title: [Influence of post-traumatic stress disorder on heart rate variability as marker of the autonomic nervous system - a systematic review].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  PTSD is associated with comprehensive disruption of several neurobiological regulation mechanisms and with a disruption in the parasympathetic-sympathetic balance. This can be measured with the heart rate variability (HRV).
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review in PubMed using the keywords "hrv" or "heart rate variability" and "PTSD" or "posttraumatic stress disorder" was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall 15 original studies were identified. In most cases a significant relationship of PTSD for reduction of HRV was demonstrated (9 studies) or, respectively, a reduction by trends was shown in 3 studies. Limitations were discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of the limitations, most of the studies have shown a relationship between PTSD and HRV. However, an assessment of this potential marker as a supplement for clinical diagnosis and therapy follow-up in patients with PTSD seems to be premature on the basis of the data obtained so far. Further research is required.
authors.affiliation: Sachgebiet Wehrmedizinische Forschung, Kommando Sanitätsdienst der Bundeswehr, Koblenz.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sammito
authors.affiliation: Bereich Arbeitsmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thielmann
authors.affiliation: Psychotraumazentrum der Bundeswehr, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Berlin.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.affiliation: Bereich Arbeitsmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Böckelmann
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers