Heart Rate Complexity in US Army Forward Surgical Teams During Pre Deployment Training
Michelle B Mulder1, Matthew S Sussman1, Sarah A Eidelson1
1Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery Divisions of Trauma, Burns, & Surgical Critical Care, Ryder Trauma Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136.
Military Medicine
|July 30, 2020
Summary
A portable heart rate complexity (HRC) monitor can objectively measure stress in soldiers during training. This technology helps assess troop readiness and manage burnout in military healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Military Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The U.S. Army utilizes a portable heart rate complexity (HRC) monitor for trauma triage.
- This device estimates cardiac autonomic input and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity.
- Autonomic and HPA axis stress during predeployment training may alter HRC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in heart rate complexity (HRC) during predeployment training for U.S. Army Forward Surgical Teams.
- To hypothesize that autonomic/HPA stress will cause measurable changes in HRC.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study involved 80 soldiers and 10 civilians.
- Measurements included heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), heart rate variability (HRV), and HRC.
- Data were collected during postural changes, mass casualty (MASCAL) and mock trauma (MT) situational training exercises (STX), and physical exercise.
Main Results:
- Baseline HR and CO increased significantly during MASCAL/MT STX and physical exercise, while HRV and HRC decreased.
- Mock trauma STX and physical exercise induced greater physiological stress responses compared to MASCAL STX.
- All observed changes were statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Portable, non-invasive monitors can quantify HPA stress in real-time during military training.
- HRC monitoring can objectively assess troop readiness and stress levels during training and operational missions.
- HRC metrics may play a role in future healthcare accountability for trainee wellness and burnout prevention.
