Abstract
This study investigated the benefits of using a virtual nature environment to administer immersive heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF) based on slow-paced breathing. We compared the virtual reality (VR)-based HRV-BF with a standard implementation in a randomized controlled experiment with 60 healthy employees. After a cognitive stress induction, the participants performed a single-session of HRV-BF before repeating the cognitive stressor task. VR-based versus standard HRV-BF was comparable in terms of biofeedback performance (cardiac coherence and cardiac vagal tone). However, the VR-based implementation buffered perceived stress in the subsequent stressor task, increased relaxation self-efficacy more, reduced mind wandering, helped participants focus on the present moment, and helped preserve attentional resources. Potential long-term effects and generalizability need to be assessed in future research.
Highlights
Heart Rate Variability BiofeedbackIn a healthy heart, the intervals between adjacent heartbeats show certain fluctuations, called heart rate variability (HRV)
We hypothesized that the virtual reality (VR)-based implementation improves relaxation (H1) and relaxation self-efficacy (H2), increases a focus on the present moment (H3a), decreases mind wandering (H3b), helps conserve attentional resources (H4), and improves cardiac coherence (H5a) as well as cardiac vagal tone (H5b)
We investigated the benefits of implementing heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF) in a virtual nature scenario
Summary
Heart Rate Variability BiofeedbackIn a healthy heart, the intervals between adjacent heartbeats (i.e., interbeat intervals) show certain fluctuations, called heart rate variability (HRV). Measures of HRV represent parasympathetic nervous system activity within cardiac regulation [Task Force of The European Society of Cardiology and The North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (Task Force), 1996]. Within the context of stress management, cardiac vagal tone can be considered responsible for cognitive, affective, social, and health-related self-regulatory mechanisms [Task Force of The European Society of Cardiology and The North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (Task Force), 1996; Berntson et al, 1997; Porges, 2007; Thayer et al, 2009; Laborde et al, 2017, 2018]. Low HRV is associated with an increased overall mortality risk (Thayer and Lane, 2007; Thayer et al, 2010)
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