Exercise and Heart Rate Variability in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Heart rate variability (HRV) is negatively associated with mortality. Decrease in HRV is common in cancer patients. The association between HRV and general survival in cancer patients has made HRV a valuable biomarker for evaluation of the disease prognosis. Exercise is considered an interventional strategy to improve various outcomes in cancer patients. The present paper provides a descriptive review of the literature regarding the effect of exercise interventions on HRV in cancer patients. Methods: A systematic search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in PubMed and Google Scholar, from inception since 1950 till October 15, 2018. The terms exercise, training, cancer, neoplasms, heart rate variability, and HRV were used in the search. Eligible studies were those trials using structured exercise intervention and having untrained adult cancer patients. Only English-language papers were included in the review. Results: Eight studies were included in the review. Of the various HRV parameters, 2 in the time domain (SDNN and RMSSD) and 3 in the frequency domain (LF, HF, and LF/HF) were commonly reported in the studies. Exercise intervention increased SDNN, RMSSD, and HF in all the studies, although the difference did not reach statistical significance in some cases. The results regarding LF and LF/HF were not consistent. Conclusion: In general, exercise intervention can improve HRV in cancer patients. It is suggested that SDNN, RMSSD, and HF parameters be used in the evaluation of exercise effects on HRV because these parameters a) have prognostic value and b) more suitably reflect the effects of exercise training in these patients.

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Physical Exercise Improves Heart-Rate Variability in Obese Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13052946 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 2946

Author(s):

Santos Villafaina ◽

Juan Pedro Fuentes-García ◽

Juan Luis Leon-Llamas ◽

Daniel Collado-Mateo

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Obese Children ◽

Exercise Interventions

Background: Childhood obesity has negative impact on heart-rate variability (HRV) and, thereby, on the cardiovascular health of children and adolescents. Thus, physical-exercise interventions were proposed to increase HRV. The present systematic review aims to provide an up-to-date analysis of research on the effect of physical-exercise interventions on HRV in obese children and adolescents. Methods: An electronic search of the literature was performed, and 10 articles were included. PRISMA guideline methodology was employed. Results: Physical-exercise interventions predominantly involved aerobic training; however, alternative training programs, including judo or recreational soccer, were found. The duration of intervention ranged from 6 to 24 weeks, with a training frequency of between 2 and 7 times per week. The duration of sessions typically ranged from 40 to 60 min. Conclusions: Results of the included articles indicated that physical-exercise intervention increased the HRV and thereby the autonomic modulation of obese children and adolescents. This is significant, as HRV is associated with cardiovascular health. Such physical-exercise interventions are crucial to reduce weight and improve cardiovascular health in children and adolescents, thereby achieving a sustainable future.

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Heart Rate Variability and Cardiovascular Adaptations Among Cancer-Survivors Following a 26-Week Exercise Intervention

Integrative Cancer Therapies ◽

10.1177/1534735420969816 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 153473542096981

Author(s):

Silvie Grote ◽

Jeanette M. Ricci ◽

Salem Dehom ◽

Naomi Modeste ◽

Diadrey-Ann Sealy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Autonomic Dysfunction ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Survival Prognosis ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

At Home

Cardiotoxicity as a result of cancer treatment contributes to autonomic dysfunction and decreased cardiorespiratory fitness among cancer survivors. These deleterious cardiovascular outcomes reduce the survival prognosis for cancer patients and contribute to poor quality of life among survivors. Exercise interventions have been shown as effective in mitigating treatment-related side effects. However, previously published interventions have not explored the potential for improvement in autonomic dysfunction (heart rate variability, HRV). This study examined cardiovascular adaptations in cancer survivors (n = 76) who participated in a 26-week intervention consisting of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART). The most noteworthy improvements occurred during the first 13 weeks of training and were maintained throughout the end of the 26-week period. HRrest improved from baseline (PRE) to the midpoint (MID) ( P = .036) and from PRE to POST timepoints ( P = .029). HRV and VO2max did not initially appear to change in response to CART. However, after stratification on time since treatment, participants who were 5 or more years from their last treatment experienced improvements (ie increase) in the HRV characteristic of HF power ( P = .050) and also in VO2max ( P =.043), when compared to those experiencing less than 5 years of time since their last treatment. These findings highlight a need for more attention to address the cardiorespiratory deficits experienced by those who have recently completed cancer treatment. In conclusion, the CART intervention is effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness and autonomic dysfunction. The structure of the intervention is feasible for cancer survivors to continue with at home, using minimal resources, and without supervision. This at-home model may be even more acceptable to recent survivors that may be homebound immediately following treatment.

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Effect of exercise training on heart rate variability in healthy older adults

American Heart Journal ◽

10.1016/s0002-8703(99)70162-6 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 138 (3) ◽

pp. 567-576 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

Phyllis K. Stein ◽

Ali A. Ehsani ◽

Peter P. Domitrovich ◽

Robert E. Kleiger ◽

Jeffrey N. Rottman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Healthy Older Adults

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Heart rate variability measure in breast cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review

Psychoneuroendocrinology ◽

10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.018 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 68 ◽

pp. 57-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Claudia Arab ◽

Daniel Penteado Martins Dias ◽

Renata Thaís de Almeida Barbosa ◽

Tatiana Dias de Carvalho ◽

Vitor Engrácia Valenti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Heart Rate Variability Measure

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Impact of supportive therapy modalities on heart rate variability in cancer patients – a systematic review

Disability and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1080/09638288.2018.1514664 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 36-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Stefano Palma ◽

Mohammad Keilani ◽

Timothy Hasenoehrl ◽

Richard Crevenna

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Supportive Therapy

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Analysis of heart rate variability in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus)

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i11.19781 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e294101119781

Author(s):

Antonio Gomes da Silva Neto ◽

Daniel Souza Ferreira Magalhães ◽

Raduan Hage ◽

Laurita dos Santos ◽

José Carlos Cogo

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Nervous System ◽

Autonomic Nervous System ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Autonomic Nervous ◽

Rr Interval ◽

Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽

Frequency Domains ◽

The Time Domain

The assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) by linear methods in conjunction with Poincaré plots can be useful for evaluating cardiac regulation by the autonomic nervous system and for the diagnosis and prognosis of heart disease in snakes. In this report, we describe an analysis of HRV in conscious adult corn snakes Pantherophis guttatus (P. guttatus). The electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters were determined in adult corn snakes (8 females, 13 males) and used for HRV analysis, and the RR interval was analyzed by linear methods in the time and frequency domains. There was no sex-related difference in heart rate. However, significant differences were seen in the duration of the P, PR, and T waves and QRS complex; there was no difference in the QT interval. The values for the RR interval varied by 15.3% and 18.8% in male and female snakes, respectively, and there was considerable variation in the values for the high and low frequency domains. The changes in the time domain were attributed to regulation by the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, in agreement with variations in the high and low frequency domains. The values for standard deviations 1 and 2 in Poincaré plots, as well as the values of the frequency domain, provide useful parameters for future studies of cardiac function in P. guttatus.

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Improvement of heart rate variability after exercise training and its predictors in COPD

Respiratory Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.rmed.2011.01.014 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 105 (7) ◽

pp. 1054-1062 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Carlos Augusto Camillo ◽

Viviane de Moraes Laburu ◽

Nicole Soriano Gonçalves ◽

Vinícius Cavalheri ◽

Fernanda Priore Tomasi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Exercise Training

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Increase in the Heart Rate Variability with Deep Breathing in Diabetic Patients after 12-Month Exercise Training

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1620/tjem.220.107 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 220 (2) ◽

pp. 107-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Bhagyalakshmi Sridhar ◽

Nagaraja Haleagrahara ◽

Ramesh Bhat ◽

Anupama Bangra Kulur ◽

Sridhar Avabratha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Deep Breathing

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Heart Rate Variability in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy—A Systematic Literature Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9041141 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 1141 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jakub S. Gąsior ◽

Antonio Roberto Zamunér ◽

Luiz Eduardo Virgilio Silva ◽

Craig A. Williams ◽

Rafał Baranowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Cerebral Palsy ◽

English Language ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Medical Subject Headings ◽

Mesh Terms ◽

Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction ◽

Guidelines And Recommendations ◽

Methodological Guidelines

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction has been reported in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study was to assess the existing literature on heart rate variability (HRV) in pediatric patients with CP and a special attention was paid to the compliance of the studies with the current HRV assessment and interpretation guidelines. A systematic review was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases searched for English language publications from 1996 to 2019 using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms “heart rate variability” and “cerebral palsy” in conjunction with additional inclusion criteria: studies limited to humans in the age range of 0–18 years and empirical investigations. Out of 47 studies, 12 were included in the review. Pediatric patients with CP presented a significantly higher resting heart rate and reduced HRV, different autonomic responses to movement stimuli compared to children with normal development, but also reduced HRV parameters in the children dependent on adult assistance for mobility compared to those generally independent. None of the included studies contained the necessary details concerning RR intervals acquisition and HRV measurements as recommended by the guidelines. Authors of HRV studies should follow the methodological guidelines and recommendations on HRV measurement, because such an approach may allow a direct comparison of their results.

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