Heart Rate Variability and the Efficacy of Biofeedback in Heroin Users with Depressive Symptoms
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
; : 168-176, 2016.
Article
in English
| WPRIM (Western Pacific)
| ID: wpr-25925
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Low heart rate variability (HRV) has been confirmed in heroin users, but the effects of heart-rate-variability-biofeedback in heroin users remain unknown. This study examined (1) correlations between depression and HRV indices; (2) group differences in HRV indices among a heroin-user group, a group with major depressive disorder but no heroin use, and healthy controls; and (3) the effects of heart-rate-variability-biofeedback on depressive symptoms, HRV indices, and respiratory rates within the heroin group.METHODS:
All participants completed a depression questionnaire and underwent electrocardiogram measurements, and group differences in baseline HRV indices were examined. The heroin group underwent electrocardiogram and respiration rate measurements at baseline, during a depressive condition, and during a happiness condition, before and after which they took part in the heart-rate-variability-biofeedback program. The effects of heart-rate-variability-biofeedback on depressive symptoms, HRV indices, and respiration rates were examined.RESULTS:
There was a negative correlation between depression and high frequency of HRV, and a positive correlation between depression and low frequency to high frequency ratio of HRV. The heroin group had a lower overall and high frequency of HRV, and a higher low frequency/high frequency ratio than healthy controls. The heart-rate-variability-biofeedback intervention increased HRV indices and decreased respiratory rates from pre-intervention to post-intervention.CONCLUSION:
Reduced parasympathetic and increased sympathetic activations were found in heroin users. Heart-rate-variability-biofeedback was an effective non-pharmacological intervention to restore autonomic balance.
Full text:
Available
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
/
SDG3 -Target 3.5 Prevention and treatment of consumption of psychoactive substances
Health problem:
Target 3.5: Prevention and treatment of consumption of psychoactive substances
/
Opioid Abuse
Database:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Autonomic Nervous System
/
Biofeedback, Psychology
/
Depression
/
Depressive Disorder, Major
/
Heroin
/
Electrocardiography
/
Respiratory Rate
/
Happiness
/
Heart
/
Heart Rate
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article