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Neurophysiological Approach by Self-Control of Your Stress-Related Autonomic Nervous System with Depression, Stress and Anxiety Patients

Author

Listed:
  • Kees Blase

    (National Centre Stress Management, Innovational and Educational Centre HartFocus, 1231 NC78 Loosdrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Eric Vermetten

    (Department Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • Paul Lehrer

    (Rutgers Medical School, Rutgers University, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852, USA)

  • Richard Gevirtz

    (California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA 92131, USA)

Abstract

Background: Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB) is a treatment in which patients learn self-regulation of a physiological dysregulated vagal nerve function. While the therapeutic approach of HRVB is promising for a variety of disorders, it has not yet been regularly offered in a mental health treatment setting. Aim: To provide a systematic review about the efficacy of HRV-Biofeedback in treatment of anxiety, depression, and stress related disorders. Method: Systematic review in PubMed and Web of Science in 2020 with terms HRV, biofeedback, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, panic disorder, and anxiety disorder. Selection, critical appraisal, and description of the Random Controlled Trials (RCT) studies. Combined with recent meta-analyses. Results: The search resulted in a total of 881 studies. After critical appraisal, nine RCTs have been selected as well as two other relevant studies. The RCTs with control groups treatment as usual, muscle relaxation training and a “placebo“-biofeedback instrument revealed significant clinical efficacy and better results compared with control conditions, mostly significant. In the depression studies average reduction at the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale was 64% (HRVB plus Treatment as Usual (TAU) versus 25% (control group with TAU) and 30% reduction (HRVB) at the PSQ scale versus 7% (control group with TAU). In the PTSD studies average reduction at the BDI-scale was 53% (HRV plus TAU) versus 24% (control group with TAU) and 22% (HRVB) versus 10% (TAU) with the PTSD Checklist (PCL). In other systematic reviews significant effects have been shown for HRV-Biofeedback in treatment of asthma, coronary artery disease, sleeping disorders, postpartum depression and stress and anxiety. Conclusion: This systematic review shows significant improvement of the non-invasive HRVB training in stress related disorders like PTSD, depression, and panic disorder, in particular when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy or different TAU. Effects were visible after four weeks of training, but clinical practice in a longer daily self-treatment of eight weeks is more promising. More research to integrate HRVB in treatment of stress related disorders in psychiatry is warranted, as well as research focused on the neurophysiological mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Kees Blase & Eric Vermetten & Paul Lehrer & Richard Gevirtz, 2021. "Neurophysiological Approach by Self-Control of Your Stress-Related Autonomic Nervous System with Depression, Stress and Anxiety Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3329-:d:522935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Judith Esi van der Zwan & Anja C. Huizink & Paul M. Lehrer & Hans M. Koot & Wieke de Vente, 2019. "The Effect of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training on Mental Health of Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Renata Markiewicz & Agnieszka Markiewicz-Gospodarek & Beata Dobrowolska, 2022. "Galvanic Skin Response Features in Psychiatry and Mental Disorders: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Won Ju Hwang & Mi Jeong Kim, 2022. "Toward Public Health Wellness: Psychosocial & Physical Health in the Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-4, April.

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