24 h-Heart Rate Variability as a Communication Tool for a Personalized Psychosomatic Consultation in Occupational...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Medicine
• Psychosomatic Medicine
• Cardiology

Background:

• Primary prevention strategies for somatic and mental health in occupational settings require novel tools.
• Heart rate variability (HRV) quantifies the body's adaptive capacity and emotional regulation.
• A 24-hour HRV measurement can reveal interactions between psychosocial factors and physiological states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a 24-hour HRV measurement as a tool for psychosomatic primary prevention in occupational medicine.
• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of HRV in enhancing self-perception and motivating behavioral change.
• To present comprehensive HRV data integrated with client-specific situational information.

Main Methods:

• An investigator-initiated, interventional, single-arm, multicenter national trial involving 168 participants.
• Development and administration of a training program for occupational health physicians and client questionnaires.
• Utilized 24-hour HRV monitoring and graphical presentation of data alongside protocol situations.

Main Results:

• Participants reported significantly improved perception of bodily needs post-consultation (Median 7 to 8, p < 0.001).
• The HRV measurement was deemed highly suitable and feasible by 16 occupational health physicians for dialog.
• HRV effectively demonstrated interactions between situations, thoughts, feelings, and bodily reactions.

Conclusions:

• A 24-hour HRV measurement is a feasible and effective approach for holistic, psychosomatic primary prevention in occupational medicine.
• This method enhances self-perception and can motivate behavioral changes for improved health.
• Potential mechanisms include improved mindset and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity.