Respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity in anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder: A review of literature

Research on the link between respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has largely focused on average levels of RSA. However, given that rapid shifts in parasympathetic tone are necessary to maintain adaptive cardiac variability, the exclusive focus on these tonic estimates provides an incomplete quantification of parasympathetic cardiac regulation. The present study is a secondary analysis of previously published data. This analysis aimed to address this limitation by examining the dynamic regulatory effect of the parasympathetic nervous system on heart rate. As such, we examined epoch-to-epoch parasympathetic cardiac regulation – operationalized as the lagged relationship between RSA and heart rate (HR) across consecutive 30-s epochs – across a single night in participants with PTSD, panic disorder (PD), comorbid PTSD and PD (PTSD+PD), and healthy controls. Electrocardiogram and respiratory signals were continuously recorded from 23 participants with PTSD, 14 with PD, 16 with PTSD+PD, and 16 control participants over a single night of sleep in a laboratory setting. No group differences in tonic RSA were observed; however, participants with PTSD only and PTSD+PD exhibited significantly greater epoch-to-epoch parasympathetic cardiac regulation over the night than those with PD only and control participants. Moreover, greater severity of hyperarousal symptoms was significantly associated with increased epoch-to-epoch parasympathetic cardiac regulation among participants with PTSD only and PTSD+PD. These data provide preliminary evidence for an upregulatory parasympathetic response to self-reported hyperarousal in participants with PTSD only and PTSD+PD reflected by increased epoch-to-epoch parasympathetic cardiac regulation.

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A longitudinal study of several potential mediators of the relationship between child maltreatment and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s0954579413000916 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 81-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Chad E. Shenk ◽

Frank W. Putnam ◽

Joseph R. Rausch ◽

James L. Peugh ◽

Jennie G. Noll

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Child Maltreatment ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Experiential Avoidance ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Private Events ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Sinus Arrhythmia ◽

Maltreated Children ◽

The Relationship

AbstractChild maltreatment is a reliable predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, not all maltreated children develop PTSD symptoms, suggesting that additional mediating variables explain how certain maltreated children develop PTSD symptoms and others do not. The current study tested three potential mediators of the relationship between child maltreatment and subsequent PTSD symptoms: (a) respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity, (b) cortisol reactivity, and (c) experiential avoidance, or the unwillingness to experience painful private events, such as thoughts and memories. Maltreated (n = 51) and nonmaltreated groups (n = 59) completed a stressor paradigm, a measure of experiential avoidance, and a semistructured interview of PTSD symptoms. One year later, participants were readministered the PTSD symptoms interview. Results of a multiple mediator model showed the set of potential mediators mediated the relationship between child maltreatment and subsequent PTSD symptoms. However, experiential avoidance was the only significant, specific indirect effect, demonstrating that maltreated children avoiding painful private events after the abuse were more likely to develop a range of PTSD symptoms 1 year later. These results highlight the importance of experiential avoidance in the development of PTSD symptoms for maltreated children, and implications for secondary prevention and clinical intervention models are discussed.

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Effects of RSA Feedback on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology

Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling ◽

10.1375/ajgc.16.2.249 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 249-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Phillip Fourie

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Daily Life ◽

Combined Approach ◽

Sinus Arrhythmia ◽

Psychological Measures ◽

Sympathetic Nervous

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the anxiety disorders with particularly debilitating effects due to flashbacks and hypervigilance in daily life. Treatments commonly focus upon either pharmacological or psychotherapeutic modalities, but there is often a need to merge both of these approaches to deal effectively with the somatic, as well as the psychological, symptoms of PTSD in particular clients. This case study reports the application of a combined approach, using both client-centred counselling plus biofeedback of respiratory sinus arrhythmia to train the client to control his exaggerated sympathetic nervous system responses. Results indicated that both physiological and psychological measures of PTSD in this client significantly reduced during the seven treatment sessions.

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Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

10.1017/9781107445130 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Exacerbates Emotional Complaints but not Cognitive Impairments in Individuals Suffering from Postconcussional Disorder after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie ◽

10.1024/1016-264x/a000132 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 35-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sara C. Schroeder ◽

Ronald M. Ruff ◽

Lutz Jäncke

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Test Performance ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Neuropsychological Test ◽

Composite Scale

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on (a) neuropsychological test performance and (b) self-reported emotional complaints within individuals suffering from postconcussional disorder (PCD) after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). A two-group comparative research design was employed. Two MTBI samples with and without PTSD were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery and the Ruff Neurobehavioral Inventory (RNBI). On the neurocognitive test performances no significant between group differences were found, but the MTBI group with PTSD endorsed a significantly greater number of emotional complaints, especially in the RNBI subscales of anxiety and depression. The patients with PTSD also endorsed a significantly greater number of premorbid sequelae in the RNBI emotional composite scale as well as the RNBI premorbid subscales of pain, anxiety and abuse. In sum, PTSD has a negative impact on emotional but not cognitive functioning within individuals suffering from PCD after a mild TBI.

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