title: The effects of respiratory sinus arrhythmia biofeedback on heart rate variability and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: a pilot study.
abstract: Recent studies have found a significant association between PTSD and low heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker of autonomic dysregulation. Research indicates that respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback increases HRV while reducing related pathological symptoms. This controlled pilot study compared RSA biofeedback to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as adjunctive interventions for 38 persons with PTSD symptoms in a residential treatment facility for a substance use disorder. Both groups were assessed at pre-intervention and 4-week post-intervention. Group x time interactions revealed significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms and increases in HRV indices for the RSA group. Both groups significantly reduced PTSD and insomnia symptoms and a statistical trend was observed for reduced substance craving for the RSA group. Increases in HRV were significantly associated with PTSD symptom reduction. Overall, these results provide preliminary support for the efficacy of RSA biofeedback in improving physiological and psychological health for individuals with PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Alliant International University, San Diego, CA, USA. terrilynz@aol.com
authors.forename: Terri L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Zucker
authors.forename: Kristin W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Samuelson
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muench
authors.forename: Melanie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Gevirtz
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000295:instrumentation; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult