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A Randomized Sham-Controlled Study of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in an Older Adult Sample
Whitney D Allen1,2, Leah D Talbert1,3, Anna Wheeler1
1Brigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV biofeedback) may improve stress recovery in older adults. While resting heart rate variability did not change, HRV biofeedback enhanced HRV during stress recovery, but not resting HRV, emotional health, or cognition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV biofeedback) shows promise for improving autonomic regulation and health.
- Efficacy in older adults is unclear despite age-related declines in HRV and associated health risks.
- HRV biofeedback could potentially enhance HRV, emotional function, sleep, and cognition in older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of HRV biofeedback in healthy older adults.
- To assess HRV biofeedback's impact on resting HRV, stress recovery, emotional functioning, sleep, and cognitive performance.
- To compare active HRV biofeedback with a sham-controlled condition.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, sham-controlled trial involving 53 healthy older adults.
- A five-week intervention with pre- and post-testing.
- Assessment of resting HRV, HRV during stress recovery, emotional functioning, sleep, and cognitive performance.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in resting HRV between HRV biofeedback and sham groups.
- The HRV biofeedback group showed increased low-frequency (LF) HRV during stress recovery.
- Both groups reported improved sleep quality and some HRV measures (HF, RMSSD, SDNN), with no significant differences in emotional or cognitive outcomes.
Conclusions:
- HRV biofeedback may enhance HRV during stress recovery in older adults.
- No significant improvements were observed in resting HRV, emotional functioning, or cognitive performance.
- Further research is needed to clarify the specific benefits of HRV biofeedback for older adults.
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