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Rahman S, Pal S, Yearwood J, Karmakar C. Robustness of Deep Learning models in electrocardiogram noise detection and classification. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2024; 253:108249. [PMID: 38815528 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2024.108249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Automatic electrocardiogram (ECG) signal analysis for heart disease detection has gained significant attention due to busy lifestyles. However, ECG signals are susceptible to noise, which adversely affects the performance of ECG signal analysers. Traditional blind filtering methods use predefined noise frequency and filter order, but they alter ECG biomarkers. Several Deep Learning-based ECG noise detection and classification methods exist, but no study compares recurrent neural network (RNN) and convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures and their complexity. METHODS This paper introduces a knowledge-based ECG filtering system using Deep Learning to classify ECG noise types and compare popular computer vision model architectures in a practical Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) framework. Experimental results demonstrate that the CNN-based ECG noise classifier outperforms the RNN-based model in terms of performance and training time. RESULTS The study shows that AlexNet, visual geometry group (VGG), and residual network (ResNet) achieved over 70% accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and F1 score across six datasets. VGG and ResNet performances were comparable, but VGG was more complex than ResNet, with only a 4.57% less F1 score. CONCLUSIONS This paper introduces a Deep Learning (DL) based ECG noise classifier for a knowledge-driven ECG filtering system, offering selective filtering to reduce signal distortion. Evaluation of various CNN and RNN-based models reveals VGG and Resnet outperform. Further, the VGG model is superior in terms of performance. But Resnet performs comparably to VGG with less model complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saifur Rahman
- School of Information Technology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Shantanu Pal
- School of Information Technology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - John Yearwood
- School of Information Technology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Chandan Karmakar
- School of Information Technology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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2
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Everett K, Friend MM, Farnlacher E, Hilliard A, Nicodemus MC, Cavinder CA, Holtcamp K, Jousan D. Short-term equine interaction for reducing test anxiety and facilitating coping skill development in college students during examination periods: A preliminary study. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 137:105091. [PMID: 38718969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Mental health concerns are common among college students and more prevalent during examination periods when stress and anxiety are heightened. While the benefits of equine interaction have been reported, the impact of short-term equine interaction on coping skills valuable for managing test anxiety have yet to be studied. Therefore, the purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the impact of short-term equine interaction during the college examination period on development of coping skills and anxiety levels associated with testing, both self-reported and those reflected in physiological measures. Full-time college students engaged in a one-hour equine interaction session held on campus at the onset of final exam week. Participants completed a survey targeting perception of anxiety levels and coping skills. Heart rate and salivary cortisol measurements were collected pre- and post-session. Paired t-tests were performed between pre- and post- session measures and correlations between survey answers and physiological measures determined. Significant reductions were found in all areas of anxiety (Overall Academics P = 0.0003, Final Exam Preparation P = 0.0003, Taking Final Exam P = 0.0003). The reduction in exam-related anxiety was positively correlated to cortisol concentrations (r = 0.69, P = 0.03) with lower concentrations (P = 0.05) and increased heart rate (P = 0.003) post-session. Regarding coping skills, improvements were observed post-session in assertiveness (P = 0.008). Skill development coupled with reduced anxiety supports the potential benefits short-term equine interaction can offer students during the high stress periods, but these findings should be confirmed with more in-depth study.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Everett
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA
| | - M M Friend
- Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, 101 Huck Life Sciences Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - E Farnlacher
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA
| | - A Hilliard
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA
| | - M C Nicodemus
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA.
| | - C A Cavinder
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA
| | - K Holtcamp
- Office of Psychological Services, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, PO Box 6100, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA
| | - D Jousan
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA
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3
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Eriksson A, Kimmel MC, Furmark T, Wikman A, Grueschow M, Skalkidou A, Frick A, Fransson E. Investigating heart rate variability measures during pregnancy as predictors of postpartum depression and anxiety: an exploratory study. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:203. [PMID: 38744808 PMCID: PMC11094065 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02909-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Perinatal affective disorders are common, but standard screening measures reliant on subjective self-reports might not be sufficient to identify pregnant women at-risk for developing postpartum depression and anxiety. Lower heart rate variability (HRV) has been shown to be associated with affective disorders. The current exploratory study aimed to evaluate the predictive utility of late pregnancy HRV measurements of postpartum affective symptoms. A subset of participants from the BASIC study (Uppsala, Sweden) took part in a sub-study at pregnancy week 38 where HRV was measured before and after a mild stressor (n = 122). Outcome measures were 6-week postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms as quantified by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). In total, 112 women were included in a depression outcome analysis and 106 women were included in an anxiety outcome analysis. Group comparisons indicated that lower pregnancy HRV was associated with depressive or anxious symptomatology at 6 weeks postpartum. Elastic net logistic regression analyses indicated that HRV indices alone were not predictive of postpartum depression or anxiety outcomes, but HRV indices were selected as predictors in a combined model with background and pregnancy variables. ROC curves for the combined models gave an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 for the depression outcome and an AUC of 0.83 for the anxiety outcome. HRV indices predictive of postpartum depression generally differed from those predictive of postpartum anxiety. HRV indices did not significantly improve prediction models comprised of psychological measures only in women with pregnancy depression or anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Eriksson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan - WOMHER, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Mary Claire Kimmel
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tomas Furmark
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Wikman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marcus Grueschow
- Zurich Center for Neuroeconomics (ZNE), Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alkistis Skalkidou
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andreas Frick
- Department of Medical Sciences, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma Fransson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Galin S, Keren H. The Predictive Potential of Heart Rate Variability for Depression. Neuroscience 2024; 546:88-103. [PMID: 38513761 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV),a measure of the fluctuations in the intervals between consecutive heartbeats, is an indicator of changes in the autonomic nervous system. A chronic reduction in HRV has been repeatedly linked to clinical depression. However, the chronological and mechanistic aspects of this relationship, between the neural, physiological, and psychopathological levels, remain unclear. In this review we present evidence by which changes in HRV might precede the onset of depression. We describe several pathways that can facilitate this relationship. First, we examine a theoretical model of the impact of autonomic imbalance on HRV and its role in contributing to mood dysregulation and depression. We then highlight brain regions that are regulating both HRV and emotion, suggesting these neural regions, and the Insula in particular, as potential mediators of this relationship. We also present additional possible mediating mechanisms involving the immune system and inflammation processes. Lastly, we support this model by showing evidence that modification of HRV with biofeedback leads to an improvement in some symptoms of depression. The possibility that changes in HRV precede the onset of depression is critical to put to the test, not only because it could provide insights into the mechanisms of the illness but also because it may offer a predictive anddiagnosticphysiological marker for depression. Importantly, it could also help to develop new effective clinical interventions for treating depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Galin
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Gonda Interdisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Hanna Keren
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Gonda Interdisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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Vaccarino V, Bremner JD. Stress and cardiovascular disease: an update. Nat Rev Cardiol 2024:10.1038/s41569-024-01024-y. [PMID: 38698183 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-024-01024-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Psychological stress is generally accepted to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but results have varied in terms of how stress is measured and the strength of the association. Additionally, the mechanisms and potential causal links have remained speculative despite decades of research. The physiological responses to stress are well characterized, but their contribution to the development and progression of CVD has received little attention in empirical studies. Evidence suggests that physiological responses to stress have a fundamental role in the risk of CVD and that haemodynamic, vascular and immune perturbations triggered by stress are especially implicated. Stress response physiology is regulated by the corticolimbic regions of the brain, which have outputs to the autonomic nervous system. Variation in these regulatory pathways might explain interindividual differences in vulnerability to stress. Dynamic perturbations in autonomic, immune and vascular functions are probably also implicated as CVD risk mechanisms of chronic, recurring and cumulative stressful exposures, but more data are needed from prospective studies and from assessments in real-life situations. Psychological assessment remains insufficiently recognized in clinical care and prevention. Although stress-reduction interventions might mitigate perceived stress levels and potentially reduce cardiovascular risk, more data from randomized trials are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Vaccarino
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - J Douglas Bremner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
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Girishan Prabhu V, Stanley L, Morgan R, Shirley B. Designing and developing a nature-based virtual reality with heart rate variability biofeedback for surgical anxiety and pain management: evidence from total knee arthroplasty patients. Aging Ment Health 2024; 28:738-753. [PMID: 37850735 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2270442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common joint surgeries, with over a million procedures performed annually in the US. Over 70% of patients report moderate to high pain and anxiety surrounding TKA surgery, and 96% are discharged with an opioid prescription. This population requires special attention as approximately 90% of TKA patients are older adults and one of the riskiest groups prone to misusing opioids. This study aimed to develop and compare the efficacy of nature-based virtual reality (VR) with heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBF) to mitigate surgical pain and anxiety. METHODS This randomized control trial recruited 30 patients (mean age = 66.3 ± 8.2 years, 23 F, 7 M) undergoing TKA surgery and randomly assigned to a control, 2D video with HRVBF, or VR with HRVBF group. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure pain levels before and after the intervention. In addition, a second VAS and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to measure anxiety before and after the intervention. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was used to continuously measure HRV and respiration rate in preoperative and postoperative settings. RESULTS VR and 2D-video with HRVBF decreased pain and anxiety post-intervention compared with the control group, p's <.01. On analyzing physiological signals, both treatment groups showed greater parasympathetic activity levels, and VR with HRVBF reduced pain more than the 2D video, p < .01. CONCLUSIONS Nature-based VR and 2D video with HRVBF can mitigate surgical pain and anxiety. However, VR may be more efficacious than 2D video in reducing pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Stanley
- Gianforte School of Computing, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Robert Morgan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - Brayton Shirley
- Department of Orthopaedics, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC, USA
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Hirten RP, Danieletto M, Landell K, Zweig M, Golden E, Pyzik R, Kaur S, Chang H, Helmus D, Sands BE, Charney D, Nadkarni G, Bagiella E, Keefer L, Fayad ZA. Remote Short Sessions of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Monitored With Wearable Technology: Open-Label Prospective Feasibility Study. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e55552. [PMID: 38663011 PMCID: PMC11082734 DOI: 10.2196/55552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback is often performed with structured education, laboratory-based assessments, and practice sessions. It has been shown to improve psychological and physiological function across populations. However, a means to remotely use and monitor this approach would allow for wider use of this technique. Advancements in wearable and digital technology present an opportunity for the widespread application of this approach. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of fully remote, self-administered short sessions of HRV-directed biofeedback in a diverse population of health care workers (HCWs). The secondary aim was to determine whether a fully remote, HRV-directed biofeedback intervention significantly alters longitudinal HRV over the intervention period, as monitored by wearable devices. The tertiary aim was to estimate the impact of this intervention on metrics of psychological well-being. METHODS To determine whether remotely implemented short sessions of HRV biofeedback can improve autonomic metrics and psychological well-being, we enrolled HCWs across 7 hospitals in New York City in the United States. They downloaded our study app, watched brief educational videos about HRV biofeedback, and used a well-studied HRV biofeedback program remotely through their smartphone. HRV biofeedback sessions were used for 5 minutes per day for 5 weeks. HCWs were then followed for 12 weeks after the intervention period. Psychological measures were obtained over the study period, and they wore an Apple Watch for at least 7 weeks to monitor the circadian features of HRV. RESULTS In total, 127 HCWs were enrolled in the study. Overall, only 21 (16.5%) were at least 50% compliant with the HRV biofeedback intervention, representing a small portion of the total sample. This demonstrates that this study design does not feasibly result in adequate rates of compliance with the intervention. Numerical improvement in psychological metrics was observed over the 17-week study period, although it did not reach statistical significance (all P>.05). Using a mixed effect cosinor model, the mean midline-estimating statistic of rhythm (MESOR) of the circadian pattern of the SD of the interbeat interval of normal sinus beats (SDNN), an HRV metric, was observed to increase over the first 4 weeks of the biofeedback intervention in HCWs who were at least 50% compliant. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we found that using brief remote HRV biofeedback sessions and monitoring its physiological effect using wearable devices, in the manner that the study was conducted, was not feasible. This is considering the low compliance rates with the study intervention. We found that remote short sessions of HRV biofeedback demonstrate potential promise in improving autonomic nervous function and warrant further study. Wearable devices can monitor the physiological effects of psychological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Hirten
- The Dr Henry D Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Matteo Danieletto
- Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- The Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at the Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kyle Landell
- Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- The Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at the Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Micol Zweig
- Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- The Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at the Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eddye Golden
- The Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at the Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Renata Pyzik
- The BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sparshdeep Kaur
- Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- The Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at the Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Helena Chang
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Drew Helmus
- The Dr Henry D Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bruce E Sands
- The Dr Henry D Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dennis Charney
- Office of the Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Girish Nadkarni
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Emilia Bagiella
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laurie Keefer
- The Dr Henry D Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zahi A Fayad
- The BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Thoen A, Alaerts K, Prinsen J, Steyaert J, Van Damme T. The Physiological and Clinical-Behavioral Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in Adolescents with Autism: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2024:10.1007/s10484-024-09638-1. [PMID: 38491260 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-024-09638-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Adolescents with autism present lower levels of cardiac vagal modulation. It was hypothesized that Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB) increases cardiac vagal modulation in adolescents with autism, resulting in positive effects on physiological and psychosocial parameters. It was also hypothesized that home-based HRVB training is feasible. In a single-blind, randomized sham-controlled pilot trial, adolescents with autism performed supervised HRVB (n = 24) or sham training (n = 20). Subsequently, half of the adolescents received HRVB training at home, whereas the other subset did not practice. Physiological, cortisol and behavioral data were collected during stress-provoking assessments before and after each training period. Supervised HRVB resulted in a late increase in cardiac vagal modulation in adolescents with autism. Heart rate increased and cortisol decreased significantly immediately after supervised HRVB, but none of these effects remained after follow-up. Following supervised HRVB, no significant change in psychosocial functioning was found. Home-based HRVB was feasible, adolescents reported lower symptoms of stress, but a significant decrease in compliance rate was found. HRVB is feasible and effective in adolescents with autism given the late-emerging increases in cardiac vagal modulation and decrease in stress symptoms. Replicating this study with a larger sample and further exploration of the working mechanisms of HRVB are recommended. ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04628715.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoushka Thoen
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Adapted Physical Activity and Psychomotor Rehabilitation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 - box 1510, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101 - box 1501, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101 - box 1501, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group of Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7h - box 7001, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Tine Van Damme
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Adapted Physical Activity and Psychomotor Rehabilitation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 - box 1510, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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9
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Cortez-Vázquez G, Adriaanse M, Burchell GL, Ostelo R, Panayiotou G, Vlemincx E. Virtual Reality Breathing Interventions for Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2024; 49:1-21. [PMID: 38236355 PMCID: PMC10869395 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-023-09611-4] [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] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Breathing exercises have been shown to reduce mental health problems among clinical and non-clinical populations. Although virtual reality (VR) breathing interventions are assumed to have potential benefits, it remains unclear whether VR breathing interventions are more effective at improving mental health than non-VR breathing interventions. We conducted a systematic literature search in six electronic databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and PubMed) from inception to 30th September, 2022. We included randomized controlled trials in adults evaluating effects of VR compared to non-VR breathing interventions on primary outcomes of mental health (stress, anxiety and mood), and secondary outcomes of physiological stress measures (e.g., heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV)). Within these selected studies, we explored differences in likeability and future use between VR and non-VR breathing interventions. 2.848 records were identified of which 65 full-text articles were assessed. Six RCTs were included, of which five were suitable for meta-analyses. Comparing VR to non-VR breathing interventions, there were no significant differences in overall mental health, stress, anxiety or mood, nor in HR or HRV. There was no evidence that participants liked VR breathing interventions more than non-VR, nor would use them more in the future. These results suggest that there is no evidence that VR breathing interventions are more effective than non-VR in improving mental health outcomes, HR, HRV. Further research is required to determine whether there may be advantages to longer-term VR-implementation and practice, and explore possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Cortez-Vázquez
- Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Adriaanse
- Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Raymond Ostelo
- Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC location, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Georgia Panayiotou
- Department of Psychology and Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Elke Vlemincx
- Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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10
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Locke S, Osborne J. Determining the Right Levels of Health Coaching and Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in a Workplace Behavior Change Intervention: Multiphase Optimization Strategy Preparation Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e47181. [PMID: 38354036 PMCID: PMC10902773 DOI: 10.2196/47181] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work-related stress is associated with poor job performance and negative health outcomes. Changing health behaviors through corporate wellness programs can improve physical and mental health and help employees manage stress. This project sought to pilot the potential addition of brief coaching and biofeedback to an 8-week web-based self-help program to improve employee stress using the multiphase optimization strategy. OBJECTIVE This study aims to determine which candidate components will be tested in a later optimization phase and at what dose they will be tested, examine the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the different components, investigate whether the outcomes can be feasibly measured, and review evidence to build a conceptual model before the optimization phase. METHODS The study was positioned within the preparation phase of the multiphase optimization strategy. It is a 2×2×2×2 design with 4 components: 2 types of health coaching and 2 types of biofeedback. All components were tested by turning them on or off. A total of 16 adult office workers (mean age 40, SD 14.3 years; n=15 women) completed an 8-week self-paced web-based stress management and health behavior change program and were randomly assigned to 1 of the 16 conditions, created from a combination of the 4 candidate components. Assessments included web analytics, surveys, and interviews regarding program recommendations, likes, and dislikes. RESULTS Findings from the interviews provided suggestions to improve the intervention (eg, separating wellness from stress content) and trial conduct (eg, streamlining the onboarding process). On average, participants logged into the wellness program 83 times (range 36-291), with 75% (12/16) participant retention and 67% (8/12) survey completion. There were no reported problems with coaching or obtaining data from interviews or apps. The interview findings suggested potential mediators to include and assess in a future conceptual model. CONCLUSIONS The results provided areas to improve the intervention content and trial methods. Instead of progressing to the next scheduled large-scale optimization phase, our plan to iterate through a second preparation phase after making changes to the protocol, apps, and corporate coaching partner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Locke
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Jenna Osborne
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St Catharines, ON, Canada
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11
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Li K, Cardoso C, Moctezuma-Ramirez A, Elgalad A, Perin E. Heart Rate Variability Measurement through a Smart Wearable Device: Another Breakthrough for Personal Health Monitoring? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7146. [PMID: 38131698 PMCID: PMC10742885 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measurement of the fluctuation of time between each heartbeat and reflects the function of the autonomic nervous system. HRV is an important indicator for both physical and mental status and for broad-scope diseases. In this review, we discuss how wearable devices can be used to monitor HRV, and we compare the HRV monitoring function among different devices. In addition, we have reviewed the recent progress in HRV tracking with wearable devices and its value in health monitoring and disease diagnosis. Although many challenges remain, we believe HRV tracking with wearable devices is a promising tool that can be used to improve personal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Li
- Center for Preclinical Cardiovascular Research, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cristiano Cardoso
- Center for Preclinical Cardiovascular Research, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Angel Moctezuma-Ramirez
- Center for Preclinical Cardiovascular Research, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Abdelmotagaly Elgalad
- Center for Preclinical Cardiovascular Research, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Emerson Perin
- Center for Clinical Research, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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12
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Blaser BL, Weymar M, Wendt J. The effect of a single-session heart rate variability biofeedback on attentional control: does stress matter? Front Psychol 2023; 14:1292983. [PMID: 38034309 PMCID: PMC10687403 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1292983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Vagally mediated heart rate variability is an index of autonomic nervous system activity that is associated with a large variety of outcome variables including psychopathology and self-regulation. While practicing heart rate variability biofeedback over several weeks has been reliably associated with a number of positive outcomes, its acute effects are not well known. As the strongest association with vagally mediated heart rate variability has been found particularly within the attention-related subdomain of self-regulation, we investigated the acute effect of heart rate variability biofeedback on attentional control using the revised Attention Network Test. Methods Fifty-six participants were tested in two sessions. In one session each participant received a heart rate variability biofeedback intervention, and in the other session a control intervention of paced breathing at a normal ventilation rate. After the biofeedback or control intervention, participants completed the Attention Network Test using the Orienting Score as a measure of attentional control. Results Mixed models revealed that higher resting baseline vagally mediated heart rate variability was associated with better performance in attentional control, which suggests more efficient direction of attention to target stimuli. There was no significant main effect of the intervention on attentional control. However, an interaction effect indicated better performance in attentional control after biofeedback in individuals who reported higher current stress levels. Discussion The results point to acute beneficial effects of heart rate variability biofeedback on cognitive performance in highly stressed individuals. Although promising, the results need to be replicated in larger or more targeted samples in order to reach stronger conclusions about the effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenike L. Blaser
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julia Wendt
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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13
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Bachman SL, Cole S, Yoo HJ, Nashiro K, Min J, Mercer N, Nasseri P, Thayer JF, Lehrer P, Mather M. Daily heart rate variability biofeedback training decreases locus coeruleus MRI contrast in younger adults in a randomized clinical trial. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 193:112241. [PMID: 37647944 PMCID: PMC10591988 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.08.014] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
As an arousal hub region in the brain, the locus coeruleus (LC) has bidirectional connections with the autonomic nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based measures of LC structural integrity have been linked to cognition and arousal, but less is known about factors that influence LC structure and function across time. Here, we tested the effects of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback, an intervention targeting the autonomic nervous system, on LC MRI contrast and sympathetic activity. Younger and older participants completed daily HRV biofeedback training for five weeks. Those assigned to an experimental condition performed biofeedback involving slow, paced breathing designed to increase heart rate oscillations, whereas those assigned to a control condition performed biofeedback to decrease heart rate oscillations. At the pre- and post-training timepoints, LC contrast was assessed using turbo spin echo MRI scans, and RNA sequencing was used to assess cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)-regulated gene expression in circulating blood cells, an index of sympathetic nervous system signaling. We found that left LC contrast decreased in younger participants in the experimental group, and across younger participants, decreases in left LC contrast were related to the extent to which participants increased their heart rate oscillations during training. Furthermore, decreases in left LC contrast were associated with decreased expression of CREB-associated gene transcripts. On the contrary, there were no effects of biofeedback on LC contrast among older participants in the experimental group. These findings provide novel evidence that in younger adults, HRV biofeedback involving slow, paced breathing can decrease both LC contrast and sympathetic nervous system signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby L Bachman
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Steve Cole
- University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States of America
| | - Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Noah Mercer
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Padideh Nasseri
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America
| | - Julian F Thayer
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
| | - Paul Lehrer
- Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08852, United States of America
| | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States of America.
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Shi Y, Wu W. Multimodal non-invasive non-pharmacological therapies for chronic pain: mechanisms and progress. BMC Med 2023; 21:372. [PMID: 37775758 PMCID: PMC10542257 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03076-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain conditions impose significant burdens worldwide. Pharmacological treatments like opioids have limitations. Non-invasive non-pharmacological therapies (NINPT) encompass diverse interventions including physical, psychological, complementary and alternative approaches, and other innovative techniques that provide analgesic options for chronic pain without medications. MAIN BODY This review elucidates the mechanisms of major NINPT modalities and synthesizes evidence for their clinical potential across chronic pain populations. NINPT leverages peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal mechanisms to restore normal pain processing and limit central sensitization. However, heterogeneity in treatment protocols and individual responses warrants optimization through precision medicine approaches. CONCLUSION Future adoption of NINPT requires addressing limitations in standardization and accessibility as well as synergistic combination with emerging therapies. Overall, this review highlights the promise of NINPT as a valuable complementary option ready for integration into contemporary pain medicine paradigms to improve patient care and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Wen Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
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15
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LoTemplio S, Bettmann JE, Scott E, Blumenthal E. Do Mental Health Changes in Nature Co-occur with Changes in Heartrate Variability and Executive Functioning? A Systematic Review. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:278-290. [PMID: 37516682 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00407-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Given the global burden of mental health issues, new solutions are needed to promote mental health. Nature exposure represents a promising option to promote mental health, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Recent frameworks have argued that changes in mental health in nature are caused by activity changes in the vagus nerve, which connects the heart and the brain, and that these changes also improve executive functioning (EF) abilities. This suggests that changes in mental health symptomology in nature should be accompanied by changes in vagus nerve activity, as well as changes in executive functioning. Yet, little work has systematically examined co-variation of these outcomes in empirical studies. The present manuscript systematically examines whether changes in mental health in nature are accompanied by changes in vagus nerve activity (approximated by heartrate variability) and changes in executive functioning. RECENT FINDINGS There is compelling evidence that spending time in nature can increase heartrate variability, improve mental health, and improve executive functioning. However, despite strong theoretical claims that these three outcomes should be linked after spending time in nature settings, few studies directly examine such co-occurrence. The study systematically examines whether studies that considered both mental health and executive functioning (n = 6) showed co-occurring effects in response to nature exposure. Similarly, the study also considers if studies examining mental health and heartrate variability (n = 6) showed similarly directional effects following nature exposure. This systematic review concludes with discussion about the limited number of studies (n =1) that include all three measures. We find mixed results of co-occurrence with these variables, suggesting that the relationship between these three constructs in nature may be more nuanced than current theory suggests. Perhaps more importantly, our results demonstrate that there is very little existing work linking changes in mental health to changes in EF and vagal tone. We conclude with justification for why it may be beneficial for researchers to include all three metrics as well as guidance on how to do so.
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Estrella T, Alfonso C, Ramos-Castro J, Alsina A, Capdevila L. A Serious Game to Self-Regulate Heart Rate Variability as a Technique to Manage Arousal Level Through Cardiorespiratory Biofeedback: Development and Pilot Evaluation Study. JMIR Serious Games 2023; 11:e46351. [PMID: 37616033 PMCID: PMC10485711 DOI: 10.2196/46351] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is an established intervention for increasing heart rate variability (HRV) in the clinical context. Using this technique, participants become aware of their HRV through real-time feedback and can self-regulate it. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was 2-fold: first, to develop a serious game that applies the HRVB technique to teach participants to self-regulate HRV and, second, to test the app with participants in a pilot study. METHODS An HRVB app called the FitLab Game was developed for this study. To play the game, users must move the main character up and down the screen, avoiding collisions with obstacles. The wavelength that users must follow to avoid these obstacles is based on the user's basal heart rate and changes in instantaneous heart rate. To test the FitLab Game, a total of 16 participants (mean age 23, SD 0.69 years) were divided into a control group (n=8) and an experimental group (n=8). A 2 × 2 factorial design was used in each session. Participants in the experimental condition were trained in breathing techniques. RESULTS Changes in the frequency and time domain parameters of HRV and the game's performance features were evaluated. Significant changes in the average RR intervals and root mean square of differences between adjacent RR intervals (RMSSD) were found between the groups (P=.02 and P=.04, respectively). Regarding performance, both groups showed a tendency to increase the evaluated outcomes from baseline to the test condition. CONCLUSIONS The results may indicate that playing different levels leads to an improvement in the game's final score by repeated training. The tendency of changes in HRV may reflect a higher activation of the mental system of attention and control in the experimental group versus the control group. In this context, learning simple, voluntary strategies through a serious game can aid the improvement of self-control and arousal management. The FitLab Game appears to be a promising serious game owing to its ease of use, high engagement, and enjoyability provided by the instantaneous feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Estrella
- Laboratory of Sport Psychology, Department of Basic Psychology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Sport Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Alfonso
- Laboratory of Sport Psychology, Department of Basic Psychology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Sport Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Ramos-Castro
- Group of Biomedical and Electronic Instrumentation, Department of Electronic Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aitor Alsina
- Department of Information and Communications Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluis Capdevila
- Laboratory of Sport Psychology, Department of Basic Psychology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Sport Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Donnelly D, Georgiadis E, Stavrou N. A meta-analysis investigating the outcomes and correlation between heart rate variability biofeedback training on depressive symptoms and heart rate variability outcomes versus standard treatment in comorbid adult populations. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2023; 94:e2023214. [PMID: 37539604 PMCID: PMC10440763 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v94i4.14305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) has previously been used to ameliorate depressive symptoms but its uses for tackling depressive symptoms in an array of comorbid adult patients is less established. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether HRVB is a useful tool to reduce depressive symptoms and improve HRV relative to standard treatment in adult comorbid populations, while also attempting to establish the association between the two outcomes. METHODS An extensive literature review was conducted using several databases including PubMed, Cinahl, Medline, Web of science and clinical.gov/UK register. A total of 149 studies were identified with 9 studies, totalling 428 participants were analysed using a random effects model. RESULTS Depressive outcomes yielded a mean effect size g=0.478 (CI 95% 0.212, 0.743) with HRV outcomes, yielding a mean effect size of g=0.223 (95% CI 0.036 to 0.411). Total heterogeneity was non-significant for depressive outcomes (Q= 13.77, p=0.088 I^=42.86%) and HRV (Q= 1.598, p=0.991, I^=0.000%) which indicates that little variance existed for the included studies. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the outcomes demonstrate that HRVB can improve both clinically relevant depressive symptoms and physiological HRV outcomes in various comorbid conditions in adult populations, while the correlation between the two was moderately negative, but non-significant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nektarios Stavrou
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Hellenic Sport Research Institute, Athens Olympic Sport Complex "Spyros Louis", Athens, Greece .
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Rahman S, Habib A, Karmakar C, Yearwood J. Impact of synthetic noise signature and physiologic ECG signal on designing ML-based ECG noise detection framework. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083183 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10341145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Automatic signal analysis using artificial intelligence is getting popular in digital healthcare, such as ECG rhythm analysis, where ECG signals are collected from traditional ECG machines or wearable ECG sensors. However, the risk of using an automated system for ECG analysis when noise is present can lead to incorrect diagnosis or treatment decisions. A noise detector is crucial to minimise the risk of incorrect diagnosis. Machine learning (ML) models are used in ECG noise detection before clinical decision-making systems to mitigate false alarms. However, it is essential to prove the generalisation capability of the ML model in different situations. ML models performance is 50% lesser when the model is trained with synthetic and tested with physiologic ECG datasets compared to trained and tested with physiologic ECG datasets. This suggests that the ML model must be trained with physiologic ECG datasets rather than synthetic ones or add more various types of noise in synthetic ECG datasets that can mimic physiologic ECG.Clinical relevance- ML model trained with synthetic noisy ECG can increase the 50% misclassification rate in ECG noise detection compared to training with physiologic ECG datasets. The wrong classification of noise-free and noisy ECG will lead to misdiagnosis regarding the patient's condition, which could be a cause of death.
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Migliaccio GM, Russo L, Maric M, Padulo J. Sports Performance and Breathing Rate: What Is the Connection? A Narrative Review on Breathing Strategies. Sports (Basel) 2023; 11:sports11050103. [PMID: 37234059 DOI: 10.3390/sports11050103] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Breathing is a natural and necessary process for humans. At the same time, the respiratory pace and frequency can vary so much, depending on the status of the subject. Specifically, in sports, breathing can have the effect of limiting performance from a physiological point of view, or, on the other hand, breathing can regulate the psychological status of the athletes. Therefore, the aim of this narrative review is to focus on the literature about the physiological and psychological aspects of breathing pace in sports performance, merging these two aspects because they are usually considered split, in order to create a new integrated vision of breathing and sports performance. Voluntary breathing can be divided into a slow or fast pace (VSB and VFB, respectively), and their effects on both the physiological and psychological parameters are very different. VSB can benefit athletes in a variety of ways, not just physically but mentally as well. It can help improve cardiovascular fitness, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall health and well-being, allowing athletes to maintain focus and concentration during training and competition. VFB is normal during physical training and competition, but away from training, if it is not voluntary, it can cause feelings of anxiety, panic, dizziness, and lightheadedness and trigger a stress response in the body, affecting the athlete's quality of life. In summary, the role of breathing in the performance of athletes should be considered, although no definitive data are available. The connection between breathing and sports performance is still unclear, but athletes can obtain benefits in focus and concentration using slow breathing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Russo
- Department of Human Sciences, Università Telematica degli Studi IUL, 50122 Florence, Italy
| | - Mike Maric
- Department of Performance, Sport Science Lab, 09131 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Johnny Padulo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
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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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Yen CF, Chou WP, Hsu CY, Wu HC, Wang PW. Effects of heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBFB) on sleep quality and depression among methamphetamine users. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 162:132-139. [PMID: 37149922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine is garnering concern due to its increasing use worldwide. Depression and sleep quality are major mental health issues in substance users. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBFB) has shown promising results in terms of reducing depression and increasing sleep quality. The present study aimed to explore the effects of HRVBFB on these two issues in methamphetamine users. Sixty-one methamphetamine users were enrolled and allocated randomly into a treatment as usual (TAU) group and a HRVBFB plus TAU group. The levels of depressive symptoms and sleep quality were assessed at intake, end of the intervention, and end of follow-up. Compared with baseline, the levels of depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality were decreased at the end of the intervention and follow-up in the HRVBFB group. The HRVBFB group exhibited a greater decrease in depressive symptoms and a better improvement in sleep quality than the TAU group. The associations of HRV indices with levels of depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality were different in the two groups. Our results showed that HRVBFB is a promising intervention for reducing depressive symptoms and improving sleep quality in methamphetamine users. The benefits with respect to depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality can extend beyond the end of HRVBFB intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Fang Yen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Po Chou
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yao Hsu
- Department of Addiction Science, Kai-Suan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chi Wu
- Department of Addiction Science, Kai-Suan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Wei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
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Alizadeh EA, Trautmann T, Krause F, Knoeferl B, Guns PJ, De Meyer G, Guth BD, Markert M. The impact of environmental and biological factors on the resting heart rate of dogs as assessed using 20 years of data from safety pharmacology studies. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2023; 121:107263. [PMID: 36965603 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2023.107263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A safety pharmacology study detects and evaluates potential side effects of a new drug on physiological function at therapeutic levels and above and, in most cases, prior to the initiation of clinical trials. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of environmental and biological factors on resting heart rate (HR), a representative cardiac parameter in cardiovascular safety pharmacology. METHODS Over twenty years, 143 dogs (Beagles, Labradors and mongrels) received implanted telemetry transmitters to measure aortic pressure (AP), left ventricular pressure (LVP), Electrocardiogram (ECG) and body temperature. Throughout the 7-h period of data collection, data were continuously recorded without drug treatment and included the range of HRs resulting from spontaneous physiological changes. Statistics and visualizations were calculated using R and Spotfire. RESULTS Beagles had a higher HR than the mongrels, while Labradors had a lower HR than mongrels. Labradors were found to have a sex-based difference in HR, with females having a higher HR. A higher HR was observed in young animals of all breeds when they were in contact with humans. The cage system affected the HR of Labradors and mongrels more than Beagles. Larger dogs (e.g. Labrador) have a lower HR than smaller dogs (Beagles). Animals that are younger were found to have more HR variability and have a higher HR than older animals. In addition, older animals reacted less to the application period and human interaction than younger animals. The HR response of animals inside a cage system may depend on the cage system in which they were bred. A familiar cage system typically has less impact on HR. DISCUSSION This retrospective data base evaluation has demonstrated the impact of environmental and biological factors on cardiovascular parameters in the context of performing safety pharmacology studies. Breed, sex, age and the type of cage system used affected, at least in some cases, the HR and its variability. They should therefore be carefully considered when designing safety pharmacology studies to have the highest possible test sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Ataei Alizadeh
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, General Pharmacology Group, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Germany
| | - Thomas Trautmann
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, General Pharmacology Group, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Germany
| | - Florian Krause
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, General Pharmacology Group, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Germany
| | - Benjamin Knoeferl
- Department of Global Biostatistics & Data Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Germany
| | - Pieter-Jan Guns
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guido De Meyer
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Brian D Guth
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, General Pharmacology Group, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Germany
| | - Michael Markert
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, General Pharmacology Group, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Germany.
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Trivedi GY, Kathirvel S, Sharma K, Saboo B. Effect of Various Lengths of Respiration on Heart Rate Variability during Simple Bhramari (Humming). Int J Yoga 2023; 16:123-131. [PMID: 38204770 PMCID: PMC10775838 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_113_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Heart rate varies during breathing and the heart rate variability (HRV) facilitates the autonomic homeostatic capacity. The maximum HRV was observed at around 10 s of prolonged respiration as per HRV biofeedback literature. However, there is a gap in understanding the variations in HRV by different respiration lengths during simple Bhramari practice. Objective To assess the effect of various respiration lengths (8, 10, 12, and 14 s) on HRV during the simple Bhramari (humming) practice. Methodology A total of 118 individuals (67 males, 51 females) signed up for the study based on convenience sampling at a wellness center. A randomized (simple permutation) within-subject crossover design with repeated measures was used to measure their HRV during the simple Bhramari practice. The results were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and paired samples t-test. Results The results indicate that, unlike the 10 s of respiration during HRV biofeedback breathing, maximum HRV during humming happens between 12 and 14 s of long breathing. Conclusions The unique findings of the study demonstrate the maximization of HRV between the respiration lengths of 12 and 14 s. Future work should explore expanding the research to a broader group of participants, including individuals with chronic conditions and other demographic variables and mantra chanting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Y. Trivedi
- Co-founder, Society for Energy and Emotions, Wellness Space, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Soundappan Kathirvel
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kamal Sharma
- Chief of Interventional Cardiology, SAL Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
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Trivedi G, Sharma K, Saboo B, Kathirvel S, Konat A, Zapadia V, Prajapati PJ, Benani U, Patel K, Shah S. Humming (Simple Bhramari Pranayama) as a Stress Buster: A Holter-Based Study to Analyze Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Parameters During Bhramari, Physical Activity, Emotional Stress, and Sleep. Cureus 2023; 15:e37527. [PMID: 37193427 PMCID: PMC10182780 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective In this study, our goal was to understand the comparative impact of humming, physical activity, emotional stress, and sleep on several heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, including the stress index (SI), and to assess the effectiveness of humming (simple Bhramari) as a stress buster based on the HRV parameters. Methods This pilot study assessed the long-term HRV parameters of 23 participants in terms of four activities: humming (simple Bhramari), physical activity, emotional stress, and sleep. The single-channel Holter device measured the readings, and data was analyzed using Kubios HRV Premium software for time and frequency-domain HRV parameters, including the stress index. Regarding statistical analysis, single-factor ANOVA followed by paired t-test was used to compare the results of HRV parameters "during" the four activities to understand if humming generates the outcome to enhance the autonomic nervous system. Results Our findings revealed that humming generates the lowest stress index compared to all three other activities (physical activity, emotional stress, and sleep). Several additional HRV parameters also supported the positive impact on the autonomic nervous, equivalent to stress reduction. Conclusions Humming (simple Bhramari) can be an effective stress-buster based on the assessment of several HRV parameters during its practice and in comparison with other activities. A regular daily humming routine can help enhance the parasympathetic nervous system and slow down sympathetic activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Trivedi
- Society for Energy & Emotions, Wellness Space, Ahmedabad, IND
| | - Kamal Sharma
- Cardiology, Dr. Kamal Sharma Cardiology Clinic, Ahmedabad, IND
| | - Banshi Saboo
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes Care & Hormone Clinic, Ahmedabad, IND
| | - Soundappan Kathirvel
- Community Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, IND
| | - Ashwati Konat
- Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, IND
| | | | | | - Urva Benani
- Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Internal Medicine, Ahmedabad, IND
| | - Kahan Patel
- Internal Medicine, B J Medical College, Ahmedabad, IND
| | - Suchi Shah
- Internal Medicine, AMC MET Medical College, Ahmedabad, IND
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Bates ME, Eddie D, Lehrer PM, Nolan RP, Siepmann M. Editorial: Integrated cardiovascular and neural system processes as potential mechanisms of behavior change. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1175691. [PMID: 37032946 PMCID: PMC10074486 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1175691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marsha E. Bates
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - David Eddie
- Recovery Research Institute and Psychiatry Department, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Paul M. Lehrer
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Robert P. Nolan
- Behavioural Cardiology Research Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Siepmann
- Clinic for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Adding Core Muscle Contraction to Wrist-Ankle Rhythmical Skeletal Muscle Tension Increases Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia and Low-Frequency Power. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2023; 48:127-134. [PMID: 36469169 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-022-09568-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Paced breathing and rhythmical skeletal muscle tension (RSMT) at an individual's resonance frequency [~ 6 breaths or contractions per min (cpm)] can stimulate the arterial and vascular tone baroreflexes. Lehrer (Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 1-10, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-022-09535-5 ) has explained that the stimulation rate is important, not the modality. Early RSMT protocols differed in the muscles recruited and whether legs were crossed or uncrossed (in France et al. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 26: 21-25, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-097X.2005.00642.x ; Leher et al. Biol Psychol 81: 24-30, 2009, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.01.003 ; Vaschillo et al. Psychophysiology, 48: 927-936, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.2010.01156.x ). Whereas core muscle RSMT with crossed legs and wrist-ankle RSMT with uncrossed legs produced resonance effects, researchers have not directly compared the effect of these exercises on respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and low-frequency (LF) power. The current within-subjects experiment investigated whether crossing the legs and recruiting core muscles enhances wrist-ankle RSMT effects on RSA and LF power. We trained 35 participants to complete 6-cpm wrist-ankle RSMT (ankles uncrossed), 6-cpm wrist-core-ankle RSMT (ankles crossed), and a control condition in which participants sat quietly (ankles uncrossed) without performing RSMT. We predicted that 6-cpm wrist-core-ankle RSMT would produce greater heart rate (HR), HR Max-HR Min, and LF power than the other conditions. The experimental findings supported our predictions. Both RSMT conditions produced greater HR, HR Max-HR Min, and LF power than the control condition. Wrist-core-ankle yielded greater HR and HR Max-HR Min than wrist-ankle RSMT. Future research should compare wrist-ankle and wrist-core-ankle RSMT with legs crossed. The practical implication for HRV biofeedback training is that wrist-core-ankle RSMT with legs crossed may more powerfully stimulate the baroreflex than wrist-ankle RSMT with legs uncrossed.
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A Pilot Study of a Three-Session Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Intervention for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2023; 48:51-65. [PMID: 36331685 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-022-09565-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Many veterans do not complete traditional trauma treatments; others may continue to struggle with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) even after completing a full course of therapy (Blasé et al., in Int J Environ Res Public Health 18(7):Article 3329, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073329 , 2016). Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback (HRVB) is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological, breathing-based cardiorespiratory training technique that can reduce trauma symptoms and improve HRV parameters. Prior studies have demonstrated HRVB is well-tolerated by veterans with PTSD symptoms (Tan et al., in Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 36(1):27-35, 10.1007/s10484-010-9141-y, 2011; Schuman and Killian, in Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 44(1):9-20, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-018-9415-3 , 2019). This randomized wait-list controlled pilot study tested a short mobile app-adapted HRVB intervention in combination with treatment as usual for veterans with military-related PTSD to determine if further investigation was warranted. We assessed veterans' military-related PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and HRV time and frequency domain measures at baseline, after three clinical sessions, and one month later. This study combined clinical training and home biofeedback with a smartphone app and sensor to reinforce training and validate adherence. In the intervention group, depression and SDNN significantly improved, and we observed marginally significant improvements for PTSD Cluster B (intrusion) symptoms, whereas no significant improvements were observed in the control group. In addition, the brief protocol was acceptable to veterans with PTSD with over 83% of participants completing the study. However, adherence to home practice was low. Findings suggest brief HRVB interventions can decrease comorbid depression and improve overall autonomic function in veterans with PTSD; however, additional research on home biofeedback is necessary to determine the best strategies to increase adherence and which veterans would benefit from brief HRVB interventions.
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Kremer S, Blue T. Biofeedback as an Adjunct or Alternative Intervention to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. Sleep Med Clin 2023; 18:85-93. [PMID: 36764789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Insomnia is highly prevalent and comorbid with many disorders. However, insomnia is underdiagnosed and undertreated in many populations. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is not appropriate or sufficient for some individuals. Biofeedback has demonstrated efficacy in a range of disorders, including insomnia. The authors discuss the history and rationale for the use of biofeedback in the treatment of insomnia and other comorbid disorders. The article also presents current research on biofeedback for insomnia and comorbid disorders with recommendations for using biofeedback as an adjunct or alternative intervention to CBT-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Kremer
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Insomnia Clinic, Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 3200A, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Tanecia Blue
- VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA
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Mayor D, Steffert T, Datseris G, Firth A, Panday D, Kandel H, Banks D. Complexity and Entropy in Physiological Signals (CEPS): Resonance Breathing Rate Assessed Using Measures of Fractal Dimension, Heart Rate Asymmetry and Permutation Entropy. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:301. [PMID: 36832667 PMCID: PMC9955651 DOI: 10.3390/e25020301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As technology becomes more sophisticated, more accessible methods of interpretating Big Data become essential. We have continued to develop Complexity and Entropy in Physiological Signals (CEPS) as an open access MATLAB® GUI (graphical user interface) providing multiple methods for the modification and analysis of physiological data. METHODS To demonstrate the functionality of the software, data were collected from 44 healthy adults for a study investigating the effects on vagal tone of breathing paced at five different rates, as well as self-paced and un-paced. Five-minute 15-s recordings were used. Results were also compared with those from shorter segments of the data. Electrocardiogram (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA) and Respiration (RSP) data were recorded. Particular attention was paid to COVID risk mitigation, and to parameter tuning for the CEPS measures. For comparison, data were processed using Kubios HRV, RR-APET and DynamicalSystems.jl software. We also compared findings for ECG RR interval (RRi) data resampled at 4 Hz (4R) or 10 Hz (10R), and non-resampled (noR). In total, we used around 190-220 measures from CEPS at various scales, depending on the analysis undertaken, with our investigation focused on three families of measures: 22 fractal dimension (FD) measures, 40 heart rate asymmetries or measures derived from Poincaré plots (HRA), and 8 measures based on permutation entropy (PE). RESULTS FDs for the RRi data differentiated strongly between breathing rates, whether data were resampled or not, increasing between 5 and 7 breaths per minute (BrPM). Largest effect sizes for RRi (4R and noR) differentiation between breathing rates were found for the PE-based measures. Measures that both differentiated well between breathing rates and were consistent across different RRi data lengths (1-5 min) included five PE-based (noR) and three FDs (4R). Of the top 12 measures with short-data values consistently within ± 5% of their values for the 5-min data, five were FDs, one was PE-based, and none were HRAs. Effect sizes were usually greater for CEPS measures than for those implemented in DynamicalSystems.jl. CONCLUSION The updated CEPS software enables visualisation and analysis of multichannel physiological data using a variety of established and recently introduced complexity entropy measures. Although equal resampling is theoretically important for FD estimation, it appears that FD measures may also be usefully applied to non-resampled data.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mayor
- School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Tony Steffert
- MindSpire, Napier House, 14–16 Mount Ephraim Rd., Tunbridge Wells TN1 1EE, UK
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, STEM, Walton Hall, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - George Datseris
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Andrea Firth
- University Campus Football Business, Wembley HA9 0WS, UK
| | - Deepak Panday
- School of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Harikala Kandel
- Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Duncan Banks
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, STEM, Walton Hall, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
- Department of Physiology, Busitema University, Mbale P.O. Box 1966, Uganda
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Shusharina N, Yukhnenko D, Botman S, Sapunov V, Savinov V, Kamyshov G, Sayapin D, Voznyuk I. Modern Methods of Diagnostics and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Depression. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13030573. [PMID: 36766678 PMCID: PMC9914271 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13030573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper discusses the promising areas of research into machine learning applications for the prevention and correction of neurodegenerative and depressive disorders. These two groups of disorders are among the leading causes of decline in the quality of life in the world when estimated using disability-adjusted years. Despite decades of research, the development of new approaches for the assessment (especially pre-clinical) and correction of neurodegenerative diseases and depressive disorders remains among the priority areas of research in neurophysiology, psychology, genetics, and interdisciplinary medicine. Contemporary machine learning technologies and medical data infrastructure create new research opportunities. However, reaching a consensus on the application of new machine learning methods and their integration with the existing standards of care and assessment is still a challenge to overcome before the innovations could be widely introduced to clinics. The research on the development of clinical predictions and classification algorithms contributes towards creating a unified approach to the use of growing clinical data. This unified approach should integrate the requirements of medical professionals, researchers, and governmental regulators. In the current paper, the current state of research into neurodegenerative and depressive disorders is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Shusharina
- Baltic Center for Neurotechnologies and Artificial Intelligence, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041 Kaliningrad, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Denis Yukhnenko
- Department of Social Security and Humanitarian Technologies, N. I. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Stepan Botman
- Baltic Center for Neurotechnologies and Artificial Intelligence, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Viktor Sapunov
- Baltic Center for Neurotechnologies and Artificial Intelligence, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Vladimir Savinov
- Baltic Center for Neurotechnologies and Artificial Intelligence, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Gleb Kamyshov
- Baltic Center for Neurotechnologies and Artificial Intelligence, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Dmitry Sayapin
- Baltic Center for Neurotechnologies and Artificial Intelligence, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Igor Voznyuk
- Baltic Center for Neurotechnologies and Artificial Intelligence, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041 Kaliningrad, Russia
- Department of Neurology, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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Nashiro K, Min J, Yoo HJ, Cho C, Bachman SL, Dutt S, Thayer JF, Lehrer PM, Feng T, Mercer N, Nasseri P, Wang D, Chang C, Marmarelis VZ, Narayanan S, Nation DA, Mather M. Increasing coordination and responsivity of emotion-related brain regions with a heart rate variability biofeedback randomized trial. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 23:66-83. [PMID: 36109422 PMCID: PMC9931635 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-022-01032-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Heart rate variability is a robust biomarker of emotional well-being, consistent with the shared brain networks regulating emotion regulation and heart rate. While high heart rate oscillatory activity clearly indicates healthy regulatory brain systems, can increasing this oscillatory activity also enhance brain function? To test this possibility, we randomly assigned 106 young adult participants to one of two 5-week interventions involving daily biofeedback that either increased heart rate oscillations (Osc+ condition) or had little effect on heart rate oscillations (Osc- condition) and examined effects on brain activity during rest and during regulating emotion. While there were no significant changes in the right amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) functional connectivity (our primary outcome), the Osc+ intervention increased left amygdala-MPFC functional connectivity and functional connectivity in emotion-related resting-state networks during rest. It also increased down-regulation of activity in somatosensory brain regions during an emotion regulation task. The Osc- intervention did not have these effects. In this healthy cohort, the two conditions did not differentially affect anxiety, depression, or mood. These findings indicate that modulating heart rate oscillatory activity changes emotion network coordination in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shelby L Bachman
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shubir Dutt
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | | | | | - Tiantian Feng
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Noah Mercer
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Padideh Nasseri
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Diana Wang
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | | | - Vasilis Z Marmarelis
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shri Narayanan
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | | | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
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Changes in Medial Prefrontal Cortex Mediate Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on Positive Emotional Memory Biases. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2023; 48:135-147. [PMID: 36658380 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-023-09579-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Previous research suggests that implicit automatic emotion regulation relies on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, most of the human studies supporting this hypothesis have been correlational in nature. In the current study, we examine how changes in mPFC-left amygdala functional connectivity relate to emotional memory biases. In a randomized clinical trial examining the effects of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback on brain mechanisms of emotion regulation, we randomly assigned participants to increase or decrease heart rate oscillations while receiving biofeedback. After several weeks of daily biofeedback sessions, younger and older participants completed an emotional picture memory task involving encoding, recall, and recognition phases as an additional measure in this clinical trial. Participants assigned to increase HRV (Osc+) (n = 84) showed a relatively higher rate of false alarms for positive than negative images than participants assigned to decrease HRV (Osc-) (n = 81). Osc+ participants also recalled relatively more positive compared with negative items than Osc- participants, but this difference was not significant. However, a summary bias score reflecting positive emotional memory bias across recall and recognition was significantly higher in the Osc+ than Osc- condition. As previously reported, the Osc+ manipulation increased left amygdala-mPFC resting-state functional connectivity significantly more than the Osc- manipulation. This increased functional connectivity significantly mediated the effects of the Osc+ condition on emotional bias. These findings suggest that, by increasing mPFC coordination of emotion-related circuits, daily practice increasing heart rate oscillations can increase implicit emotion regulation.
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Fincham GW, Strauss C, Montero-Marin J, Cavanagh K. Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials. Sci Rep 2023; 13:432. [PMID: 36624160 PMCID: PMC9828383 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-27247-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Deliberate control of the breath (breathwork) has recently received an unprecedented surge in public interest and breathing techniques have therapeutic potential to improve mental health. Our meta-analysis primarily aimed to evaluate the efficacy of breathwork through examining whether, and to what extent, breathwork interventions were associated with lower levels of self-reported/subjective stress compared to non-breathwork controls. We searched PsycInfo, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and ISRCTN up to February 2022, initially identifying 1325 results. The primary outcome self-reported/subjective stress included 12 randomised-controlled trials (k = 12) with a total of 785 adult participants. Most studies were deemed as being at moderate risk of bias. The random-effects analysis yielded a significant small-to-medium mean effect size, g = - 0.35 [95% CI - 0.55, - 0.14], z = 3.32, p = 0.0009, showing breathwork was associated with lower levels of stress than control conditions. Heterogeneity was intermediate and approaching significance, χ211 = 19, p = 0.06, I2 = 42%. Meta-analyses for secondary outcomes of self-reported/subjective anxiety (k = 20) and depressive symptoms (k = 18) showed similar significant effect sizes: g = - 0.32, p < 0.0001, and g = - 0.40, p < 0.0001, respectively. Heterogeneity was moderate and significant for both. Overall, results showed that breathwork may be effective for improving stress and mental health. However, we urge caution and advocate for nuanced research approaches with low risk-of-bias study designs to avoid a miscalibration between hype and evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clara Strauss
- grid.12082.390000 0004 1936 7590Department of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK ,grid.451317.50000 0004 0489 3918Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Jesus Montero-Marin
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Teaching, Research and Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain. .,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health-CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Kate Cavanagh
- grid.12082.390000 0004 1936 7590Department of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK ,grid.451317.50000 0004 0489 3918Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
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Singh Solorzano C, Violani C, Grano C. Pre-partum HRV as a predictor of postpartum depression: The potential use of a smartphone application for physiological recordings. J Affect Disord 2022; 319:172-180. [PMID: 36162652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the role of a time-domain Heart Rate Variability index (the root mean square of successive difference between NN intervals, rMSSD) as a predictor of the onset of postpartum depression. HRV has been related to an increased risk of depression in the general population. However, its role in pregnant women is not clear, and the potential use of smartphone applications to evaluate HRV in this population has not been investigated. METHODS In study 1, simultaneous electrocardiogram and smartphone photoplethysmography were collected. The rMSSD was determined from each recording to evaluate the accuracy of a smartphone application in the measurement of HRV. In study 2, 135 pregnant women provided rMSSD values measured through a smartphone application in the prepartum (second or third trimester) and filled in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in the postpartum (one month after the childbirth). RESULTS Study 1 showed the excellent accuracy of the smartphone application in the measurement of rMSSD. Study 2 indicated that lower prepartum rMSSD predicted higher depressive symptoms in the postpartum (β = -0.217, p = 0.010) after controlling for prepartum depressive symptoms and other potential covariates. LIMITATIONS Artefacts (e.g., hand movements) might have corrupted the physiological signal registered. CONCLUSION This study showed that a reduced vagal tone, indexed by lower rMSSD, during pregnancy was a predictor of depressive symptoms one month after childbirth. The prepartum period may offer an important timeframe to implement preventive intervention on vagal modulation in order to prevent depressive symptoms in the postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caterina Grano
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
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Nashiro K, Yoo HJ, Min J, Cho C, Nasseri P, Zhang Y, Lehrer P, Thayer JF, Mather M. Effects of a randomised trial of 5-week heart rate variability biofeedback intervention on mind wandering and associated brain function. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 22:1349-1357. [PMID: 35761030 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-022-01019-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Previous research suggests that excessive negative self-related thought during mind wandering involves the default mode network (DMN) core subsystem and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback, which involves slow paced breathing to increase HRV, is known to promote emotional well-being. However, it remains unclear whether it has positive effects on mind wandering and associated brain function. We conducted a study where young adults were randomly assigned to one of two 5-week interventions involving daily biofeedback that either increased heart rate oscillations via slow paced breathing (Osc+ condition) or had little effect on heart rate oscillations (active control or Osc- condition). The two intervention conditions did not differentially affect mind wandering and DMN core-OFC functional connectivity. However, the magnitude of participants' heart rate oscillations during daily biofeedback practice was associated with pre-to-post decreases in mind wandering and in DMN core-OFC functional connectivity. Furthermore, the reduction in the DMN core-OFC connectivity was associated with a decrease in mind wandering. Our results suggested that daily sessions involving high amplitude heart rate oscillations may help reduce negative mind wandering and associated brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Padideh Nasseri
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
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Long-term benefits of heart rate variability biofeedback training in older adults with different levels of social interaction: a pilot study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18795. [PMID: 36335140 PMCID: PMC9637191 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22303-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
To test whether heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training benefits older adults with different social interaction levels. METHODS 32 older adults (16 were institutionalized and 16 were not). Both groups received 14 sessions, 15 min, 3 times a week, with half of the individuals receiving HRV biofeedback training and the other half receiving control training. The following parameters were assessed immediately before and after training, and 4.5 weeks after the last session (follow-up period): aerobic conditioning, anthropometric data, emotional scores, and HRV components. RESULTS Before the training, the institutionalized individuals had higher scores of loneliness (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.0001) and lower social touches (p < 0.0001), body mass (p = 0.04), and body fat percentage (p = 0.002) than the non-institutionalized individuals. HRV biofeedback improved symptoms of depression in both groups. HRV improved only in the non-institutionalized group, and loneliness only in the institutionalized group. Lastly, all changes persisted after the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS HRV biofeedback training was effective in improving symptoms of depression in older adults. Improvement of HRV and loneliness was dependent on the level of social interaction.
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Heart rate variability and the risk of heart failure and its subtypes in post-menopausal women: The Women's Health Initiative study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276585. [PMID: 36282885 PMCID: PMC9595519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Low heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic imbalance, is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF). However, its relationship with HF subtypes; heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has not been studied prior. Methods and findings We conducted a longitudinal study in Women’s Health Initiative study cohort to investigate the association of baseline quartiles of resting heart rate (rHR) and HRV measures; SDNN (SD of normal-to-normal RR interval) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive difference of RR interval) measured by twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) on enrollment, with the risk of hospitalized HF and its subtypes. Total of 28,603 post-menopausal women, predominantly non-Hispanic whites (69%), with a mean (SD) age of 62.6 (7.1) years, free of baseline CHD and HF were included. In a fully adjusted cox-proportional hazards regression model which adjusted for age, race, BMI, alcohol intake, education, physical activity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, use of beta-blocker, calcium-channel blocker, hormone therapy, and time-varying incident CHD, the hazard ratios of lowest quartile of HRV (Q1) with HF risk were significant (Q1 SDNN compared to Q4 SDNN: 1.22, 95% CI 1.07, 1.39; Q1 RMSSD compared to Q4 RMSSD: 1.17, 95% CI 1.02, 1.33). On subgroup analysis of HF subtypes, low HRV was associated with elevated HFpEF risk (Q1 vs Q4 SDNN: 1.22, 95% CI 1.02, 1.47) but not with HFrEF (Q1 vs Q4 SDNN: 1.19, 95% CI 0.95, 1.50; Q1 RMSSD: 1.13, 95% CI 0.90, 1.43). Conclusion Low HRV is associated with elevated overall hospitalized HF risk and HFpEF risk in post-menopausal women. Whether interventions to increase HRV through healthy lifestyle changes will decrease HF risk warrants further investigation.
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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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Agarwal S, Birk JL, Abukhadra SL, Rojas DA, Cornelius TM, Bergman M, Chang BP, Edmondson DE, Kronish IM. Psychological Distress After Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Its Impact on Recovery. Curr Cardiol Rep 2022; 24:1351-1360. [PMID: 35921024 PMCID: PMC9561080 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-022-01747-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize the prevalence, correlates, and health consequences of poor mental health in the increasingly sizable population of survivors of Sudden cardiac arrest (CA) and to describe current intervention research in this area. RECENT FINDINGS After CA many patients report high psychological distress, including depression, generalized anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Emerging evidence suggests that distressed patients' attention may narrow such that anxious awareness of afferent cardiac signals e.g., changes in heart rate or blood pressure, becomes predominant and a cause for concerned, constant monitoring. This cardiac-specific anxiety followed by behavioral avoidance and physiological hyperreactivity may increase patients' already high risk of secondary cardiovascular disease and undermine their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Unlike other cardiovascular diseases, no clinical practice guidelines exist for assessing or treating psychological sequelae of CA. Future research should identify modifiable psychological targets to reduce secondary cardiovascular disease risk and improve HRQoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Agarwal
- Department of Neurology, Division of Critical Care & Hospitalist Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, Milstein Hospital, 177 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY, 8GS-300, USA.
| | - Jeffrey L Birk
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Sabine L Abukhadra
- Department of Neurology, Division of Critical Care & Hospitalist Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, Milstein Hospital, 177 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY, 8GS-300, USA
| | - Danielle A Rojas
- Department of Neurology, Division of Critical Care & Hospitalist Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, Milstein Hospital, 177 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY, 8GS-300, USA
| | - Talea M Cornelius
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Maja Bergman
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Bernard P Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Donald E Edmondson
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Ian M Kronish
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
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The Effect of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training on Vagal Tone in Athletically Talented Secondary School Students. Sports (Basel) 2022; 10:sports10100146. [DOI: 10.3390/sports10100146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examines whether twelve sessions of heart rate variability biofeedback training would improve vagally mediated heart rate variability. If so, it would go some way in explaining why breathing-based interventions reduce clinical symptoms and improve non-clinical performance outcomes. Methods: Thirty participants (N = 30, Nfemale = 13) aged 14–13-year-old, all talented athletes, from a sport specialist school in SE London UK, were randomly divided into three groups, a control group, a psychology skills training combined with heart rate variability biofeedback training group, and a heart rate variability biofeedback only group. For the combined group, a variety of typical psychological skill training techniques were also used. Results: Paired participant t-test and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test found non-significant differences between pre- and post-intervention measurements of heart rate variability. Non-significant results remained even after pooling the biofeedback training groups (n = 19). Conclusions: Our results do not indicate that beneficial effects associated with focused breathing training can be attributed to improved vagal tone. Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of the benefits of focused breathing techniques is necessary to maximize clinical and non-clinical outcomes.
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Early indicators of vulnerability to depression: The role of rumination and heart rate variability. J Affect Disord 2022; 312:217-224. [PMID: 35760196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.06.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the evidence of increased levels of rumination and reduced heart rate variability (HRV) in depression, whether these measures can be considered early indicators of vulnerability to depression has yet to be investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate both levels of rumination and resting HRV in individuals with familial risk for depression that is the most reliable risk factor for the disorder. METHODS Rumination and vagally-mediated HRV were assessed using the Ruminative Response Scale and a smartphone-based photoelectric volumetric pulse wave assay, respectively, in 25 individuals who had family history of depression (but did not report current depressive symptoms), 15 individuals who reported depressive symptoms (but had no family history of depression), and 25 controls (without depressive symptoms and family history of depression). RESULTS Individuals with depressive symptoms and those with a family history of depression were characterized by higher levels of rumination and lower cardiac vagal control than controls. LIMITATIONS Given the small sample size, this study should be used to design larger confirmatory studies; the cross-sectional nature of the study does not allow discussing the results in terms of cause-effect relationships. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggested that individuals at risk of developing depression, also in absence of depressive symptoms, are defined by defective self-regulation capacity that may lead to future depression episodes. Increased ruminative thoughts and reduced HRV may represent early indicators of vulnerability to depression. Effective prevention programs designed to reduce rumination and/or increase HRV may reduce the risk of developing a full-blown depressive episode.
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Schumann A, Helbing N, Rieger K, Suttkus S, Bär KJ. Depressive rumination and heart rate variability: A pilot study on the effect of biofeedback on rumination and its physiological concomitants. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:961294. [PMID: 36090366 PMCID: PMC9452722 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.961294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Recent studies suggest that lower resting heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with elevated vulnerability to depressive rumination. In this study, we tested whether increases in HRV after HRV-biofeedback training are accompanied by reductions in rumination levels. Materials and methods Sixteen patients suffering from depression completed a 6-week HRV-biofeedback training and fourteen patients completed a control condition in which there was no intervention (waitlist). The training included five sessions per week at home using a smartphone application and an ECG belt. Depressive symptoms and autonomic function at rest and during induced rumination were assessed before and after each of the two conditions. We used a well-established rumination induction task to provoke a state of pervasive rumination while recording various physiological signals simultaneously. Changes in HRV, respiration rate, skin conductance, and pupil diameter were compared between conditions and time points. Results A significant correlation was found between resting HRV and rumination levels, both assessed at the first laboratory session (r = -0.43, p < 0.05). Induction of rumination led to an acceleration of heart rate and skin conductance increases. After biofeedback training, resting vagal HRV was increased (p < 0.01) and self-ratings of state anxiety (p < 0.05), rumination (p < 0.05), perceived stress (p < 0.05), and depressive symptoms (QIDS, BDI; both p < 0.05) were decreased. In the control condition, there were no changes in autonomic indices or depressive symptomatology. A significant interaction effect group x time on HRV was observed. Conclusion Our results indicate that a smartphone-based HRV-biofeedback intervention can be applied to improve cardiovagal function and to reduce depressive symptoms including self-rated rumination tendencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Schumann
- Lab for Autonomic Neuroscience, Imaging and Cognition (LANIC), Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadin Helbing
- Lab for Autonomic Neuroscience, Imaging and Cognition (LANIC), Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Katrin Rieger
- Lab for Autonomic Neuroscience, Imaging and Cognition (LANIC), Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefanie Suttkus
- Lab for Autonomic Neuroscience, Imaging and Cognition (LANIC), Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Karl-Jürgen Bär
- Lab for Autonomic Neuroscience, Imaging and Cognition (LANIC), Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Mandarano P, Ossola P, Castiglioni P, Faini A, Marazzi P, Carsillo M, Rozzi S, Lazzeroni D. Heart Rate Fractality Disruption as a Footprint of Subthreshold Depressive Symptoms in a Healthy Population. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2022; 19:163-173. [PMID: 35821868 PMCID: PMC9263681 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20220305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychopathology (and depression in particular) is a cardiovascular risk factor independent from any co-occurring pathology. This link is traced back to the mind-heart-body connection, whose underlying mechanisms are still not completely known. To study psychopathology in relation to the heart, it is necessary to observe the autonomic nervous system, which mediates among the parts of that connection. Its gold standard of evaluation is the study of heart rate variability (HRV). To investigate whether any association exists between the HRV parameters and sub-threshold depressive symptoms in a sample of healthy subjects. METHOD In this cross-sectional study, two short-term HRV recordings (5 min - supine and sitting) have been analyzed in 77 healthy subjects. Here we adopted a three-fold approach to evaluate HRV: a set of scores belonging to the time domain; to the frequency domain (high, low, and very low frequencies) and a set of 'nonlinear' parameters. The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) scale was used to detect depressive symptoms. RESULTS Depressive symptoms were associated only with a parameter from the non-linear approach and specifically the long-term fluctuations of fractal dimensions (DFA-α2). This association remained significant even after controlling for age, gender, BMI (Body-Mass-Index), arterial hypertension, anti-hypertensive drugs, dyslipidemia, and smoking habits. Moreover, the DFA-α2 was not affected by the baroreflex (postural change), unlike other autonomic markers. CONCLUSIONS Fractal analysis of HRV (DFA-α2) allows then to predict depressive symptoms below the diagnostic threshold in healthy subjects regardless of their health status. DFA-α2 may be considered as an imprint of subclinical depression on the heart rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piergiorgio Mandarano
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy,School of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy,Corresponding author Piergiorgio Mandarano, School of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical & Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy E-mail:
| | - Paolo Ossola
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy,Department of Mental Health, AUSL, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Pierluca Marazzi
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Carsillo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Rozzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Morales-Sánchez V, Falcó C, Hernández-Mendo A, Reigal RE. Efficacy of Electromyographic Biofeedback in Muscle Recovery after Meniscectomy in Soccer Players. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22114024. [PMID: 35684645 PMCID: PMC9185253 DOI: 10.3390/s22114024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BF) is a therapeutic technique that has been used successfully in the rehabilitation of injuries. Although it has been applied to athletes, its use in this field is not very widespread. The objective of this study is to analyze its effectiveness in the recovery of electromyographic activity of the quadriceps after meniscectomy, evaluated through isometric contraction of the vastus lateralis. The sample comprised ten professional footballers in the Spanish League (2nd Division A) who had previously suffered a meniscus injury in their knee and had undergone a meniscectomy. The intervention consisted of EMG-BF treatment lasting between 6 and 10 sessions. The electromyographic signal was recorded using a Thought Technology ProComp Infiniti 8-channel biofeedback unit with a sampling rate of 2048 samples/second. For each session, a within-subject ABA design of 6 or 10 trials per session was used, with three pre- and three post-measures, which determined the gain for each session. The results indicated (1) improvements in all cases, (2) EMG-BF was effective, (3) the working model was statistically significant with an explained variance of between 67% and 75%, and (4) the generalizability analysis showed that the results are reliable and generalizable. The results indicate that EMG-BF is effective in neuromuscular rehabilitation after this type of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Morales-Sánchez
- Department of Social Psychology, Social Anthropology, Social Work and Social Services, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (V.M.-S.); (A.H.-M.)
| | - Coral Falcó
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5020 Bergen, Norway;
| | - Antonio Hernández-Mendo
- Department of Social Psychology, Social Anthropology, Social Work and Social Services, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (V.M.-S.); (A.H.-M.)
| | - Rafael E. Reigal
- Department of Social Psychology, Social Anthropology, Social Work and Social Services, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (V.M.-S.); (A.H.-M.)
- Correspondence:
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Urben S, Habersaat S, Palix J, Fegert JM, Schmeck K, Bürgin D, Seker S, Boonmann C, Schmid M. Examination of the importance of anger/irritability and limited prosocial emotion/callous-unemotional traits to understand externalizing symptoms and adjustment problems in adolescence: A 10-year longitudinal study. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:939603. [PMID: 36245864 PMCID: PMC9556640 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.939603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Within a longitudinal study (10-year follow-up), we aim to examine the role of anger/irritability and limited prosocial emotion/callous-unemotional traits in predicting externalizing symptoms and adjustment problems in individuals formerly in youth residential care institutions. Method These dimensions were assessed in 203 young adults, with baseline assessments during youth residential care and a follow-up 10 years later. Results In general, emotional problems and psychopathological symptoms did not reduce over time. Analyses of regression revealed that a younger age at baseline, anger/irritability both at baseline assessment, and regarding their aggravation over time refer to significant predictors of the level of externalizing symptoms at 10-year follow-up (R 2 = 0.431) and the worsening of externalizing symptoms over time (R 2 = 0.638). Anger/irritability has been observed to be a significant predictors of both the level of adjustment problems at 10-year follow-up (R 2 = 0.471) and its worsening over time (R 2 = 0.656). Discussion Our results suggest that dysregulation of anger/irritability is a key factor in the prediction of long-term externalizing symptoms and adjustment problems as well as its worsening over time. Possible implications for intervention and prevention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Urben
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Sébastien Urben,
| | - Stéphanie Habersaat
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julie Palix
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jörg M. Fegert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Klaus Schmeck
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Bürgin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Süheyla Seker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cyril Boonmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Forensic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Schmid
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
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Lin IM, Wu YC, Su WS, Ke CLK, Lin PY, Huang MF, Yeh YC, Wu KT, Yen CF, Ko CH, Fan SY. Cardiac Autonomic and Cardiac Vagal Control During and After Depressive and Happiness Autobiographical Memories in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:878285. [PMID: 35722587 PMCID: PMC9201501 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.878285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart rate variability (HRV) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) are indices of cardiac autonomic and cardiac vagal control (CVC), both of which are markers of emotional regulation and physical health. This study examined (1) the differences in cardiac autonomic regulation and CVC during baseline, depressive, and happiness autobiographical memory tasks between participants with major depressive disorder (MDD group) and healthy controls (HC group); (2) the associations between depressive symptoms and cardiac autonomic and CVC; and (3) the reactivity and recovery of cardiac autonomic and CVC between the MDD and HC groups. METHODS A total of 168 and 178 participants were included in the MDD and HC groups, respectively. Demographic data and the Beck Depression Inventory-II were collected before the experimental procedure. Lead II electrocardiograph (ECG) was measured during baseline, depressive, and happiness autobiographical memory tasks, and then interbeat intervals from ECG were converted to the time and frequency domains of HRV and RSA. RESULTS The participants in the MDD group showed lower HRV (including standard deviation of normal to normal intervals, low frequency, the natural logarithm of low frequency, and the natural logarithm of high frequency) and CVC (RSA and lnRSA) than those in the HC group. Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with heart rate and negatively correlated with the indices of cardiac autonomic and CVC. There was significantly increased reactivity and recovery of cardiac autonomic and CVC during and after depressive and happiness autobiographical memory tasks in the HC group, but not in the MDD group. DISCUSSION Participants with MDD had cardiac autonomic and CVC dysregulation, decreased reactivity, and did not recover to baseline after emotional provocations. These results can be the theoretical basis for clinical intervention by using HRV biofeedback to restore cardiac autonomic regulation and CVC during and after emotional events in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Mei Lin
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Chen Wu
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-So Su
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Li Khale Ke
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal SiaoGang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yun Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal SiaoGang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Feng Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Yeh
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ta Wu
- Health Management Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Fang Yen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hung Ko
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal SiaoGang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yu Fan
- Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Influencing Cardiovascular Outcomes through Heart Rate Variability Modulation: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11122198. [PMID: 34943435 PMCID: PMC8700170 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11122198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychological stress is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Heart rate variability (HRV)-biofeedback could significantly reduce stress levels and improve autonomic nervous system function and cardiovascular endpoints. We aimed to systematically review the literature to investigate the impact of HRV modulation through HRV-biofeedback on clinical outcomes in patients with CVD. A literature search was performed in the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane from the inception until 1 October 2021. Patients in the HRV-biofeedback group had significantly lower rates of all-cause readmissions than patients who received psychological education (respectively, p = 0.028 and p = 0.001). Heart failure following HRV-biofeedback displayed an inverse association with stress and depression (respectively, p = 0.022 and p = 0.033). When stratified according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), patients with LVEF ≥ 31% showed improved values of the 6 min walk test after HRV-biofeedback interventions (p = 0.05). A reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure associated with HRV-biofeedback was observed (p < 0.01) in pre-hypertensive patients. HRV-biofeedback had beneficial effects on different cardiovascular diseases documented in clinical trials, such as arterial hypertension, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. A standard breathing protocol should be applied in future studies to obtain equivalent results and outcomes. However, data regarding mortality in patients with coronary artery disease are scarce and need further research.
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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: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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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49
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Substance Use and Addiction Affect More Than the Brain: the Promise of Neurocardiac Interventions. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2021; 8:431-439. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-021-00379-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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50
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Szulczewski MT. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined With Slow Breathing: Speculations on Potential Applications and Technical Considerations. Neuromodulation 2021; 25:380-394. [PMID: 35396070 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a relatively novel noninvasive neurostimulation method that is believed to mimic the effects of invasive cervical VNS. It has recently been suggested that the effectiveness of taVNS can be enhanced by combining it with controlled slow breathing. Slow breathing modulates the activity of the vagus nerve and is used in behavioral medicine to decrease psychophysiological arousal. Based on studies that examine the effects of taVNS and slow breathing separately, this article speculates on some of the conditions in which this combination treatment may prove effective. Furthermore, based on findings from studies on the optimization of taVNS and slow breathing, this article provides guidance on how to combine taVNS with slow breathing. MATERIALS AND METHODS A nonsystematic review. RESULTS Both taVNS and slow breathing are considered promising add-on therapeutic approaches for anxiety and depressive disorders, chronic pain, cardiovascular diseases, and insomnia. Therefore, taVNS combined with slow breathing may produce additive or even synergistic beneficial effects in these conditions. Studies on respiratory-gated taVNS during spontaneous breathing suggest that taVNS should be delivered during expiration. Therefore, this article proposes to use taVNS as a breathing pacer to indicate when and for how long to exhale during slow breathing exercises. CONCLUSIONS Combining taVNS with slow breathing seems to be a promising hybrid neurostimulation and behavioral intervention.
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