Feasibility Considerations of 24-Hour Heart Rate Variability as a Wellness-Focused Biomarker

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Heart Rate Variability (HRV) monitoring is a valuable non-invasive tool for assessing autonomic nervous system function.
• Implementing 24-hour HRV monitoring in research settings requires careful evaluation of methodology and resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of 24-hour heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring across different daily time periods (morning, mid-day, evening, sleep).
• To assess the institutional resources, procedures, and personnel required for conducting 24-hour HRV studies.
• To identify and address potential challenges and solutions for utilizing 24-hour HRV in research.

Main Methods:

• Six participants wore 24-hour HRV recording devices (DMS myPatch-sl).
• Data collection occurred during normal daily activity, treadmill walking, and paced deep-breathing exercises.
• Participants maintained event diaries to correlate physiological data with daily activities.

Main Results:

• The DMS Holter monitor yielded high-quality 24-hour HRV data, minimally impacting daily activities.
• Specific training for ECG electrode placement and securing the V5 electrode during sleep improved data quality.
• Data loss occurred after water exposure (showering), and participant diaries showed variable usefulness.

Conclusions:

• 24-hour HRV assessment is feasible for research studies at the institution.
• Standardized protocols for electrode application and device protection are recommended for future HRV research.