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Published on: June 12, 2020
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and task-related heart rate variability: A systematic review and
Andreea Robe1, Anca Dobrean2, Ioana A Cristea3
1Doctoral School "Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions", Babeʂ-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeʂ-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Background:
Research suggests that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with autonomic nervous system dysregulation, but the findings were mixed.
Method:
We conducted a literature review and meta-analysis to quantify the effect of ADHD on vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV). PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, were searched for case-control or cohort studies reporting measures of vagally-mediated HRV, after a task demand, among individuals with ADHD relative to healthy subjects.
Results:
Thirteen articles comprising a total of 869 patients with ADHD and 909 healthy participants were included. As compared to controls, ADHD patients had reduced vagally-mediated HRV, corresponding to a small effect size (Hedge's g = 0.20; CI 95% 0.01 to 0.40). Heterogeneity was high (Q (18) = 76.59, p < 0.001; I² = 77%). There was some evidence of small study effects. Task type, respiration rate assessment and associated comorbid disorders were statistically significant moderators.
Conclusions:
These findings provide evidence for the associations between ADHD and autonomic dysregulation. Future studies addressing HRV reactivity are needed.
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