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Cited by 133Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic ControlNon-Invasive Vital Sign MonitoringVagus Nerve Stimulation Research

A Practical Guide to Resonance Frequency Assessment for Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback

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Shaffer, Fred, Meehan, Zachary M.·2020·Frontiers in Neuroscience
DOI 10.3389/fnins.2020.570400PMC PMC7578229
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Abstract

Heart rate variability (HRV) represents fluctuations in the time intervals between successive heartbeats, which are termed interbeat intervals. HRV is an emergent property of complex cardiac-brain interactions and non-linear autonomic nervous system (ANS) processes. A healthy heart is not a metronome because it exhibits complex non-linear oscillations characterized by mathematical chaos. HRV biofeedback displays both heart rate and frequently, respiration, to individuals who can then adjust their physiology to improve affective, cognitive, and cardiovascular functioning. The central premise of the HRV biofeedback resonance frequency model is that the adult cardiorespiratory system has a fixed resonance frequency. Stimulation at rates near the resonance frequency produces large-amplitude blood pressure oscillations that can increase baroreflex sensitivity over time. The authors explain the rationale for the resonance frequency model and provide detailed instructions on how to monitor and assess the resonance frequency. They caution that patterns of physiological change must be compared across several breathing rates to evaluate candidate resonance frequencies. They describe how to fine-tune the resonance frequency following an initial assessment. Furthermore, the authors critically assess the minimum epochs required to measure key HRV indices, resonance frequency test-retest reliability, and whether rhythmic skeletal muscle tension can replace slow paced breathing in resonance frequency assessment.

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  • The blinding of data analysts for the DURING category is often compromised due to the obvious graphical display of voluntary slow breathing compared to control conditions, depicting typical sinusoidal oscillations.

    “The blinding of data analysts for the DURING category is often compromised due to the obvious graphical display of voluntary slow breathing compared to control conditions, depicting typical sinusoidal oscillations (Shaffer & Meehan, 2020).”

    From Effects of voluntary slow breathing on heart rate and heart rate variability: A systematic review and a meta-analysis (2022) · cites this paper as Shaffer & Meehan, 2020

    The Resonance Frequency Trials section (page not given) shows heart-rate and respiration waveforms during paced breathing and lists a sinusoidal waveform as a trial parameter. The paper does not address whether those displays compromise data-analyst blinding or distinguish slow-breathing trials from control conditions. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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References 85 · Cited by 133

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Authors
Shaffer, F., & Meehan, Z. M.
Affiliations
  • Truman State University (US)
  • University of Delaware (US)
Corresponding author
Shaffer, Fred
ORCID
Meehan, Zachary M.
Venue
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2020-10-08
Volume
14
Pages
570400-570400
ISSN
1662-453X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fnins.2020.570400
PMC
PMC7578229
OpenAlex
W3092637813
Cited by
133
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 15
FWCI
2.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
corrigendum (2020-12-01)
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
Keywords
heart rate variability biofeedback, resonant frequency, autonomic nervous system, baroreflex sensitivity, blood pressure oscillations, RR interval, test-retest reliability, paced breathing, HRV indices

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