Evaluation of HRV Biofeedback as a Resilience-Building Intervention in the Reserve Component
Abstract
The specific aims of this study were to (1) develop a mobile app for use with the (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 whether military personnel with mental health symptoms had lower HRVs and resilience measures at baseline and changed overtime; and (4) investigate whether having other mental health issues affect the impact of HRV-BART on resilience, coping, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) scale scores. 330 Reserve Component service members(RCSMs), veterans, and first responders were randomized to receive a 1-1.5-hour group introductory training in either HRV-BART or relaxation breathing alone and assessed on baseline HRV and mental and physical health questionnaire responses for up to 12 months. Major correlates of HRV were age, gender, medication use, pain.Worse mental health predicted lower-stressor RSA and lower-stress reactivity. Posttraumatic growth and physical health predicted HRV recovery from a stressor task. Resilience was associated with biofeedback.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1097362
Entities
People
- Laurel L Hourani
- Maria Davila
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill