Evaluation of HRV Biofeedback as a Resilience Building Reserve Component

Abstract

The specific aims of this study are to (1) develop a mobile app for use with the Biofeedback-Assisted Resilient Training (BART) protocol; (2) examine the relationship between baseline heart rate variability (HRV) and resilience, mental health, substance use, stress and physical health measures; (3) examine how much military personnel with mental health symptoms have lower HRVs and resilience measures at baseline and change over time; and (4) find out how having other mental health issues may affect the impact of HRV-BART on resilience, coping, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) scale scores. The study team will recruit 500 Reserve Component service members (RCSMs) through behavioral health providers and inactive duty training activities. RCSMs will be randomized to receive a 1.5-hour group introductory training in either HRV-BART or relaxation breathing alone and be assessed on baseline HRV and mental and physical health questionnaires. To date, we have received all Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals, conducted a pilot test determining optimal data collection devices, developed the software and other programming needed for the study, developed all recruitment materials, and begun data collection and tracking.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1045682

Entities

People

  • Laurel L Hourani

Organizations

  • RTI International

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application Software
  • Biomedical Research
  • Computer Programming
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Heart Rate
  • Improvised Explosive Devices
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Medical Personnel
  • Mental Health
  • Military Facilities
  • Military Personnel
  • Mobile Application Software
  • Psychology
  • Smartphones
  • Students
  • Training

Readers

  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.