Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND
Autonomic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and psychological distress are associated with poorer prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback (BF) improves autonomic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and psychological distress in other patient populations, but its effect in patients with AIS is still unclear.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of an HRVBF intervention on autonomic function, cognitive impairment, and psychological distress in patients with AIS.


METHOD
In this randomized, controlled, single-blind trial, patients with AIS were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received four HRVBF training sessions. The control group received usual care. Repeated measures of HRV, mini-mental status examination (MMSE), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS) were collected prior to and at 1 and 3 months postintervention.


RESULTS
A total of 35 patients completed the study (19 experimental, 16 control). HRV and HADS significantly improved in the experimental group (p < .001) but not in the control group. Likewise, only the experimental group showed significant improvements in HRV, MMSE, and HADS over time (p < .05).


CONCLUSION
HRVBF is a promising intervention for improving autonomic function, cognitive impairment, and psychological distress in patients with AIS. More studies of HRVBF interventions are needed to further optimize the effects of HRVBF on autonomic, cognitive, and psychological function in patients with AIS.
['Chang|Wan-Ling|WL|', 'Lee|Jiunn-Tay|JT|', 'Li|Chi-Rong|CR|', 'Davis|Amy H T|AHT|', 'Yang|Chia-Chen|CC|', 'Chen|Yu-Ju|YJ|0000-0002-5454-2695']
D000368:Aged D001341:Autonomic Nervous System D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology D002545:Brain Ischemia D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction D005260:Female D006339:Heart Rate D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D016037:Single-Blind Method D020521:Stroke
biofeedback acute ischemic stroke autonomic dysfunction cognitive impairment psychological distress