Resonance Frequency Assessment: The Impact and Implications of Inaccurate Assessment in the Clinical Use of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback

Biofeedback ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Kohlenberg
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Resonance Frequency ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
The Impact ◽  
As If

While many researchers and clinicians see assessing resonance frequency (RF) as an important step in heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB), some practitioners providing HRVB acknowledge that they do not pay that much attention to RF. What if RF is not easily measured accurately or is not even particularly relevant to HRVB as it is practiced in the field? There is modest evidence suggesting that intertester reliability for RF may be relatively weak. Further study may be warranted to determine the accuracy and reliability of RF determinations in clinical settings and, perhaps, to what extent RF calculations are necessary at all. If RF is not really being used in the field, then there are a number of questions to be answered concerning the clinical practice of HRVB, such as if reliably determining RF is possible, and even whether HRVB as it is used clinically is biofeedback.

Resonance breathing is associated with improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms during heart rate variability biofeedback sessions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Khan Pettitt ◽  
Benjamin W Nelson ◽  
Richard Gevirtz ◽  
Paul Lehrer ◽  
Kristian Ranta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Resonance Frequency ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Adjunctive Treatment ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Item Scale

Heart rate variability (HRV) appears to be a transdiagnostic biomarker for health and disease. Although initial studies using HRV biofeedback (HRVB) to regulate HRV as a potential adjunctive treatment to gold-standard interventions seem promising, more research is needed to determine which aspects of HRVB training provide the most clinical benefits to those suffering from mental health symptoms. In the current study, we sought to investigate whether time spent in resonance, between-person differences in resonance frequency, and/or within-person resonance frequency trajectory across repeated HRVB sessions were related to changes in depression and/or anxiety symptoms during a 12-week digital mental health intervention that contains HRVB as part of the treatment protocol. We used a retrospective cohort study to examine these associations among 387 participants in the Meru Health Program. For depression, we found that average resonance time per HRVB session, but not total time in resonance, was significantly associated with decreased depression as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale (PHQ-9) across treatment (b=-0.38, 95% CI [-0.76,-0.01], t(377)=-1.99, p=.047). For anxiety symptoms as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), we found neither association significant. Within-person effects were significant for both depression and anxiety, with steeper slopes of time spent in resonance significantly related to reductions in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 symptoms, respectively. Between-person effects were not significant for either depression or anxiety. Our results demonstrate that improvements in resonance efficiency over time in treatment, independent of how each participant starts, are related to reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms.

scholarly journals A Practical Guide to Resonance Frequency Assessment for Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Shaffer ◽  
Zachary M. Meehan
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Resonance Frequency ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Cardiorespiratory System ◽  
Frequency Model ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Resonance Frequencies ◽  
Non Linear

Heart rate variability (HRV) represents fluctuations in the time intervals between successive heartbeats, which are termed interbeat intervals. HRV is an emergent property of complex cardiac-brain interactions and non-linear autonomic nervous system (ANS) processes. A healthy heart is not a metronome because it exhibits complex non-linear oscillations characterized by mathematical chaos. HRV biofeedback displays both heart rate and frequently, respiration, to individuals who can then adjust their physiology to improve affective, cognitive, and cardiovascular functioning. The central premise of the HRV biofeedback resonance frequency model is that the adult cardiorespiratory system has a fixed resonance frequency. Stimulation at rates near the resonance frequency produces large-amplitude blood pressure oscillations that can increase baroreflex sensitivity over time. The authors explain the rationale for the resonance frequency model and provide detailed instructions on how to monitor and assess the resonance frequency. They caution that patterns of physiological change must be compared across several breathing rates to evaluate candidate resonance frequencies. They describe how to fine-tune the resonance frequency following an initial assessment. Furthermore, the authors critically assess the minimum epochs required to measure key HRV indices, resonance frequency test-retest reliability, and whether rhythmic skeletal muscle tension can replace slow paced breathing in resonance frequency assessment.

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Tinnitus: Preliminary Findings from Multiple Case Studies

Biofeedback ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-148
Author(s):  
Andrea Meckley Kutyana
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Autonomic Nervous System ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Autonomic Nervous ◽  
The Impact

According to the American Tinnitus Association, up to 30 million people suffer from tinnitus and, of those, 12.2 million experience tinnitus severe enough to warrant medical attention. Tinnitus is believed to result from an abnormal auditory perception reflecting dysregulation of the central (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS). However, regulating the ANS has received very little research attention despite the fact that stress is correlated with exacerbation of symptoms and distress. It is believed that when the autonomic nervous system is calm, the presence of severe tinnitus will be less noticeable and individuals can shift their experience from one of severe debilitation to one of acceptance and peace. Three case studies are presented as an initial investigation into the impact heart rate variability biofeedback may have on the subjective perception of tinnitus and the accompanying distress. Further research is needed, but heart rate variability biofeedback may prove to be an effective adjunct intervention for tinnitus.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness Based Interventions on Heart Rate Variability and Inflammatory Markers

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rådmark ◽  
Sidorchuk ◽  
Osika ◽  
Niemi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Mindfulness Practices ◽  
Physiological Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) have recently been increasingly used in clinical settings, and research regarding their effects on health has grown rapidly. However, with regard to the physiological effects of mindfulness practices, studies have reported associations that vary in strength and direction. Therefore, in this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to systematically identify, appraise, and summarize the existing data from randomized and non-randomized controlled trials that examine physiological effects of the standardized MBIs by focusing on pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein, and commonly used heart rate variability parameters. The following electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE (via Ovid), PsychINFO (via Ovid), PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest (Dissertations and Theses), and ClinicalTrails.gov. The systematic review identified 10 studies to be included in the meta-analysis, comprising in total 607 participants. The meta-analysis ended up with mixed and inconclusive results. This was assumedly due to the small number of the original studies and, in particular, to the lack of large, rigorously conducted RCTs. Therefore, the current meta-analysis highlights the necessity of larger, more rigorously conducted RCTs on physiological outcomes with standardized MBIs being compared to various forms of active controls, and with more long-term follow-ups.

A preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of heart rate variability biofeedback on heart rate variability and respiration of athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Cayaban Pagaduan ◽  
Yung-Sheng Chen ◽  
James William Fell ◽  
Sam Shi Xuan Wu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Quantitative Review ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback ◽  
Randomized Control

Abstract To date, there is no quantitative review examining the influence of heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV BFB) on the athlete population. Such an undertaking may provide valuable information on the autonomic and respiration responses of athletes when performing HRV BFB. Thus, purpose of this preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of HRV BFB on HRV and respiration of athletes. Searches of Springerlink, SportDiscus, Web of Science, PROQUEST Academic Research Library, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect were conducted for studies that met the following criteria: (1) experimental studies involving athletes that underwent randomized control trial; (2) availability of HRV BFB as a treatment compared with a control (CON)/placebo (PLA); (3) any pre and post HRV variable and/or breathing frequency as dependent variable/s; and, (4) peer-reviewed articles written in English. Four out of 660 studies involving 115 athletes (25 females and 90 males) ages 16–30 years old were assessed in this review. Preliminary findings suggest the promising ability of HRV BFB to improve respiratory mechanics in athlete population. More work is needed to determine the autonomic modulatory effect of HRV BFB in athletes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document