Heart Rate Variability in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Autonomic Nervous System Function
• Biomedical Signal Processing

Background:

• Heart rate variability (HRV) measures beat-to-beat fluctuations, reflecting autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity.
• Decreased HRV is linked to autonomic dysfunction in psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
• The diagnostic and prognostic utility of HRV in psychiatric populations is under investigation and debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on the use of HRV as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in adult psychiatric populations.
• To assess the current evidence base and identify limitations in the application of HRV in psychiatric research.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed across major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO).
• 31 full-text studies involving adult psychiatric patients reporting HRV measurements were included after screening 1647 initial records.
• Study quality was assessed using a modified Downs and Blacks tool, focusing on observational studies.

Main Results:

• Significant heterogeneity in HRV recording and reporting methodologies was observed across studies.
• Methodological variability and inherent biases complicate the clinical interpretation of HRV data in psychiatry.
• A promising association between HRV and the severity of various psychiatric disorders was identified.

Conclusions:

• The current literature demonstrates variability in HRV measurement and reporting, impacting clinical applicability.
• Despite limitations, the association between HRV and psychiatric disorder severity warrants further investigation.
• Future research should focus on standardizing HRV assessment to enhance its diagnostic and prognostic value in psychiatry.