Abstract
In this study, we examined the efficacy of heart rate variability (HRV)-biofeedback on stress and stress-related mental health problems in women. Furthermore, we examined whether the efficacy differed between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Fifty women (20 pregnant, 30 non-pregnant; mean age 31.6, SD = 5.9) were randomized into an intervention (n = 29) or a waitlist condition (n = 21). All participants completed questionnaires on stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep, and psychological well-being on three occasions with 6-week intervals. Women in the intervention condition received HRV-biofeedback training between assessment 1 and 2, and women in the waitlist condition received the intervention between assessment 2 and 3. The intervention consisted of a 5-week HRV-biofeedback training program with weekly 60–90 min. sessions and daily exercises at home. Results indicated a statistically significant beneficial effect of HRV-biofeedback on psychological well-being for all women, and an additional statistically significant beneficial effect on anxiety complaints for pregnant women. No significant effect was found for the other stress-related complaints. These findings support the use of HRV-biofeedback as a stress-reducing technique among women reporting stress and related complaints in clinical practice to improve their well-being. Furthermore, it supports the use of this technique for reducing anxiety during pregnancy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1051 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-15 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Mar 2019 |
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Bibliographical note
Published [online]: 23 March 2019Keywords
- Anxiety
- Depression
- HRV-biofeedback
- Psychological well-being
- Sleep
- Stress
Cite this
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The effect of heart rate variability biofeedback training on mental health of pregnant and non-pregnant women : A randomized controlled trial. / van der Zwan, Judith Esi; Huizink, Anja C.; Lehrer, Paul M.; Koot, Hans M.; de Vente, Wieke.
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 16, No. 6, 1051, 02.03.2019, p. 1-15.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of heart rate variability biofeedback training on mental health of pregnant and non-pregnant women
T2 - A randomized controlled trial
AU - van der Zwan, Judith Esi
AU - Huizink, Anja C.
AU - Lehrer, Paul M.
AU - Koot, Hans M.
AU - de Vente, Wieke
N1 - Published [online]: 23 March 2019
PY - 2019/3/2
Y1 - 2019/3/2
N2 - In this study, we examined the efficacy of heart rate variability (HRV)-biofeedback on stress and stress-related mental health problems in women. Furthermore, we examined whether the efficacy differed between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Fifty women (20 pregnant, 30 non-pregnant; mean age 31.6, SD = 5.9) were randomized into an intervention (n = 29) or a waitlist condition (n = 21). All participants completed questionnaires on stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep, and psychological well-being on three occasions with 6-week intervals. Women in the intervention condition received HRV-biofeedback training between assessment 1 and 2, and women in the waitlist condition received the intervention between assessment 2 and 3. The intervention consisted of a 5-week HRV-biofeedback training program with weekly 60–90 min. sessions and daily exercises at home. Results indicated a statistically significant beneficial effect of HRV-biofeedback on psychological well-being for all women, and an additional statistically significant beneficial effect on anxiety complaints for pregnant women. No significant effect was found for the other stress-related complaints. These findings support the use of HRV-biofeedback as a stress-reducing technique among women reporting stress and related complaints in clinical practice to improve their well-being. Furthermore, it supports the use of this technique for reducing anxiety during pregnancy.
AB - In this study, we examined the efficacy of heart rate variability (HRV)-biofeedback on stress and stress-related mental health problems in women. Furthermore, we examined whether the efficacy differed between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Fifty women (20 pregnant, 30 non-pregnant; mean age 31.6, SD = 5.9) were randomized into an intervention (n = 29) or a waitlist condition (n = 21). All participants completed questionnaires on stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep, and psychological well-being on three occasions with 6-week intervals. Women in the intervention condition received HRV-biofeedback training between assessment 1 and 2, and women in the waitlist condition received the intervention between assessment 2 and 3. The intervention consisted of a 5-week HRV-biofeedback training program with weekly 60–90 min. sessions and daily exercises at home. Results indicated a statistically significant beneficial effect of HRV-biofeedback on psychological well-being for all women, and an additional statistically significant beneficial effect on anxiety complaints for pregnant women. No significant effect was found for the other stress-related complaints. These findings support the use of HRV-biofeedback as a stress-reducing technique among women reporting stress and related complaints in clinical practice to improve their well-being. Furthermore, it supports the use of this technique for reducing anxiety during pregnancy.
KW - Anxiety
KW - Depression
KW - HRV-biofeedback
KW - Psychological well-being
KW - Sleep
KW - Stress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063712032&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85063712032&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph16061051
DO - 10.3390/ijerph16061051
M3 - Article
VL - 16
SP - 1
EP - 15
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
SN - 1660-4601
IS - 6
M1 - 1051
ER -