Assessment of Stress Level of Young Undergraduates Before and After a Degree Examination Using Heart Rate Variability Analysis

This study aimed at assessing the value of heart rate variability (HRV) as a stress indicator before and after a final re-sit exam among healthy sixth grade medical students. Fifty participants were recruited for the study (test group, n = 30; control group, n = 20). Each participant was examined for 5 minutes pre and post exam periods using the Heartmath proprietary protocol. EmWave equipment was used to detect, record and analyze the HR and to plot out the variability in discrete percentages for low, medium and high coherences. Results indicated that mean percentage coherence score was significantly higher in the test group (p < 0.05) at low cardiac coherence domain, but lower (p < 0.05) at the high coherence domain, compared with the control. Coherence score was significantly higher (p < 0.05) after the exam indicating release from stress, as compared to before the examination when stress was observable among the exam candidates. There were no significant gender differences observed in cardiac coherence scores before and after examination. Our findings indicate that HRV is a reliable indicator of real-time exam stress and supports future clinical use of HRV as a non-invasive and simple stress test.

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Effects of eight weeks of physical training on physical performance and heart rate variability in children

Biomedical Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/bhk-2017-0024 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 175-180

Author(s):

Liisa Kraama ◽

Pablo Yague ◽

Heikki Kyröläinen ◽

Seppo Pulkkinen ◽

Tuuli Matinsalo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Endurance Training ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Physical Training ◽

High Frequency ◽

Test Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Before And After ◽

Active Adults

Summary Study aim: Physically active adults have been shown to have higher heart rate variability (HRV) than less active adults, but less is known about children in this regard. In adults, training-induced changes in physical performance have been shown to be related to increase in HRV, especially in its high frequency component (HF), which is a marker of parasympathetic activity. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 8 weeks of instructed physical training would improve physical performance and cardiac autonomic function (HRV) in secondary school pupils and to examine the relationship between changes in physical performance and the function of the autonomic nervous system. Material and methods: The test group included 12 girls and 12 boys and the control group 7 girls and 7 boys. All the subjects were 13-15 years old. Physical training included warm up, circuit training, endurance training, stretching and relaxation 3 times a week for eight weeks. Endurance training intensity was 70-75% of maximal heart rate. Endurance, flexibility, speed and power were measured before and after training. The low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of HRV were recorded in supine rest and in standing conditions before and after the eight-week period. Results: Time to exhaustion in the endurance test increased in the test group (p < 0.001), flexibility and ball throwing improved in the test group (p < 0.05), while no changes were observed in the control group. No significant changes were observed in HRV in either group. Conclusions: In conclusion, eight weeks of physical training improves physical performance in children, but it might not affect autonomic cardiac function.

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Heart rate variability: Analysis of time-domain indices in patients with chronic Chagas disease before and after an exercise program

Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia (English Edition) ◽

10.1016/j.repce.2013.03.003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 219-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marcus Vinicius Amaral da Silva Souza ◽

Carla Cristiane Santos Soares ◽

Juliana Rega de Oliveira ◽

Cláudia Rosa de Oliveira ◽

Paloma Hargreaves Fialho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Chagas Disease ◽

Time Domain ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Heart Rate Variability Analysis ◽

Variability Analysis ◽

Before And After ◽

Chronic Chagas Disease

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Central serous chorioretinopathy and heart rate variability analysis with a smartphone application

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-71938-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Keigo Takeshima ◽

Koji Tanaka ◽

Ryusaburo Mori ◽

Yu Wakatsuki ◽

Hajime Onoe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Patient Group ◽

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy ◽

Smoking History ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Heart Rate Variability Analysis ◽

Autonomic Tone ◽

Exercise Habits

Abstract The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) by using a smartphone-based application (ANBAI: DUMSCO Inc.) for measurement, and to clarify its relationships with CSC. The subjects were 64 CSC patients (mean age 48.7 ± 7.6 years, 57 males and 7 females). After providing consent, the patients downloaded ANBAI apps to their smartphones. HRV was measured by photoelectric volume pulse wave measurement with a smartphone camera each morning for a minimum of 1 week. The primary outcome was to analyze HRV by calculating log LF/HF (Low Frequency/High Frequency components), an index of autonomic tone, which was then compared with a control group of 35,226 individuals from the application. Secondary outcome measures included disease duration, body mass index, exercise habits, smoking history, steroid use, occupation, lifestyle regularity, psychological fatigue, physical fatigue, and average sleep time. The log LF/HF was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Log LF/HF was significantly lower in patients with exercise habits as a factor contributing to log LF/HF in the patient group (P = 0.019). Analysis of HRV in CSC patients showed an impairment of the autonomic nervous system. Exercise habits may also be associated with CSC.

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The Development of Selected Cardiovascular Parameters in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus During a Spa Treatment

Physiological Research ◽

10.33549/physiolres.933228 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. S661-S667 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

E. FIALOVÁ ◽

O. KITTNAR

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Sympathetic Tone ◽

Control Group ◽

Electrical Stability ◽

Before And After ◽

Spa Treatment

Diabetes mellitus is not just a simple metabolic disorder, however, it is considered to be a cardiovascular disease of a metabolic origin. This is apparent especially when speaking about type 2 diabetes (DM II). The objective of our study was to determine whether a comprehensive spa treatment (procedures and drinking cure) may affect the level of the sympathetic tone of patients suffering from DM II. As an indicator of the sympathetic tone, selected electrocardiographic parameters derived from the heart rate variability and microwave alternans were chosen. There were 96 patients enrolled in our study: 38 patients with poorly controlled DM II and two control groups: 9 patients with compensated DM II and 49 patients, average age without diabetes or other disorders of the glucose metabolism. All received an identical spa treatment and continued their medical therapy. The electrophysiological examination of patients was performed before and after a three-week spa treatment using the KARDiVAR system. Parameters derived from the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), microvolt T-wave alternans, and microvolt R-wave alternans were analyzed in order to evaluate the tones of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The control group showed a slight increase of parameter the index of activity of regulatory systems (IRSA) (4.4±1.3 vs. 3.8±1.4; p=0.006) after the spa treatment, while increased heart rate (80.9±11.0 vs. 74.6±9.6; p=0.028), reduced index of centralization (IC) (1.3±0.6 vs. 2.9±1.4; p=0.027) and reduced index of myocardium (IM) (9.9±7.4 vs. 18.0±6.3; p=0.041) were found in patients with a compensated DM II. Patients with a poorly compensated DM II showed a decreased IM (10.9±8.6 vs. 16.9±5.2; p=0.001) and also a reduced IRSA (4.1±3.5 vs. 6.3±1.9; p=0.001). The results proved favorable changes in ANS cardiovascular control of patients with DM II after a spa treatment, especially in terms of reducing the sympathoadrenal system activity (decreased IRSA), improving electrical stability of the myocardium and increasing centrally controlled heart rate variability without overloading the cardiovascular system (drop of IM).

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Heart rate variability in the course of chemotherapy and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for peadiatric patients with haematological malignancies

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s1047951120001298 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (7) ◽

pp. 967-974

Author(s):

Honami Kobayashi ◽

Noriko Motoki ◽

Saori Yokota ◽

Ayako Kanai ◽

Shoko Yamazaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Cell Transplantation ◽

Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Haematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Heart Rate Variability Analysis ◽

Haematological Malignancies ◽

Before And After

AbstractBackground:High-dose chemotherapy and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation are essential for patients with paediatric haematologic diseases, although cardiotoxicity remains a concern. Heart rate variability analysis can evaluate autonomic nervous function interactions with cardiac function.Objective:This study aimed to characterise heart rate variability differences between patients undergoing chemotherapy and controls, and the effects of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation on the autonomic nervous system in patients with haematological malignancies.Methods:Nineteen patients (11 male, median age: 11.6 years) who received conventional chemotherapy followed by transplantation and 19 non-transplant patients (10 male, median age: 11.5 years) receiving chemotherapy only between 2006 and 2018 for haematological malignancies were retrospectively enrolled. Data from 24-hour Holter monitoring were recorded after chemotherapy and before and after transplantation. Heart rate variability was analysed in patients and 32 matched normal controls.Results:There were significant differences between patients and normal controls in all heart rate variability analysis parameters apart from coefficient of variation of RR interval and standard deviation of the average normal RR interval for all 5-minute segments during sleeping. There was a significant difference in the cumulative anthracycline dose and heart rate variability during sleep between the non-transplant and pre-transplant groups. We observed no remarkable differences in time-domain analysis parameters between before and after transplantation, although the low-frequency component of power-spectrum analysis during awake hours was significantly decreased after transplantation.Conclusion:Conventional chemotherapy for paediatric haematologic diseases may be a risk factor for autonomic dysfunction. Further declines in heart rate variability after transplantation appear minor.

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Heart rate variability and systemic hemodynamic state in adults with a first time, non-traumatic epileptic seizure during an orthoclinostatic stress test

Bulletin of Siberian Medicine ◽

10.20538/1682-0363-2019-4-44-54 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 44-54

Author(s):

O. V. Grebenyuk ◽

V. M. Alifirova ◽

M. V. Svetlik ◽

N. G. Kataeva ◽

V. N. Vasilyev

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Epileptic Seizure ◽

Stress Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Vertical Position ◽

Loss Of Consciousness ◽

Systemic Hemodynamic ◽

Hemodynamic State ◽

First Time

The aim of the study was to investigate vegetative maintenance of the activity and state of systemic hemodynamics in patients with a first time, non-traumatic epileptic seizure during a tilt table test (TTT).Materials and methods. TTT was performed in 42 patients with absence of seizures and 78 patients having experienced unprovoked seizures. A control group included 70 patients with non-epileptic seizures with transient loss of consciousness (TLC), defined as syncope. The control group included 38 people without episodes of loss of consciousness in their medical history. The parameters of hemodynamics and heart rate variability (HRV) were investigated at all stages of the test.Results. In patients with absence of seizures, initial sympathicotonia was recorded along with a decrease in ergotropic activation in orthostasis. In patients with unprovoked seizures, a hypersympathicotonic response to the orthostatic test was detected in combination with impaired vagal overshoot in the clinostatic phase of the test. In patients with TLC, evidence of vegetative insufficiency in the vertical position was identified, with the indicators going back to the background values in the horizontal position.Conclusion. The revealed features of vegetative regulation in patients with absence of seizures and unprovoked seizures will allow to differentiate the mechanism of the first-time epileptic seizure more accurately.

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Indicators of vegetative homeostasis in children with mitral valve prolapse before and after treatment

Reports of Vinnytsia National Medical University ◽

10.31393/reports-vnmedical-2019-23(2)-09 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 234-237

Author(s):

A. V. Kuleshov ◽

Y. A. Medrazhevska

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Nervous System ◽

Mitral Valve ◽

Mitral Valve Prolapse ◽

Medical Literature ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Before And After

For children with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) characterized by disorders of vegetative homeostasis, especially pronounced effect on the body sympathetic link of the autonomic nervous system. In the medical literature, the question of correction of vegetative tone in children with primary MVP is now open. The purpose of the study was to study the parameters of vegetative homeostasis in children with mitral valve prolapse before and after treatment. 66 children with primary and primary MVP stage I and II at the age of 13–17 years were examined. The control group consisted of 23 practically healthy children. The evaluation of vegetative homeostasis was performed using a clinorostatic test and cardiointervalography, followed by an analysis of the parameters and parameters of the heart rate variability spectral analysis. To restore vegetative homeostasis to patients with PMC, an existing treatment regimen with our correction was prescribed. Namely, we added therapies levocarnitine and magnesium. According to the data obtained from the CP, we found that treatment led to the normalization of vegetative maintenance of the organism, mainly in the form of a decrease in the hypersympathicotonic tonic type after treatment, along with the baseline (p<0.05). Consequently, the proposed treatment scheme with the use of levocarnitine and magnesium, positively affects the autonomic system in children with primary MVP, reducing its dysfunction.

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The effects of six-week slow, controlled breathing exercises on heart rate variability in physically active, healthy individuals

Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports ◽

10.15561/26649837.2021.0101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 4-9

Author(s):

Cihan Erdem Sürücü ◽

Sarp Güner ◽

Caner Cüce ◽

Dicle Aras ◽

Fırat Akça ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Parasympathetic Activity ◽

Control Group ◽

Vagal Activity ◽

Physically Active ◽

Breathing Exercises ◽

Physical Exercises ◽

Before And After ◽

Controlled Breathing

Background and Study Aim: Heart rate variability (HRV) provides information about sympathetic-parasympathetic balance. The effects of different types of physical exercises on HRV have been investigated so far. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the chronic effects of six-week slow and controlled breathing exercise on HRV in physically active, healthy adults. Material and Methods: A total of 22 individuals (11 female, 11 male) participated in the study voluntarily. The experimental group (EG) attended to the breathing exercises for 15 minutes per day, three days a week for six weeks. Neither the EG nor the control group (CG) did join in any regular physical activity program during the study. Both groups participated in the HRV measurements before and after the six-week of process. Results: Only the EG showed statistically significant changes in some HRV parameters. The alterations observed in LF:HF ratio, HFnu, and LFnu parameters were to reflect the increase in parasympathetic activity. Although the changes in the other parameters of HRV such as SDNN, SDSD, RMSSD, TP, HF, LF, and VLF were also related to increased vagal activity, these alterations were not significant. However, no significant change was found in the CG. Conclusions: These results show that only the slow, controlled breathing exercises for six weeks could be used to improve parasympathetic activity in physically active individuals. A study could be designed where the duration is kept over 8 weeks, and the effects of physical exercises only, breathing exercises only, and physical + breathing exercises together on HRV are examined.

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MODULATION OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ASSESSED THROUGH HEART RATE VARIABILITY BY INTEGRATED AMRITA MEDITATION TECHNIQUE IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC SUBJECTS – A PILOT STUDY

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2020.v13i10.38745 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 68-71

Author(s):

SARIKA KS ◽

VANDANA BALAKRISHNAN ◽

HARISH KUMAR ◽

ANAND KUMAR ◽

KR SUNDARAM

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

High Frequency ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Test Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Normalized Units ◽

Type 2 Diabetic

Objective: This study aims in understanding the effects of Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM), a type of mindfulness meditation, on the autonomic balance of type 2 diabetic patients through assessment of heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: After the initial screening of 30 type 2 diabetic subjects, 10 type 2 diabetic subjects between the age group of 30 and 65 years were randomized into two groups, diabetic test (n=5) and diabetic control group (n=5). Diabetic test group practiced IAM technique under the guidance of a trained practitioner. Both the groups continued the same dietary pattern and medications during the 6-month study period. HRV was taken for all subjects at baseline and after 6 months. In our study, we have focused on the power spectral analysis of HRV which include normalized units of high frequency (nHF), low frequency (nLF), and low frequency-high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio). Results: Mean percentage change in nHF, nLF, and LFHF ratio showed significant changes in between-group comparison (p<0.05). Normalized units of HF increased (p=0.049) while LF (p=0.036) and LFHF ratio (p=0.024) decreased significantly within test group after 6 months of IAM practice suggesting the potential of IAM in improving the parasympathetic tone, thereby tuning the mind and body to calm down during stress. Conclusion: Our study has shown demonstrable improvement in autonomic function which reflects reduced stress after the practice of IAM in diabetic patients.

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