Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Improves Emotional and Physical Health and Performance: A Systematic Review and...

Area of Science:

• Psychophysiology
• Behavioral Medicine
• Biofeedback Research

Background:

• Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is a technique that utilizes physiological data to influence mental and physical states.
• Its application spans a wide range of conditions and performance enhancements.
• Previous research has indicated potential benefits, but a comprehensive meta-analytic review is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy of HRVB across diverse applications.
• To assess effect sizes for various conditions and human functioning outcomes.
• To compare HRVB's effectiveness against other established treatments.

Main Methods:

• A systematic and meta-analytic review of randomized controlled studies was conducted.
• 1868 papers were initially screened, with 58 meeting the inclusion criteria.
• Effect sizes were calculated for all analyzed outcomes and conditions.

Main Results:

• A significant small to moderate effect size favoring HRVB was found across studies.
• HRVB demonstrated the largest effect sizes for anxiety, depression, anger, and athletic/artistic performance.
• Effect sizes were larger compared to inactive than active control conditions.

Conclusions:

• HRVB is an effective intervention for improving symptoms and functioning in both normal and pathological ranges.
• It shows comparable efficacy to other established treatments.
• HRVB shows promise as a complementary treatment, though further research is needed for specific applications.