Distinguishing Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Responses: Implications for Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training

Biofeedback ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Leah Lagos
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Postconcussion Syndrome ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Specialized Form ◽  
Biofeedback Research

Recent research has noted a significant overlap between symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and postconcussion syndrome (PCS). In this article, an argument is made for providing a specialized form of heart rate variability biofeedback that allows for the physiological discharge of trauma among patients who present with comorbid symptoms of PTSD and PCS. Recommendations for clinicians who encounter the manifestation of trauma during their work with PCS patients are provided. Future areas of heart rate variability biofeedback research among PCS and PTSD populations are further delineated.

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Postconcussion Syndrome: Implications for Treatment

Biofeedback ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 150-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Lagos ◽  
Thomas Bottiglieri ◽  
Bronya Vaschillo ◽  
Evgeny Vaschillo
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Cerebral Autoregulation ◽  
Autonomic Function ◽  
Aerobic Exercise Training ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Autonomic Balance ◽  
Postconcussion Syndrome ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Fundamental Cause

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback is used to restore balance in the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system by increasing or reducing the activity of either. Researchers have postulated that a fundamental cause of refractory postconcussion syndrome (PCS) is physiologic dysfunction that fails to return to normal after concussion. The primary physiologic issues identified have been altered autonomic function and impaired cerebral autoregulation. Evidence has shown that aerobic exercise training increases parasympathetic activity, reduces sympathetic activation, and improves cerebral blood flow so it may, therefore, help to reduce concussion-related physiological dysfunction. The authors hypothesize that HRV biofeedback training will ameliorate PCS by improving autonomic balance as well as cerebral autoregulation, and that there will be a relationship between increased interval variability and postconcussion symptom reduction.

A Case Report on Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback and Postconcussion Syndrome: Healing the Autonomic Nervous System

Biofeedback ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 86-88
Author(s):  
Leah M. Lagos
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Regulatory Control ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Postconcussion Syndrome ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Cardiovascular Functions

Postconcussion syndrome is a devastating condition of the mind, body, and even personality. Mounting research demonstrates that heart rate variability biofeedback can help the concussed individual in three critical ways: (a) eliciting high amplitude oscillations in cardiovascular functions and thereby strengthening self-regulatory control mechanisms; (b) restoring autonomic balance; and (c) increasing the afferent impulse stream from the baroreceptors to restore balance between inhibitory and excitatory processes in the brain.

Heart Rate Variability and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Clinical Applications

Biofeedback ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Reid-Chung ◽  
Michael Thompson ◽  
Lynda Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Biofeedback Treatment

This paper discusses the clinical applications of heart rate variability (HRV) data in the treatment of clients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In the authors' clinical practice, HRV data is collected at the initial assessment, at progress assessments, and again after the completion of a course of neurofeedback combined with HRV biofeedback treatment. This paper describes HRV seen in healthy individuals compared to HRV in individuals known to have experienced a TBI. Three clinical case examples are discussed that explore the changes in heart rate variability following traumatic brain injury as well as improvements noted during, and following, a course of neurofeedback combined with HRV biofeedback training. The cases illustrated in this paper demonstrate the impressive changes in heart rate variability that can occur following a traumatic brain injury and also highlight how neurofeedback combined with biofeedback training can be used to improve heart rate variability and ameliorate related cognitive symptoms.

The effect of heart rate variability biofeedback training on stress and anxiety: a meta-analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (15) ◽  
pp. 2578-2586 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. C. Goessl ◽  
J. E. Curtiss ◽  
S. G. Hofmann
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
The Cochrane Library ◽  
Study Bias

BackgroundSome evidence suggests that heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback might be an effective way to treat anxiety and stress symptoms. To examine the effect of HRV biofeedback on symptoms of anxiety and stress, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies extracted from PubMed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library.MethodsThe search identified 24 studies totaling 484 participants who received HRV biofeedback training for stress and anxiety. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis.ResultsThe pre-post within-group effect size (Hedges' g) was 0.81. The between-groups analysis comparing biofeedback to a control condition yielded Hedges' g = 0.83. Moderator analyses revealed that treatment efficacy was not moderated by study year, risk of study bias, percentage of females, number of sessions, or presence of an anxiety disorder.ConclusionsHRV biofeedback training is associated with a large reduction in self-reported stress and anxiety. Although more well-controlled studies are needed, this intervention offers a promising approach for treating stress and anxiety with wearable devices.

scholarly journals Biofeedback as an intervention for persistent post-concussive symptoms: A randomized feasibility trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 205970022110464
Author(s):  
Marquise M Bonn ◽  
Liliana Alvarez ◽  
Laura Graham ◽  
James W Thompson ◽  
James P Dickey
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Resolution ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Electromagnetic Tomography ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Study Intervention

Background Case reports indicate that low-resolution electromagnetic tomography neurofeedback and heart rate variability biofeedback may improve physiological functioning in individuals with persistent post-concussive symptoms. However, it is unclear whether larger-scale studies are feasible. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of a combined low-resolution electromagnetic tomography neurofeedback and heart rate variability biofeedback intervention for individuals with persistent post-concussive symptoms. Methods Individuals with persistent post-concussive symptoms were randomized into intervention and control groups, and their baseline and post-test assessments were compared to a healthy control group. Outcomes included self-report questionnaires, resting electroencephalograph and electrocardiograph recordings, and a driving simulation task. Participants in the intervention group completed three 20 min low-resolution electromagnetic tomography neurofeedback sessions per week and at-home heart rate variability biofeedback training every morning and night for 8 weeks. Feasibility was evaluated according to recruitment capability and sample characteristics, data collection procedures, suitability of the intervention and study procedures, management and implementation of the study intervention, and preliminary participant responses to the intervention. Results Thirty-three individuals were recruited and 24 completed this study (seven intervention participants, nine persistent post-concussive symptoms control participants, and eight healthy control participants). One-quarter of participants (four intervention participants and three persistent post-concussive symptoms control participants) experienced simulator sickness during the driving simulator task and had to withdraw from the study. Intervention participants had an 88% and 86% compliance rate for the low-resolution electromagnetic tomography neurofeedback and heart rate variability biofeedback sessions, respectively. Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography neurofeedback sessions took approximately 1 h to complete per participant. Preliminary analysis indicated that the intervention reduced electroencephalograph z-score deviation with a very large effect size ( d = 1.36) compared to the other study groups. Conclusions Pilot studies evaluating the efficacy of low-resolution electromagnetic tomography neurofeedback and heart rate variability biofeedback should be performed to confirm these preliminary findings. However, the protocol should be modified to reduce participant fatigue and withdrawal. This trial was registered with Clinicialtrials.gov (NCT03338036; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03338036?term=03338036&draw=2&rank=1 ).

scholarly journals Effects of heart rate variability biofeedback training in athletes exposed to stress of university examinations

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. e0201388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronique Deschodt-Arsac ◽  
Romain Lalanne ◽  
Beatrice Spiluttini ◽  
Claire Bertin ◽  
Laurent M. Arsac
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback

Treating Postconcussion Syndrome with LORETA Z-Score Neurofeedback and Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback: Neuroanatomical/Neurophysiological Rationale, Methods, and Case Examples

Biofeedback ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Thompson ◽  
Lynda Thompson ◽  
Andrea Reid-Chung
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Quantitative Electroencephalogram

Media attention has highlighted the critical problem of concussion injuries in sport and the challenge of treating and rehabilitating individuals with traumatic brain injury. The authors present a framework for the treatment of traumatic brain injury, using low-resolution electromagnetic tomography Z-score based neurofeedback and heart rate–variability biofeedback. The article advocates a comprehensive assessment process including the use of a 19-channel quantitative electroencephalogram, a heart rate variability baseline, and symptom severity questionnaires for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, and anxiety. The initial medical assessment, neuropsychological assessment, and evoked potential studies also have potential for a more precise assessment of deficits in brain activation patterns, which assists the targeting of neurofeedback training.

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