Bio-behavioral Interventions for Cardiovascular Diseases Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review on Heart Rate...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Preventive Medicine
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major global health burden, necessitating effective secondary prevention and rehabilitation strategies.
• Noninvasive interventions like heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBF) and cardioprotective diets are explored for their potential benefits.
• The established efficacy of these interventions within cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention contexts requires further systematic evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the evidence for HRVBF and heart-healthy dietary patterns in CVD relapse prevention and rehabilitation.
• To assess the potential role of these noninvasive strategies, particularly within hospital-based and postoperative settings.
• To identify gaps in current research and guide future clinical protocol development.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search conducted in Scopus and PubMed, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Focus on studies evaluating heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBF) and cardioprotective dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean, omega-3 fatty acids).
• Inclusion criteria prioritized evidence relevant to patients with established CVD or undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

Main Results:

• Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBF) shows potential to improve autonomic regulation, reduce psychological distress, and decrease hospital stays.
• Dietary interventions, especially Mediterranean-style diets and omega-3 fatty acids, may reduce inflammation and modulate cardiovascular risk markers.
• Limited evidence currently supports the widespread integration of HRVBF and specific dietary patterns into established CVD rehabilitation protocols.

Conclusions:

• HRVBF and cardioprotective diets offer promising avenues for noninvasive cardiovascular rehabilitation and secondary prevention.
• Further research with structured protocols is essential to confirm their efficacy, particularly in immediate postoperative phases or post-acute cardiac events.
• Standardization of study designs is crucial for enhancing the generalizability of findings in clinical settings.