangle the specific effects of HRV biofeedback from the effects of SPB realized alone. In total, 112 participants took part in the study. The parameters assessed were emotional (valence, arousal, and control) and perceived stress intensity as self-report variables and the root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD) as a physiologic variable. A main effect of condition was found for emotional valence only, valence being more positive overall in the SPB-HRVB condition. A main effect of time was observed for all dependent variables. However, no main effects for the condition or time x condition interaction effects were observed. Results showed that for PRE and POST comparisons (referring, respectively, to before and after SPB), both SPB-HRVB and SPB-NoHRVB conditions resulted in a more negative emotional valence, lower emotional arousal, higher emotional control, and higher RMSSD. Future research might investigate psychophysiological differences between SPB-HRVB and SPB-NoHRVB across different time periods (e.g., long-term interventions), and in response to diverse psychophysiological stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Laborde
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Normandie Université, UFR STAPS, EA 4260 CESAMS, Caen, France
| | - Mark S Allen
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Uirassu Borges
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Health & Social Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maša Iskra
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nina Zammit
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Min You
- Normandie Université, UFR Psychologie, EA3918 CERREV, Caen, France
| | - Thomas Hosang
- Experimental Psychology Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emma Mosley
- Department of Sport Science and Performance, School of Sport, Health and Social Science, Solent University Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Fabrice Dosseville
- Normandie Université, UMR-S 1075 COMETE, Caen, France.,INSERM, UMR-S 1075 COMETE, Caen, France
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