High-frequency Heart Rate Variability Research Articles

Mind Your Heart-II: Protocol for a behavioral randomized controlled trial of mindfulness training to promote self-care in patients with comorbid heart failure and cognitive impairment

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) self-care is a robust predictor of prognosis in HF patients. Cognitive impairment is a common comorbidity in HF patients and constitutes a major challenge to HF self-care. Mindfulness training (MT) has been shown to improve cognitive function and interoception, two components essential to promoting effective HF self-care. ObjectivesThe aims of the Mind Your Heart-II (MYH-II) study are to investigate the effects of MT on HF self-care via changes in cognitive function and interoception in patients with comorbid HF and cognitive impairment, and to study the process by which MT can improve cognitive function via vagal control. We hypothesize that MT will improve cognitive function, interoception, and vagal control, resulting in enhanced HF self-care, compared to control participants. MethodsMYH-II is a mechanistic parallel phase II behavioral randomized controlled trial. We will enroll 176 English or Spanish-speaking patients with comorbid chronic HF and mild cognitive impairment. Participants will be randomized to either: (1) 8-week phone-delivered MT + Enhanced Usual Care (EUC), or (2) EUC alone. Participants will complete baseline, end-of-treatment (3 months), and follow-up (9 months) assessments. The primary outcome is cognitive function (NIH Toolbox Fluid Cognition Composite Score). Additional key outcomes include: interoception (heartbeat tracking task, Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness), HF self-care (Self-Care of Heart Failure Index v7.2), and vagal control (high-frequency heart rate variability). ImplicationsIf study hypotheses are confirmed, phone-based MT may be a key tool for improving HF self-care, and possibly clinical outcomes, in HF patients with comorbid cognitive impairment.

Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Positive Emotion Dysregulation on Risky Behavior Following Idiographic Emotion Inductions.

An experimental paradigm with subjective and objective assessments was used to further explicate the role of positive emotion dysregulation on risky behavior. Participants were 151 community women currently experiencing intimate partner violence and using substances (Mage = 40.81, 43.0% white). Participants were randomly assigned to positive, negative, and neutral idiographic emotion inductions. Subjective (state self-report) and objective (high frequency heart rate variability [hfHRV], skin conductance response, and salivary cortisol) markers of emotion dysregulation were assessed, following which participants completed subjective (state urges for substances) and objective (Balloon Analogue Risk Task) measures of risky behavior. Results showed (a) greater self-reported state emotion dysregulation and lower hfHRV predicted more urges for substances in the positive (versus negative and neutral) emotion induction conditions; and (b) lower hfHRV predicted more behavioral risk-taking propensity in the positive (versus neutral) emotion induction condition. Findings provide additional support for the influence of positive emotion dysregulation on risky behavior.

Habituation of the stress response multiplex to repeated cold pressor exposure.

Humans show remarkable habituation to aversive events as reflected by changes of both subjective report and objective measures of stress. Although much experimental human research focuses on the effects of stress, relatively little is known about the cascade of physiological and neural responses that contribute to stress habituation. The cold pressor test (CPT) is a common method for inducing acute stress in human participants in the laboratory; however, there are gaps in our understanding of the global state changes resulting from this stress-induction technique and how these responses change over multiple exposures. Here, we measure the stress response to repeated CPT exposures using an extensive suite of physiologic measures and state-of-the-art analysis techniques. In two separate sessions on different days, participants underwent five 90 s CPT exposures of both feet and five warm water control exposures, while electrocardiography (ECG), impedance cardiography, continuous blood pressure, pupillometry, scalp electroencephalography (EEG), salivary cortisol and self-reported pain assessments were recorded. A diverse array of adaptive responses are reported that vary in their temporal dynamics within each exposure as well as habituation across repeated exposures. During cold-water exposure there was a cascade of changes across several cardiovascular measures (elevated heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO) and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and reduced left ventricular ejection time (LVET), stroke volume (SV) and high-frequency heart rate variability (HF)). Increased pupil dilation was observed, as was increased power in low-frequency bands (delta and theta) across frontal EEG electrode sites. Several cardiovascular measures also habituated over repeated cold-water exposures (HR, MAP, CO, SV, LVET) as did pupil dilation and alpha frequency activity across the scalp. Anticipation of cold water induced stress effects in the time-period immediately prior to exposure, indexed by increased pupil size and cortical disinhibition in the alpha and beta frequency bands across central scalp sites. These results provide comprehensive insight into the evolution of a diverse array of stress responses to an acute noxious stressor, and how these responses adaptively contribute to stress habituation.

The autonomic and nociceptive response to acute exercise is impaired in people with knee osteoarthritis

ObjectivesAn acute bout of exercise typically leads to short term exercise induced hypoalgesia (EIH), but this response is more variable in many chronic pain populations, including knee osteoarthritis (OA) and fibromyalgia (FM). There is evidence of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in some chronic pain populations that may contribute to impaired EIH, but this has not been investigated in people with knee OA. The aim of this study was to assess the acute effects of isometric exercise on the nociceptive and autonomic nervous systems in people with knee OA and FM, compared to pain-free controls. MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken with 14 people with knee OA, 13 people with FM, and 15 pain free controls. Across two experimental sessions, baseline recordings and the response of the nociceptive and autonomic nervous systems to a 5-min submaximal isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscle was assessed. The nociceptive system was assessed using pressure pain thresholds at the knee and forearm. The ANS was assessed using high frequency heart rate variability, cardiac pre-ejection period, and electrodermal activity. Outcome measures were obtained before and during (ANS) or immediately after (nociceptive) the acute bout of exercise. ResultsSubmaximal isometric exercise led to EIH in the control group. EIH was absent in both chronic pain groups. Both chronic pain groups showed lower vagal activity at rest. Furthermore, people with knee OA demonstrated reduced vagal withdrawal in response to acute isometric exercise compared to controls. Sympathetic reactivity was similar across groups. DiscussionThe findings of reduced tonic vagal activity and reduced autonomic modulation in response to isometric exercise raise the potential of a blunted ability to adapt to acute exercise stress and modulate nociception in people with knee OA. The impairment of EIH in knee OA may, in part, be due to ANS dysfunction.

Changes in the Circadian Rhythm of High-Frequency Heart Rate Variability Associated With Depression.

Heart rate variability (HRV) extracted from electrocardiogram measured for a short period during a resting state is clinically used as a bio-signal reflecting the emotional state. However, as interest in wearable devices increases, greater attention is being paid to HRV extracted from long-term electrocardiogram, which may contain additional clinical information. The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of HRV parameters extracted through long-term electrocardiogram and explore the differences between participants with and without depression and anxiety symptoms. Long-term electrocardiogram was acquired from 354 adults with no psychiatric history who underwent Holter monitoring. Evening and nighttime HRV and the ratio of nighttime-to-evening HRV were compared between 127 participants with depressive symptoms and 227 participants without depressive symptoms. Comparisons were also made between participants with and without anxiety symptoms. Absolute values of HRV parameters did not differ between groups based on the presence of depressive or anxiety symptoms. Overall, HRV parameters increased at nighttime compared to evening. Participants with depressive symptoms showed a significantly higher nighttime-to-evening ratio of high-frequency HRV than participants without depressive symptoms. The nighttime-to-evening ratio of HRV parameters did not show a significant difference depending on the presence of anxiety symptoms. HRV extracted through long-term electrocardiogram showed circadian rhythm. Depression may be associated with changes in the circadian rhythm of parasympathetic tone.

Sexual dimorphism in relationships between of plasma uric acid and some psycho-neuro-endocrine parameters

Background. Earlier we found that effects of plasma nitrogenous metabolites as urea, creatinine, and bilirubin on neuro-endocrine parameters, as well as anxiety, are significantly different in men and women of different ages. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationships between the plasma uric acid level and some psycho-neuro-endocrine parameters in the same cohort. Materials and Methods. The object of observation were almost healthy volunteers: 31 males (24÷69 y) and 30 females, from among them 18 postmenopausal (48÷76 y) and 12 of reproductive age (30÷45 y). In basal conditions we determined plasma levels of uric acid and adaptation hormones, estimated the severity of the trait and reactive anxiety, recorded the ongoing HRV and EEG. After 4 or 7 days, repeated testing was performed. Results. By uric acid regression models with stepwise exclusion, it was found that in men plasma uric acid downregulates the PSD of β-rhythm in P4 and δ-rhythm in others 4 loci, but upregulates the Asymmetry of δ-rhythm, variability of α-rhythm, PSD of θ-rhythm in P3 and O1 loci, Entropy of EEG in T4 as well as Testosterone plasma level. The measure of determination is 54,5%. In postmenopausal women, uricemia downregulates the Amplitude of β-rhythm and its PSD in 8 loci as well as sympathetic tone, but upregulates the PSD of HF and VLF bands HRV, Testosterone plasma level, PSD of θ-rhythm in F3 and O2 loci as well as the Laterality of δ-rhythm. The degree of determination of neuro-endocrine parameters is 94,4%. In women of reproductive age uricemia upregulates the Asymmetry and Amplitude of β-rhythm and its PSD in 6 loci, the Amplitude and Laterality of θ-rhythm and its PSD in F8 locus, as well as the PSD of α-rhythm in F8 locus. The degree of positive determination of EEGs parameters is 95,5%. Conclusion. Plasma uric acid has a modulating effect on neuro-endocrine parameters, but this effect is significantly different in men and women of different ages, which is due, apparently, to the influence of sex hormones on the expression of adenosine receptors in neurons.

Autonomic measures identify stress, pain, and instability associated with retinopathy of prematurity ophthalmologic examinations.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) ophthalmologic examinations cause stress and pain. Infants' stress and pain can be measured non-invasively using skin conductance (SC) and high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), reflecting sympathetic-mediated sweating and parasympathetic activity, respectively. To test the utility of SC to detect sympathetic activation during ROP examination, and the contribution of HF-HRV to predict stability post-examination. In this prospective, single center study, we measured SC continuously pre-, during, and post-examination, and HRV at 24 h pre-ROP examination. Clinical data included stability [apneas, bradycardias, and desaturations (A/B/Ds)], and interventions post-examination. SC increased 56% above baseline during ROP examination (p = 0.001) and remained elevated post-examination (p = 0.02). Post-hoc analysis showed higher illness acuity, represented by need for respiratory support, was associated with lower HF-HRV at 24 h pre-ROP examination (p = 0.001). Linear regression indicated lower HF-HRV at 24 h pre-examination contributed to the need for higher intervention (i.e., stimulation to breathe, oxygen support) particularly among infants with higher illness acuity [F(1, 15) = 5.05, p = 0.04; β = -1.33, p = 0.04]. ROP examination induced a 2-fold increase in sympathetic activation which remained above baseline in recovery. Also, we propose that the low parasympathetic tone associated with autonomic imbalance contributes to instability and need for higher intervention to assure stabilization with A/B/D events. Our findings provide insight into the underestimation of adverse events associated with ROP examination and identification of infants who may be more vulnerable to potential sequelae following ROP examinations.

Abstract 11895: Decreased Heart Rate Variability Associated With Hopelessness in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease

Hopelessness, a negative outlook and sense of helplessness toward the future, is present in 27-52% of patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Physiologic dynamics of hopelessness in patients with IHD are largely unknown. Purpose : To examine how stress adaptation, measured by high frequency (HF) heart rate variability (HRV), following an IHD event may be associated with hopelessness. Subgroup differences focusing on characteristics known to be associated with hopelessness and/or HRV will also be examined (i.e., IHD event, marital status, sex). Hypothesis : Decreased HF HRV will be associated with greater levels of hopelessness. Methods : Participants were enrolled while hospitalized for an IHD event after being identified as appropriate for HRV analysis (n=69). Two weeks after hospital discharge, participants wore a Polar H7 heart rate monitor for 10 minutes while supine for HRV data collection. A demographic questionnaire and State-Trait Hopelessness Scale were then completed. From the 10-minutes of HRV data, a 5-minute HRV segment with the least amount of artifact (<5%) was used for analysis. HRV data was log transformed to account for non-normality. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between HRV and state hopelessness. Results : There was a moderate negative correlation between HF HRV and state hopelessness (r= -0.35, p=0.004). This remained significant in multivariable regression models when controlling for history of depression and factors known to influence HRV (i.e., time of day, age, and smoking status). No sex differences (Cohen’s d=-0.04, p=0.78) were observed for HF HRV, but persons who underwent bypass surgery had lower HF compared to those that did not (Cohen’s d=0.63, p=0.04). Due to high correlation with HF and root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (rMSSD) and SD1 (r=0.85), patterns of association with hopelessness and those variables were similar throughout. Conclusion : Decreased HF was moderately correlated with increased state hopelessness following an IHD event. Assessing HRV in patients following an IHD event could provide promising evidence of a biomarker to assist in identifying patients at risk for hopelessness.

Psychological Inflexibility and HF-HRV reactivity to laboratory stressors

Psychological Inflexibility (PI) is a key component of the Unified Flexibility and Mindfulness Model. Higher levels of psychological Inflexibility have been associated with poorer wellbeing. High Frequency Heart Rate Variability (HF-HRV) is a reliable and valid index of vagal activation and wellbeing. The association between Psychological Inflexibility and HF-HRV has been examined in the context of laboratory-induced stressors that evoke different patterns of cardiovascular activation. The present sample included 81 US undergraduate students comprised of 44 females and 37 males (4 did not identify their gender) with a mean age of 19.9 (SD = 2.79) Participants were assigned to view a 3-min video that elicited an orienting response and complete a 3-min math task that elicited a defensive response. The order of stimulus exposure was counterbalanced. Psychological Inflexibility was measured using subscales from the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire using the Unified Flexibility and Mindfulness Model as a guide for scoring. Higher Psychological Inflexibility participants, relative to lower Psychological Inflexibility participants, had a significantly smaller increase in HF-HRV during the orienting stressor indicating less vagal activation. Higher Psychological Inflexibility participants also had a larger decrease in HF-HRV in response to the defensive stressor indicating greater vagal withdrawal. These results shed light on the interactions between Psychological Inflexibility, HF-HRV reactivity to laboratory stressors.

Associations of social processing abilities with psychosocial stress sensitivity

Through the long-term activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, chronic psychosocial stress can compromise mental and bodily health. Psychosocial stress is determined by the perception of social interactions as ego-threatening, and thus strongly influenced by individual social processing capacities. In the current study, we investigated whether three key components of social processing are linked to how individuals respond to the experience of acute psychosocial stress exposure. Empathy, compassion, and Theory of Mind (ToM) were assessed using a state-of-the-art paradigm, the EmpaToM. Participants (N = 118) also underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a standardized psychosocial laboratory stress test. Stress responses were measured in terms of salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase, heart-rate, high-frequency heart-rate variability (HF-HRV), and subjective stress experience. ToM performance correlated with different aspects of the acute psychosocial stress response. More specifically, higher levels of ToM were linked to increased alpha-amylase and reduced HF-HRV sensitivity to stress. Empathy and compassion levels had no influence on stress sensitivity. We conclude that ToM performance has a stable albeit contradictory association with acute psychosocial stress, while empathy and compassion tendencies appear to be largely unrelated. Overall, the relationship between EmpaToM-derived empathy, compassion, and ToM characteristics with stress sensitivity in the TSST is relatively weak.

Association between opioid use disorder and blunted heart rate variability among opioid-treated chronic pain patients.

Given the severity of the ongoing opioid epidemic, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of risk for development and maintenance of opioid use disorder (OUD). The aim of the current large-scale psychophysiological investigation was to test whether patients with OUD had lower resting-state high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) than those without OUD, controlling for sociodemographic and clinical confounds. Additionally, we tested whether HF-HRV was associated with opioid craving in this population. Participants in this cross-sectional study were 490 chronic pain patients (50.4% female) treated with long-term opioid therapy. OUD diagnosis was determined by psychiatric interview. HF-HRV was measured at resting baseline. We computed the association between OUD and resting-state HF-HRV, controlling for age, gender, race, pain severity, emotional distress and opioid dose. Opioid craving was measured with visual analogue scales to assess whether HF-HRV was associated with craving. Results showed that resting HF-HRV was significantly lower for patients with OUD than for those without OUD (p < 0.001, d = 0.36), indicating deficits in autonomic flexibility. OUD diagnosis (p = 0.002) and OUD severity (p = 0.03) were associated with lower HF-HRV in regression models accounting for a range of confounders. Additionally, lower HF-HRV was significantly (but weakly) correlated with heightened opioid craving (r = -0.166, p < 0.001). Overall, findings suggest that resting-state HF-HRV may serve as a valid biomarker of addiction among people on long-term opioid therapy.

PARASYMPATHATIC PREDOMINANCE IS ASSOCIATED WITH POSTEXERCISE HYPOTENSION BEFORE AND AFTER TRAINING AMONG ADULTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Postexercise hypotension (PEH) is the immediate reduction in blood pressure (BP) after an acute exercise persisting for 24 hr. We have suggestive evidence autonomic activity as measured by heart rate variability (HRV) may influence PEH that requires confirmation. PURPOSE:To better establish the relationship between PEH and HRV before and after aerobic training among adults with hypertension. METHODS: Participants completed a moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic training program for 40-50 min/session, 3 d/wk for 12 wk. Before and after training, they performed a peak graded exercise stress test (GEST) and non-exercise control (CONTROL) session leaving the laboratory attached to an ambulatory BP monitor for 19 hr. HRV was measured in the supine position for 5 min using a 12-lead electrocardiogram prior to CONTROL. RESULTS: Participants were middle-aged (52.1 ± 11.7 yr) men (n = 9) and women (n = 9) with hypertension (131.7 ± 9.8 mmHg/85.9 ± 8.5 mmHg) and obesity (body mass index [BMI] 30.0 ± 3.7 kg.m-2). Before training, ambulatory systolic BP (ASBP) decreased 3.2 ± 2.1 mmHg (p = 0.016), and diastolic ABP (ADBP) decreased 2.5 ± 1.5 mmHg (p = 0.015) from baseline during the day following GEST versus CONTROL. After training, ASBP tended to decrease 3.5 ± 2.2 mmHg (p = 0.055), and ADBP decreased 1.7 ± 2.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) from baseline during the day following GEST versus CONTROL. Before training, HRV high frequency (HFms2) (β = 0.441), age (β = -0.568), and resting SBP (β = -0.504) accounted for 66.8% of the variance in ASBP (p < 0.001), whereas the low frequency (LF)/HF ratio (β = -0.516) and resting DBP (β = -0.277) accounted for 35.7% of the variance in ADBP during the day (p = 0.037). After training, the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) (β = 0.556), age (β = -0.506), and resting SBP (β = -0.259) accounted for 60.7% of the variance in ASBP (p = 0.004), whereas SDNN (β = 0.236) and resting DBP (β = -0.785) accounted for 58.5% of the variance in ADBP during the day (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with hypertension and parasympathetic predominance, as reflected by higher SDNN and HFms2 and lower LF/HF at rest, elicited PEH to a greater extent independent of training status compared to adults with sympathetic predominance. Our results highlight resting autonomic activity is an important determinant of PEH that should be explored further.

The Impact Of Varying Blood Flow Restriction Cuff Size On Cardiac Autonomic Modulation In Healthy Males

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is commonly utilized to stimulate skeletal muscle hypertrophy and assist in strength gains in various populations, ranging from healthy, athletic, clinical, and elderly populations. BFR has the potential to influence the sympathetic and parasympathetic interaction by stimulating acute changes in the vascular endothelium, thereby altering cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM). Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive way to assess changes in CAM. What is unknown is the influence BFR may have on CAM due to the changes in venous and arterial pressure. PURPOSE: To determine if different BFR cuff sizes and materials alter CAM when assessed in healthy young men. METHODS: Twenty healthy males (n = 20 males, Age 25 ± 5 years, HR 66 + 11.3 bpm, SBP 125.1 + 13.4 mmHg, DBP 75.1 + 12.5 mmHg) completed a randomized, counter-balanced, cross-over design that utilized a widely-employed wide rigid (WR) cuff, along with the largest (NE) and manufacturer recommended sizes (NER) of a novel narrow-elastic cuff. HRV was measured in the supine position at baseline and amidst all three BFR cuffs at 80% arterial occlusion pressure using an elastic belt and Bluetooth monitor (Polar H7). CardioMood software was used to process HRV variables high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), total power (TP) was assessed for frequency domain, and standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN) and the square root of the mean of the squares of successive R-R interval differences (RMSSD) for the time domain. The data were analyzed with SPSS using a repeated-measures ANOVA to examine differences between dependent variables, including selected time and frequency domain HRV indices. RESULTS: HRV frequency domain variables LF, HF, LF/HF, and TP, and time domain, SDNN, and RMSSD variables were not significantly altered with WR, NE, or NER cuff protocols when compared to baseline. There were no significant differences between cuff protocols. CONCLUSION: There were no changes in CAM with BFR cuff protocols in healthy young men. The lack of changes indicates that changes in the venous and arterial pressure ratio due to BFR were not great enough to offset the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback to Treat Anxiety in Young People With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings From a Home-Based Pilot Study.

BackgroundPeople with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience high levels of anxiety. Despite this, many clinical settings do not provide specialist ASD mental health services, and demand for professional support frequently outstrips supply. Across many sectors of health, investigators have explored digital health solutions to mitigate demand and extend the reach of professional practice beyond traditional clinical settings.ObjectiveThis critical appraisal and pilot feasibility study examines heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback as an approach to help young people with ASD to manage anxiety symptoms outside of formal settings. The aim is to explore the use of portable biofeedback devices to manage anxiety, while also highlighting the risks and benefits of this approach with this population.MethodsWe assessed the feasibility of using home-based HRV biofeedback for self-management of anxiety in young people with ASD. We adopted coproduction, involving people with ASD, to facilitate development of the study design. Next, a separate pilot with 20 participants with ASD (n=16, 80% male participants and n=4, 20% female participants, aged 13-24 years; IQ>70) assessed adoption and acceptability of HRV biofeedback devices for home use over a 12-week period. Data were collected from both carers and participants through questionnaires and interviews; participants also provided single-lead electrocardiogram recordings as well as daily reports through smartphone on adoption and use of their device.ResultsPre-post participant questionnaires indicated a significant reduction in anxiety in children (t6=2.55; P=.04; Cohen d=0.99) as well as adults (t7=3.95; P=.006; Cohen d=0.54). Participant age was significantly negatively correlated with all HRV variables at baseline, namely high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV: P=.02), the root mean square of successive differences in normal heartbeat contractions (RMSSD: P=.02) and the variability of normal-to-normal interbeat intervals (SDNN: P=.04). At follow-up, only SDNN was significantly negatively correlated with age (P=.05). Levels of ASD symptoms were positively correlated with heart rate both before (P=.04) and after the intervention (P=.01). The majority (311/474, 65.6%) of reports from participants indicated that the devices helped when used. Difficulties with the use of some devices and problems with home testing of HRV were noted. These initial findings are discussed within the context of the strengths and challenges of remotely delivering a biofeedback intervention for people with ASD.ConclusionsHRV biofeedback devices have shown promise in this pilot study. There is now a need for larger evaluation of biofeedback to determine which delivery methods achieve the greatest effect for people with ASD.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04955093; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04955093

Is This Science Video Popular? Let Us See How the Audience Reacts!

The popularity of science videos is critical for the dissemination of knowledge, and predicting the popularity of a video is a hot topic among researchers. The existing research is mainly based on the videos’ content (e.g., theme) or video-related external information (e.g., comments). However, videos with different popularity can bring different learning states and viewing experiences (emotional awakening, flow experiences). In this paper, we utilize participants’ learning states when they watch videos to predict the popularity of the videos, depending on two modal indicators, i.e., contact physiological indicators recorded by a Biopac MP150 polygraph and noncontact gesture indices recorded by a Kinect V2 body camera which can obtain data of head position. We propose two classification prediction models with each modality of indicator and filter out the indicators that make sense for modeling. Results show that the meaningful indicators in the physiological modality through stepwise logistic regression are the standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals (SDNN) and high-frequency heart rate variability (HF). We find that participants had higher SDNN and lower HF when watching science video with high popularity (compared with low popularity one), and the accuracy rate of classification model is 81.6%. In a same way, the selected meaningful indicators in the gesture aspect are the maximum, the standard deviation (SD) of distance between the participants’ head and Kinect. We find that the maximum and SD of head distance are smaller when participants studied highly popular science videos (contrary to the less popular videos) and the accuracy rate is 73.7%. Combining the four indicators for modeling by the direct input method, the accuracy rate is 78.9%, and the SD of head distance is probably the most important indicator for predicting popularity of videos. These results indicate that it is feasible to predict video popularity by learning states.

Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Resting-State High-Frequency Heart Rate Variability in Binge-Eating Disorder

Abstract. Binge-eating disorder (BED) is associated with a greater risk for cardiac problems and co-occurring health conditions. Resting-state measures of high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), which is a physiological proxy of self-regulatory neural functioning, may aid understanding of health risks. We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the literature on HF-HRV in individuals with BED and without BED. Six studies were reviewed in the qualitative synthesis, and five studies assessing HRV in individuals with BED ( n = 153) and without BED ( n = 124) were included in the meta-analysis. A non-significant effect size (Hedges’ g = .08, SE = 0.36, 95% CI [−0.62, 0.78]; z = 0.23, p = .82) was found, suggesting no difference in HF-HRV between groups. Age, BMI, and BMI-matched control status were not significant covariates. Synthesizing the five studies with available data, we found no difference in resting-state HF-HRV between individuals with and without BED. There was high heterogeneity in the sample, suggesting potential moderators. We discuss potential mechanisms, methodological and demographic confounds, and future directions for study.

Mechanisms for blood pressure reduction following isometric exercise training: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Isometric exercise training (IET) is established as an effective antihypertensive intervention. Despite this, the physiological mechanisms driving blood pressure (BP) reductions following IET are not well understood. Therefore, we aimed to perform the first meta-analysis of the mechanistic changes measured following IET. PubMed, Cochrane library and SPORTDiscus were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials published between January 2000 and December 2021 reporting the effects of IET on resting BP and at least one secondary mechanistic parameter following a short-term intervention (2-12 weeks). Eighteen studies with a pooled sample size of 628 participants were included in the final analysis. IET produced significant reductions in resting systolic and diastolic BP of 9.35 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI] = -7.80 to -10.89, P < 0.001) and 4.30 mmHg (CI = -3.01 to -5.60, P < 0.001), respectively. Mechanistically, IET produced a statistically significant reduction in resting heart rate (mean difference [MD]: -1.55 bpm, CI = -0.14 to -2.96, P = 0.031) and a significant increase in stroke volume (MD: 6.35 ml, CI = 0.35 to 12.60, P = 0.038), with no significant change in cardiac output. Conversely, total peripheral resistance (TPR) significantly decreased following IET (MD: -100.38 dyne s -1 cm 5 , CI = -14.16 to -186.61, P = 0.023), with significant improvements in the low frequency to high frequency heart rate variability ratio (MD: -0.41, CI = -0.09 to -0.73, P = 0.013) and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (MD: 7.43 ms/mmHg, P < 0.001). This work demonstrates that a reduction in TPR, potentially mediated through enhanced autonomic vasomotor control, is primarily responsible for BP reductions following IET. Furthermore, this novel analysis suggests wall squat interventions to be the most effective IET mode, with clinically relevant differences in BP reductions compared to handgrip and leg extension IET; although future direct comparative research is required.

Civilian moral injury: associations with trauma type and high-frequency heart rate variability in two trauma-exposed community-based samples.

Moral injury exposure (MIE) and distress (MID) may indirectly affect the relationship between trauma exposure and alterations in autonomic regulation [assessed via high-frequency heart rate variability (hfHRV)] in civilians, but this has not been tested in prior research. We conducted two exploratory studies to examine trauma types' associations with MIE and MID among civilian medical patients (Study 1) and explore how these facets may indirectly affect the relationship between trauma type and hfHRV among civilians seeking mental health services (Study 2). Participants recruited from a public hospital and/or community advertisements (Study 1, n = 72, 87.5% Black, 83.3% women; Study 2, n = 46, 71.7% Black, 97.8% women) completed measures assessing trauma type, MIE, and MID. In Study 1, trauma types that emerged as significant correlates of MIE and MID were entered into separate linear regression analyses. Trauma types identified were included as predictors in indirect effects models with MIE or MID as the mediator and resting hfHRV (assayed via electrocardiography) as the outcome. Childhood sexual abuse emerged as the only significant predictor of MIE, b = 0.38, p < 0.001; childhood sexual abuse, b = 0.26, p < 0.05, and adulthood sexual assault, b = 0.23, p < 0.05 were significant predictors of MID. Participants with greater MIE and MID demonstrated lower hfHRV. Adulthood sexual assault showed an indirect effect on hfHRV through MID, B = -0.10, s.e. = 0.06, 95%CI (-0.232 to -0.005). Moral injury was uniquely associated with sexual violence and lower hfHRV in civilians. Data highlight moral injury as a pathway through which autonomic dysregulation may emerge and its salience for trauma treatment selection.

Associations between affective factors and high-frequency heart rate variability in primary care patients with depression

ObjectiveDepression is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and subgroups of people with depression may be at particularly elevated CVD risk. Lower high-frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV), which reflects diminished parasympathetic activation, is a candidate mechanism underlying the depression-CVD relationship and predicts cardiovascular events. Few studies have examined whether certain depression subgroups – such as those with co-occurring affective factors – exhibit lower HF HRV. The present study sought to assess associations between co-occurring affective factors and HF HRV in people with depression. MethodsUtilizing baseline data from the 216 primary care patients with depression in the eIMPACT trial, we examined cross-sectional associations of depression's co-occurring affective factors (i.e., anxiety symptoms, hostility/anger, and trait positive affect) with HF HRV. HF HRV estimates were derived by spectral analysis from electrocardiographic data obtained during a supine rest period. ResultsIndividual regression models adjusted for demographics and depressive symptoms revealed that anxiety symptoms (standardized regression coefficient β = −0.24, p = .002) were negatively associated with HF HRV; however, hostility/anger (β = 0.02, p = .78) and trait positive affect (β = −0.05, p = .49) were not. In a model further adjusted for hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, current smoking, CVD prevention medication use, and antidepressant medication use, anxiety symptoms remained negatively associated with HF HRV (β = −0.19, p = .02). ConclusionOur findings suggest that, in adults with depression, those with comorbid anxiety symptoms have lower HF HRV than those without. Co-occurring anxiety may indicate a depression subgroup at elevated CVD risk on account of diminished parasympathetic activation.

Severity of childhood maltreatment predicts reaction times and heart rate variability during an emotional working memory task in borderline personality disorder

ABSTRACT Background: Difficulties in emotion regulation are a core symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and often interfere with cognitive functions, such as working memory (WM). Traumatic childhood experiences, including severe maltreatment, can contribute to emotion dysregulation, possibly mediated by changes in high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). However, it is not yet entirely understood if HF-HRV alterations underlie impaired WM during emotional distraction in BPD and if this is related to traumatic childhood experiences and to comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: Our aim was to investigate performance (reaction times, RTs) and HF-HRV during an emotional working memory task (EWMT) in relation to childhood maltreatment severity and comorbid PTSD in BPD. Method: Eighty-one women (n = 28 healthy controls (HC) and n = 53 BPD patients of which n = 18 had comorbid PTSD) performed an adapted Sternberg item recognition WM task with neutral and negative social cues (interpersonal scenes from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), and neutral, fearful, and angry faces) as distractors. Dependent variables were RTs of correct trials and HF-HRV. Childhood maltreatment was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Results: Compared to healthy participants, patients with BPD showed prolonged RTs across all distractor conditions with social cues, regardless of their emotional valence. Patients with BPD, especially those with PTSD, demonstrated reduced HF-HRV both at rest and during EWMT. Severity of childhood maltreatment predicted longer RTs and lower HF-HRV during the EWMT. Conclusions: Findings suggest that adverse childhood experiences accelerate difficulties in shifting attention away from social information and that these are more pronounced in individuals with BPD. Reduced HF-HRV (low parasympathetic-tonus) may be an important psychophysiological mechanism underlying impaired WM in the presence of distracting social cues in patients with BPD, especially in those with comorbid PTSD. HIGHLIGHTS This study provides evidence that childhood maltreatment experiences are associated with hypersensitivity to social information and reduced high-frequency heart rate variability during a working memory task in borderline personality disorder.