{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Investigating the association of anxiety disorders with heart rate variability measured using a wearable device.
{Author}: Tomasi J;Zai CC;Zai G;Herbert D;Richter MA;Mohiuddin AG;Tiwari AK;Kennedy JL;
{Journal}: J Affect Disord
{Volume}: 351
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Apr 15
{Factor}: 6.533
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.137
{Abstract}: BACKGROUND: Reduced vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV) has been associated with anxiety disorders (AD). The aim of this study was to use a wearable device and remote study design to re-evaluate the association of HRV with ADs, anxiety-related traits, and confounders.
METHODS: 240 individuals (AD = 120, healthy controls = 120) completed an at-home assessment of their short-term resting vagally-mediated HRV using a wristband, monitored over videoconference. Following quality control, analyses were performed investigating differences in HRV between individuals with AD (n = 119) and healthy controls (n = 116), associations of HRV with anxiety-related traits and confounders, and antidepressants effects on HRV in patients, including analyses stratified by ancestry (i.e., European, East Asian, African).
RESULTS: Among the confounders investigated, only age had a significant association with HRV. Patients with an AD had significantly lower vagally-mediated HRV than healthy controls in the European subsample, with a trend of significance in the whole sample. HRV was significantly associated with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) but not with antidepressant use in the European subsample.
CONCLUSIONS: The study measures occurred in a non-standardized at-home setting, and the three ancestry group sample sizes were unequal.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates reduced vagally-mediated HRV among patients with ADs compared to healthy controls. Results also point to low HRV being related to more physical anxiety symptoms (measured via HAM-A), suggesting a possible anxiety subtype. Overall, this study highlights the feasibility of using wearables for patients and encourages exploration of the biological and clinical utility of HRV as a risk factor for ADs.