Effect of a Biofeedback Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Individuals With Panic Disorder: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Autonomic Neuroscience

Background:

• Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) is observed in some individuals with panic disorder (PD), potentially increasing cardiovascular mortality risk.
• Heart rate variability-biofeedback (HRV-BF) training is known to enhance autonomic activity modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a 4-week HRV-BF intervention in individuals diagnosed with panic disorder.
• To assess the impact of HRV-BF on autonomic activity and panic symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 52 participants (36 women, 16 men) with PD.
• Participants were allocated to either an HRV-BF group with 0.1-Hz breathing or an active control (HRV-Sham-BF) group.
• HRV was measured under resting and paced breathing conditions before and after the 4-week intervention.

Main Results:

• The HRV-BF group showed significant improvements in HRV time and frequency domain parameters.
• A decrease in heart rate during paced breathing and a reduction in panic symptoms (Panic and Agoraphobia Scale) were observed in the HRV-BF group.
• No significant intervention effects were noted in the HRV-Sham-BF control group.

Conclusions:

• HRV-BF with 0.1-Hz breathing is a noninvasive, nonpharmacological treatment that effectively improves HRV and reduces panic symptoms in individuals with PD.
• Further research is warranted to determine if these improvements translate to reduced cardiovascular disease risk in PD patients.