Fournié C, Chouchou F, Dalleau G, Caderby T, Cabrera Q, Verkindt C. Heart rate variability biofeedback in chronic disease management: A systematic review.
Complement Ther Med 2021;
60:102750. [PMID:
34118390 DOI:
10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102750]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is a non-pharmacological intervention used in the management of chronic diseases.
METHOD
A systematic search was performed according to eligibility criteria including adult chronic patients, HRVB as main treatment with or without control conditions, and psychophysiological outcomes as dependent variables.
RESULTS
In total, 29 articles were included. Reported results showed the feasibility of HRVB in chronic patients without adverse effects. Significant positive effects were found in various patient profiles on hypertension and cardiovascular prognosis, inflammatory state, asthma disorders, depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances, cognitive performance and pain, which could be associated with improved quality of life. Improvements in clinical outcomes co-occurred with improvements in heart rate variability, suggesting possible regulatory effect of HRVB on autonomic function.
CONCLUSIONS
HRVB could be effective in managing patients with chronic diseases. Further investigations are required to confirm these results and recommend the most effective method.
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