Neurophysiologic Reactions during Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Session in Adolescents with Different Risk of...

The aim of this study was to determine electroencephalogram (EEG) in a session of heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV BF) in adolescents with different Internet addiction (IA) risks. In total, 100 healthy adolescents aged 16-17 years with minimal risk of IA (Group I, 35%), pronounced risk of IA (Group II, 51%), and stable pattern of IA (Group III, 14%) using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale were examined. HRV and EEG parameters were determined at baseline (5 min), and then during the short-term HRV BF session (5 min), in order to increase the total power (TP, ms²) of the HRV spectrum. Against the background of an increase in the TP and a decrease in sympathetic activity, an increase in alpha EEG was revealed, especially in Groups I and II. The greatest increase in the power of beta₁-activity of EEG in the frontal, central, and temporal brain regionswas found in Groups I and II. In adolescents with a pronounced risk of IA, HRV BF is accompanied by a severe activation of the brain systems, while in persons with a stable type of IA, the least brain reactivity is shown, especially in the beta₁ EEG band.