The effects of respiratory sinus arrhythmia biofeedback on heart rate variability and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: a pilot study.
Abstract
Recent studies have found a significant association between PTSD and low heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker of autonomic dysregulation. Research indicates that respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback increases HRV while reducing related pathological symptoms. This controlled pilot study compared RSA biofeedback to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as adjunctive interventions for 38 persons with PTSD symptoms in a residential treatment facility for a substance use disorder. Both groups were assessed at pre-intervention and 4-week post-intervention. Group x time interactions revealed significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms and increases in HRV indices for the RSA group. Both groups significantly reduced PTSD and insomnia symptoms and a statistical trend was observed for reduced substance craving for the RSA group. Increases in HRV were significantly associated with PTSD symptom reduction. Overall, these results provide preliminary support for the efficacy of RSA biofeedback in improving physiological and psychological health for individuals with PTSD.
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Biofeedback approaches aiming to mimic heightened cardiorespiratory synchronization achieved during 0.1 Hz breathing have proven effective in disorders as diverse as asthma, PTSD, and depression.
“These approaches, aiming to mimic the heightened cardiorespiratory synchronization achieved during 0.1 Hz breathing and ranging from wearable sensors and patches to mobile phone applications, have proven effective in disorders as diverse as asthma, PTSD, and depression (Lehrer et al., 2004; Karavidas et al., 2007; Zucker et al., 2009).”
From Hypothesis: Pulmonary Afferent Activity Patterns During Slow, Deep Breathing Contribute to the Neural Induction of Physiological Relaxation (2019) · cites this paper as Zucker et al., 2009
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References 47 · Cited by 335
- Authors
- Zucker, T. L., Samuelson, K. W., Muench, F., Greenberg, M. A., & Gevirtz, R. N.
- Affiliations
- Alliant University (US)
- National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (US)
- VA San Diego Healthcare System (US)
- Corresponding author
- Zucker, Terri L.
- Venue
- Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
- Published
- 2009-04-25
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 135-143
- ISSN
- 0363-3586 (ISSN-L)
- 1090-0586
- 1573-3270
- OpenAlex
- W2041690850
- Cited by
- 335
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 32
- FWCI
- 14.69
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Music Therapy and Health
- Keywords
- heart rate variability, post-traumatic stress disorder, progressive muscle relaxation, autonomic dysfunction, substance use disorders, depressive symptoms, insomnia, drug craving, residential treatment
- MeSH terms
- Acoustic Stimulation, Adolescent, Adult, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Autonomic Nervous System, Biofeedback, Psychology, Depression, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Pilot Projects, Relaxation Therapy, Socioeconomic Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Respiratory Mechanics, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult
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