title: Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on EEG Alpha Asymmetry and Anxiety Symptoms in Male Athletes: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BFB) has been shown as useful tool to manage stress in various populations. The present study was designed to investigate whether the biofeedback-based stress management tool consisting of rhythmic breathing, actively self-generated positive emotions and a portable biofeedback device induce changes in athletes' HRV, EEG patterns, and self-reported anxiety and self-esteem. The study involved 41 healthy male athletes, aged 16-21 (mean 18.34 ± 1.36) years. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: biofeedback and control. Athletes in the biofeedback group received HRV biofeedback training, athletes in the control group didn't receive any intervention. During the randomized controlled trial (days 0-21), the mean anxiety score declined significantly for the intervention group (change-4 p < 0.001) but not for the control group (p = 0.817). In addition, as compared to the control, athletes in biofeedback group showed substantial and statistically significant improvement in heart rate variability indices and changes in power spectra of both theta and alpha brain waves, and alpha asymmetry. These changes suggest better self-control in the central nervous system and better flexibility of the autonomic nervous system in the group that received biofeedback training. A HRV biofeedback-based stress management tool may be beneficial for stress reduction for young male athletes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland.|Institute of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dziembowska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland. pawel@ukw.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Izdebski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rasmus
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.|Department of Gastroenterology and Eating Disorders, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus Univeristy in Toruń, Toruń, Poland.
authors.forename: Janina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brudny
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Physical Education and Sport, the University of Economy in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grzelczak
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Physical Chemistry, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus Univeristy in Toruń, Toruń, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cysewski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D056352:Athletes; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods* / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000068356:Self-Control; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anxiety; EEG; HRV BFB; STAI; Self-efficiency