Abstract：
Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index of cardiac autonomic function and an objective biomarker for stress and health. Improving HRV through biofeedback has proven effective in reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in veteran populations. Brief protocols involving fewer sessions can better maximize limited clinic resources; however, there is a dearth of knowledge on the number of clinical sessions needed to significantly reduce trauma and depression symptoms. We conducted a series of linear regression models using baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up data from intervention group participants (N = 18) who engaged in a pilot waitlist-controlled study testing the efficacy of a 3-session mobile app-adapted HRV biofeedback intervention for veterans with PTSD. Based on Nunan et al. (Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 33:1407-1417, 2010) short-term norms, we found that pre-intervention RMSSD in the normal range significantly predicted PTSD and depression symptom improvement. Findings suggest the utility of baseline RMSSD as a useful metric for predicting HRV biofeedback treatment outcomes for veterans with PTSD and comorbid depression. Those with below-normal baseline RMSSD may likely need additional sessions or an alternative treatment to show clinically meaningful symptom improvement.
摘要：
心率变异性（HRV）是心脏自主神经功能的指标，是压力和健康的客观生物标志物。通过生物反馈改善HRV已被证明可有效减少退伍军人中创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）和抑郁症的症状。涉及更少的会话的简短协议可以更好地最大化有限的临床资源;然而，人们对显著减少创伤和抑郁症状所需的临床疗程数量缺乏了解。我们使用基线进行了一系列线性回归模型，干预后,和来自干预组参与者(N=18)的随访数据,这些参与者参与了一项试点候补名单对照研究,测试了一项针对PTSD退伍军人的3次移动应用适应HRV生物反馈干预措施的有效性.基于Nunan等人。(起搏与临床电生理学33:1407-1417,2010)短期规范，我们发现干预前RMSSD在正常范围内能显著预测PTSD和抑郁症状改善.研究结果表明，基线RMSSD可作为预测PTSD和共病抑郁症退伍军人HRV生物反馈治疗结果的有用指标。那些基线RMSSD低于正常的人可能需要额外的疗程或替代治疗，以显示有临床意义的症状改善。
