Heart Rate Variability Variables Research Articles

Effect of FTO Gene polymorphism on anthropometric, hemodynamic, and autonomic variables in adolescents

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the influence of physical activity levels and the rs9939609 polymorphism (FTO gene) on anthropometric, hemodynamic, and cardiac autonomic variables in public school students. Methods: A total of 288 students (aged 11 to 18, both sexes) from public schools in São Luís, Maranhão, were divided into four groups: sedentary AA+AT (AA+AT sed), active AA+AT (AA+AT activ), sedentary TT (TT sed), and active TT (TT activ). Evaluations included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), buccal cells collection for DNA extraction, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure measurements, and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. A chi-square test for allelic associations was applied a 5% significance level. Results: No significant differences were observed in DBP or heart rate (HR). The active groups (AA+AT activ and TT activ) exhibited reductions in weight and METs/min/week compared to their respective sedentary groups (P<0.05). The TT activ group also demonstrated reductions in SBP and BMI compared to the TT sed group (P<0.05). The TT activ group had higher HRV in the RR time domain (ms) compared to the TT sed group (P<0.05), though no significant differences were found in other HRV variables. Conclusions: The FTO gene polymorphism influences cardiac autonomic modulation, while physical activity levels affect anthropometric variables.

Heart rate variability analysis for the prediction of pre-arousal during propofol-remifentanil general anaesthesia: A feasibility study.

Accidental awareness during general anaesthesia is a major complication. Despite the routine use of continuous electroencephalographic monitoring, accidental awareness during general anaesthesia remains relatively frequent and constitutes a significant additional cost. The prediction of patients' arousal during general anaesthesia could help preventing accidental awareness and some researchers have suggested that heart rate variability (HRV) analysis contains valuable information about the patient arousal during general anaesthesia. We conducted pilot study to investigate HRV ability to detect patient arousal. RR series and the Bispectral IndexTM (BISTM) were recorded during general anaesthesia. The pre-arousal period T0 was defined as the time at which the BISTM exceeded 60 at the end of surgery. HRV parameters were computed over several time periods before and after T0 and classified as "BISTM<60" or "BISTM≥60". A multivariate logistic regression model and a classification and regression tree algorithm were used to evaluate the HRV variables' ability to detect "BISTM≥60". All the models gave high specificity but poor sensitivity. Excluding T0 from the classification increased the sensitivity for all the models and gave AUCROC>0.7. In conclusion, we found that HRV analysis provided encouraging results to predict arousal at the end of general anaesthesia.

The Effects of a Single Vagus Nerve's Neurodynamics on Heart Rate Variability in Chronic Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The modulation of the autonomic nervous system's activity, particularly increasing its parasympathetic tone, is of significant interest in clinical physiotherapy due to its potential benefits for stress-related conditions and recovery processes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the addition of neurodynamics in enhancing parasympathetic activation in subjects with chronic stress. A clinical trial randomly assigned participants to a group with neurodynamics (6 bpm breathing protocol + manual therapy + neurodynamic technique) or a group without neurodynamics (6 bpm breathing protocol + manual therapy only). Metrics of heart rate variability (HRV), including the Mean Heart Rate (Mean HR), standard deviation of intervals between consecutive heartbeats (SDNN), Heart Rate Difference (Diff. HR), Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD), number of intervals differing by more than 50 ms (NN50), percentage of consecutive NN intervals that differed by more than 50 ms (pNN50), and the high-frequency component measured in standardized units (HF), were assessed before, during, and after the intervention. During the intervention, the group with neurodynamics showed significant changes in all variables except in the pNN50 and HF while the group without neurodynamics only showed improvements in the Mean HR, SDNN, and RMSSD. In the post-intervention phase, the group with neurodynamics maintained an increase in HRV while the group without neurodynamics experienced a decrease, suggesting an increase in sympathetic activity. Vagal nerve neurodynamics appear to represent an effective method for enhancing parasympathetic activation in patients with chronic stress. The results highlight the importance of a more comprehensive analysis of HRV variables in order to obtain a correct picture of the impact of interventions on the complex and multifaceted functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

Autonomic rehabilitation: Vagal and sympathetic impacts of modified occipitomastoid suture V-spread.

Autonomic rehabilitation using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to stimulate the vagus nerve may be a good adjunct therapy by physiatrists who treat dysautonomia. Heart rate variability (HRV) may provide quantitative evidence for the benefits of OMT on autonomic nervous system function. Elevated HRV indicates optimal health and reduced mortality risk, whereas low HRV is associated with stress, pain, and chronic disease pathology. To analyze the impact of modified occipitomastoid suture v-spread OMT technique on vagal tone by measuring HRV. Within-participant design with 5-minute HRV measurement pre- and post-OMT treatment. Clinical examination suites. Thirty healthy osteopathic medical students. A modified occipitomastoid suture v-spread treating somatic dysfunction by osteopathic physicians trained in osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine. HRV variables related to vagal tone including root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), percentage of successive normal sinus RR intervals >50 ms (pNN50), high frequency (HF), Parasympathetic Nervous System Index (PNSI), and Sympathetic Nervous System Index (SNSI). Repeated measures t-test analyzed the difference in mean HRV values after OMT. There were statistically significant increases in each of the HRV measures after OMT. Participants had a mean (95% confidence interval) RMSSD of 50.5 ms (38.3-62.8) at baseline and 55.0 ms (41.2-68.7, p = .013) post-OMT. pNN50 was 24.5% (17.6-31.3, n = 30) at baseline and 28.2% (20.8-35.6, p = .003) post-OMT. HF was 1549.6 ms2 (389.8-2709.4) at baseline and 1901.8 ms2 (618.2-3185.4, p = .103) post-OMT. PNSI was -0.1 (-0.5 to 0.2) at baseline and 0.1 (-0.3 to 1.5, p < .01) post-OMT, and SNSI was 0.2 (-0.1 to 0.6) at baseline and 0.05 (-0.3 to 0.4, p < .01) post-OMT. Normalization, due to high baseline variance, results include RMSSD 1.1 ms (1.0 to 1.1, p = .012), pNN50 1.3 (1.1 to 1.4, p = .011), and HF 1.2 ms2 (1.1 to 1.4, p = .018). Modified occipitomastoid suture v-spread may provide clinical benefit through increased vagal tone and decreased sympathetic activity.

Autonomic regulation in athletic horses repetitively participating in two novice jumping classes on consecutive days.

Animal welfare is of great concern in equestrian sports and has been evaluated in athletic horses competing at different levels. However, the impact of consecutive days of jumping competition and the extent of resultant stress responses remains unclear. To address this point, the present study compared the changes in stress response via heart rate variability (HRV) in horses participating in two national jumping events on consecutive days. The study involved six experienced horses equipped with heart rate monitoring devices. HRV variables were measured before, during, and after jumping at 10-min intervals for 60 min on each competition day. Multiple HRV variables decreased to varying degrees on both days from warm-up until 30 min post-jumping. Meanwhile, the mean heart rate increased during jumping and returned to normal levels at 50 min post-jumping on the first day (for all intervals, p < 0.05-0.001), while it remained elevated beyond 60 min post-jumping on the second day (for all intervals, p < 0.01-0.001). Additionally, maximum heart rate and respiratory rate were higher on the second day than in the first round during the warm-up phase (p < 0.05 for both variables). The proportion of the HRV low-frequency band was higher during riding on the second day (p < 0.05), while the proportion of the high-frequency band was reduced during warm-up on the first day (p < 0.05) and during course riding on the second (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the sympathetic nervous system index took longer to return to baseline on the second day than on the first. These results suggest that autonomic regulation differed in horses between jumping rounds on two consecutive days, with horses experiencing higher sympathetic activity and potentially increased stress in the second round. This information is important for riders, highlighting the need to be mindful of potential stress that could, at least in part, impact the welfare of horses participating in the same jumping competition on consecutive days.

Improvement of heart rate variability after metabolic bariatric surgery in Korean subjects with obesity.

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a chronic complication of diabetes. As obesity is a major risk factor for CAN, we hypothesized that metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) could improve CAN indices in Korean patients with obesity. Patients who underwent bariatric surgery between February 2020 and June 2022 were prospectively recruited. CAN was conducted once before surgery and again after surgery, using the Ewing method and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis (standard deviation of the NN interval [SDNN], root mean square of successive RR interval difference [RMSSD], and spectral analysis). A total of 47 patients were included. The mean age was 39.8 ± 8.7 years, 15 (31.9%) were male, and 26 (55.3%) had diabetes. Resting HR before surgery was 81.0 ± 12.3 bpm, which decreased significantly to 68.0 ± 9.3 bpm after surgery (P < 0.001). Changes in HR and BP according to the Valsalva maneuver, postural changes, and handgrip were not significantly different before and after surgery. However, SDNN significantly increased from 25.2 [15.1, 33.5] to 38.0 [25.4, 45.0] ms (P < 0.001), and RMSSD also significantly increased from 17.0 [9.2, 31.8] to 28.2 [15.3, 45.6] ms (P = 0.001). Both low-frequency power (LF) and high-frequency power (HF) increased significantly, and the LF/HF ratio significantly decreased from 2.1 ± 1.6 to 1.3 ± 1.3 (P = 0.010). Loss of weight, fat mass, and lean body mass were independently associated with improving the HRV variables. MBS improved HRV variables, and these changes were mainly associated with postoperative weight loss.

Variations in Heart Rate Variability and Physiological Responses during Analog Space Missions: An Exploratory Study

Variations in Heart Rate Variability and Physiological Responses during Analog Space Missions: An Exploratory Study

Effect of Prior Moderate Aerobic Exercise to Prolonged Sitting on Peripheral and Central Cardiovascular Measures in Young Women.

Prolonged sitting is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined whether moderate aerobic exercise prior to prolonged sitting (EX + SIT) has protective effects on peripheral and central cardiovascular and autonomic measures. Young women (n = 26; 23.4 ± 4.3 years old; BMI = 23.1 ± 4.3) completed two sessions in random order: (1) EX + SIT, which consisted of 25 min of moderate aerobic exercise followed by a 3 h prolonged sitting bout, and (2) a 3 h prolonged sitting bout only (SIT-only). Seated peripheral and central blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at baseline and after 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h of sitting. Generalized linear mixed models with random effects examined the effects of conditions (i.e., EX + SIT vs. SIT) on BP, PWV, and HRV while adjusting for baseline values. Only peripheral and central diastolic BP (β = 2.18; p = 0.016 and β = 1.99; p = 0.034, respectively) were significantly lower in the EX + SIT condition compared to the SIT-only condition. No differences were detected in other BP, PWV, or HRV variables between the two conditions (p > 0.05 for all). Performing moderate aerobic exercise in the morning before engaging in prolonged sitting bouts may reduce some of the prolonged-sitting-induced cardiovascular impairments in young women. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in males and middle-aged/older adults.

The effect of assessor visibility on student stress and anxiety in emergency care simulation assessments

BackgroundSimulation assessment can result in anxiety for students. These assessments involve being observed by assessors, so there is a significant socio-evaluative stress component which may cause greater anxiety if assessors are visible to students during assessments. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of assessor visibility on biological and physiological markers of stress and levels of anxiety experienced by pre-hospital emergency care students in a simulation assessment environment.MethodsA paired comparison, pre-post test research design was used with two conditions; an assessor visible condition with simulation assessors visible to students in the room and an assessor not visible condition with assessors not in the room but connected via video link. With a sample of 29 emergency care students anxiety was measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and stress was measured with salivary cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV).ResultsDifferences in state anxiety scores, HRV variables and salivary cortisol suggested lower stress and anxiety in the assessor visible group. Only heart rate was significantly different between the groups (p = 0.016), with a higher heart rate in the assessor not visible group.ConclusionsGreater stress and anxiety may be experienced by students during emergency care simulation assessments when assessors are not visible to students.

The Relationship of Pain Intensity, Perceived Injustice, and Pain Catastrophizing to Heart Rate Variability In Naturally Occurring Acute Pain.

Behavioral factors of pain catastrophizing and perceived injustice are associated with pain intensity in chronic pain. Diminished heart rate variability (HRV) is also strongly associated with chronic pain. These factors have been less explored earlier in the pain experience and it is unclear whether they play a role in the transition from acute to chronic pain. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, pain intensity, and HRV in naturally occurring acute pain. Ninety-seven patients were recruited from local outpatient physical therapy clinics. Seated HRV was captured on 94 patients via Polar chest strap while patients were taking a survey via iPad. In addition to sociodemographic data, the survey included the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The natural log of high-frequency power (lnHFP) HRV was used in the statistical analysis. Multiple linear regression modeling revealed that lower pain catastrophizing, higher perceived injustice, and lower pain intensity were associated with lower HRV, and accounted for 11.4% of the variance in HRV. While greater chronic pain intensity is associated with lower HRV, the relationship is reversed in the setting of acute pain. These findings highlight the need to better understand the unique factors that contribute to lower HRV in the acute phase.

Cardiac autonomic responses in relation to cognitive workload during simulated military flight

Understanding the operator's cognitive workload is crucial for efficiency and safety in human–machine systems. This study investigated how cognitive workload modulates cardiac autonomic regulation during a standardized military simulator flight. Military student pilots completed simulated flight tasks in a Hawk flight simulator. Continuous electrocardiography was recorded to analyze time and frequency domain heart rate variability (HRV). After the simulation, a flight instructor used a standardized method to evaluate student pilot's individual cognitive workload from video-recorded flight simulator data. Results indicated that HRV was able to differentiate flight phases that induced varying levels of cognitive workload; an increasing level of cognitive workload caused significant decreases in many HRV variables, mainly reflecting parasympathetic deactivation of cardiac autonomic regulation. In conclusion, autonomic physiological responses can be used to examine reactions to increased cognitive workload during simulated military flights. HRV could be beneficial in assessing individual responses to cognitive workload and pilot performance during simulator training.

Correlation between Heart Rate Variability and Disease Severity in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the variations in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) among individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and to explore the relationship between HRV, respiratory parameters, and disease severity. Methods: This prospective study included sixty participants diagnosed with OSA. Polysomnography (PSG) was utilized to assess HRV parameters, including time-domain and frequency-domain measures. Participants were categorized based on the severity of OSA, and data on hemoglobin (HGB), C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG) levels, and nocturnal oxygen desaturation (NOD) were collected. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the correlations between HRV, respiratory parameters, and disease severity. Results: Among the participants, 23 (38%) had severe OSA, while 17 (28%) were habitual snorers (HS). Hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in patients with severe OSA and NOD compared to HS individuals (p=0.002). Increased Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores were associated with higher heart rates during sleep in severe OSA patients compared to HS individuals. NOD (+) patients exhibited statistically higher heart rates during sleep compared to NOD (-) patients (p=0.008). Individuals with an apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) &gt;30, NOD (+), and the lowest SpO2 percentage overnight had significantly lower HRV compared to HS and NOD (-) individuals. Conclusions: In addition to AHI, NOD and the lowest overnight SpO2 are significant markers of elevated cardiovascular risk and are useful for assessing HRV. These findings suggest that cardiovascular risks in OSA patients are heightened both during sleep and wakefulness. Therefore, individuals with severe symptoms, especially those with excessive daytime sleepiness, high levels of NOD, and low nocturnal SpO2 percentages, should be prioritized for treatment, alongside those with high levels of severe OSA.

Diurnal variation of heart rate variability in individuals with spinal cord injury

BackgroundHeart rate variability (HRV) may provide objective information about cardiogenic autonomic balance in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of this study was to characterize the diurnal variation of HRV in individuals with SCI at lesion level T6 and above and lesion level below T6.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of a prior cross-sectional study. Individuals with chronic SCI underwent 24 h recording of the time between consecutive R waves (RR interval) to derive parameters of HRV as follows: standard deviation of all normal-to-normal R–R intervals (SDNN) and square root of the mean of the squared differences between successive R–R intervals (RMSSD) (time domain); and high frequency power (HF), low-frequency power (LF), very low frequency power (VLF), ultra-low frequency power (ULF) and total power (TP) (frequency domain). Changes in the magnitude of HRV outcomes over the 24 h period were investigated using a novel multi-component cosinor model constrained to the form of a three-harmonic Fourier series.ResultsParticipants were grouped as lesion level T6 and above (n = 22) or below T6 (n = 36). Most of them were male (n = 40, 69%) and the median age (interquartile range) was 50.5 (28) years. Both groups exhibited similar diurnal patterns in most HRV metrics. The lowest values occurred in the late afternoon (4–6 pm) and gradually increased, peaking around midnight to early morning (1–6 am). Exceptions included RMSSD, which peaked before midnight, and ULF, which showed a double peak pattern that peaked from 11 am to 1 pm and 4–6 am in participants with lesion level at T6 and above. The HRV values in participants with lesion level T6 and above were generally lower than participants with lesion level below T6, except for peak values of RMSSD, HF and LF.ConclusionThis study demonstrated substantial diurnal variation of HRV in participants with SCI in both groups of participants. In clinical and research settings, diurnal variations in HRV must be taken into consideration.

Association of sex with heart rate variability in atrial fibrillation patients

Abstract Background Sex-specific differences in cardiac autonomic tone have not been thoroughly investigated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) but may play a relevant role. Purpose We aimed to investigate cardiac autonomic function of female compared to male AF patients by means of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis, we enrolled 1150 patients from the Swiss-AF cohort study with 5-minute resting ECG recordings in sinus rhythm. We calculated the following HRV parameters: HRV triangular index (HRVI), standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences, mean heart rate, power in the high frequency and low frequency range. We fitted linear regression models to analyze the association between gender and HRV variables adjusted for age, intake of betablockers, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure. Results 361 patients (29%) were female (mean age 72.9±7.8 years), 789 (68.6%) were male (mean age 69.8±8.5 years). In the multivariable adjusted models, female sex was associated with significantly lower values of HRVI (β = -0.74; 95% CI -1.44- -0 04, p=0.039) and SDNN (β = 8.95; 95% CI 0.162-17.7, p=0.046). This association persisted in all three age tertiles (&amp;lt;68 years, 68-75 years and ≥ 75 years of age). Conclusions In an elderly AF cohort, female sex is associated with reduced global autonomic activity. Whether this is associated with an adverse prognosis has to be investigated.

Electrical Activity of Heart During ECG For EMF And Non– EMF Trails.

Background: The ubiquitous use of mobile phones has raised concerns about potential health impacts, particularly regarding the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the human brain and heart. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a critical measure of heart health, influenced by brain function and susceptible to disruption by mobile phone radiation. Objective: This study aims to investigate the influence of mobile phone EMF on HRV, utilizing higher-order spectral analysis of ECG data to determine the functional relationship between the heart and brain under EMF exposure. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, participated in this experiment. The subjects, with an average age of 27 years, underwent ECG and EEG recording under varying conditions of EMF exposure. Each session involved comparisons of EMF effects over different durations and positions relative to the heart. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in bicoherence values for chest positions V1 and V2, with non-EMF trials showing higher values compared to EMF trials. Coherence between ECG and EEG indicated significant changes in the 16-30 Hz frequency band during EMF exposure. Extended exposure of 40 minutes correlated with notable variations in HRV. Conclusion: The findings suggest that mobile phone EMF can significantly affect HRV parameters, particularly with prolonged exposure and when the EMF source is close to the heart. These results underscore the importance of developing guidelines for safe mobile phone usage.

Hematological and physiological responses in polo ponies with different field-play positions during low-goal polo matches.

Strenuous exercise in traditional polo matches creates enormous stress on horses. Hematological and physiological measures may vary across different field-play positions. This study aimed to investigate the effort intensity and the impact of exertion on hematology and heart rate variability (HRV) in polo ponies with different positions. Thirty-two ponies, divided equally into eight teams, were studied. Each comprises forwards (number 1), midfielders (numbers 2 and 3), and defenders (number 4). Team pairs played the first chukka in four low-goal polo matches. Percent maximum heart rate (%HRmax), indicating ponies' effort intensity, was classified into five zones, including zones 1 (<70%), 2 (70-80%), 3 (80-90%), 4 (90-95%) and 5 (>95%). Hematological and HRV parameters were determined before, immediately after, and at 30-minute intervals for 180 minutes after chukkas; HRV variables were also obtained during warm-up and exercise periods. Results indicated that the number two ponies spent more time in zone 4 (p < 0.05) but less in zone 2 (p < 0.01) than the number four ponies. Cortisol levels increased immediately and 30 minutes afterward (p < 0.0001 for both) and then returned to baseline 60-90 minutes after exertion. Other measures (Hct, Hb, RBC, WBC, neutrophils, and CK enzyme) increased immediately (p < 0.0001 for all) and lasted at least 180 minutes after exertion (p < 0.05-0.0001). HRV decreased during the chukka until approximately 90 minutes afterward (p < 0.05-0.0001). The stress index increased during the chukka and declined to baseline at 60 minutes in number 1-3 ponies but lasted 90 minutes in those at number four. Effort intensity distribution differed among field-play positions. Decreased HRV indicated reduced parasympathetic activity during exercise, extending to 90 minutes after exertion in polo ponies. Defenders seem to experience more stress than those in other positions.

Heart rate variability helps classify phenotype in systemic sclerosis

We aimed to develop a systemic sclerosis (SSc) subtypes classifier tool to be used at the patient’s bedside. We compared the heart rate variability (HRV) at rest (5-min) and in response to orthostatism (5-min) of patients (n = 58) having diffuse (n = 16, dcSSc) and limited (n = 38, lcSSc) cutaneous forms. The HRV was evaluated from the beat-to-beat RR intervals in time-, frequency-, and nonlinear-domains. The dcSSc group differed from the lcSSc group mainly by a higher heart rate (HR) and a lower HRV, in decubitus and orthostatism conditions. Stand-up maneuver lowered HR standard deviation (sd_HR), the major axis length of the fitted ellipse of Poincaré plot of RR intervals (SD2), and the correlation dimension (CorDim) in the dcSSc group while increased these HRV indexes in the lcSSc group (p = 0.004, p = 0.002, and p = 0.004, respectively). We identified the 5 most informative and discriminant HRV variables. We then compared 341 classifying models (1 to 5 variables combinations × 11 classifier algorithms) according to mean squared error, logloss, sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, area under curve of the ROC-curves and F1-score. F1-score ranged from 0.823 for the best 1-variable model to a maximum of 0.947 for the 4-variables best model. Most specific and precise models included sd_HR, SD2, and CorDim. In conclusion, we provided high performance classifying models able to distinguish diffuse from limited cutaneous SSc subtypes easy to perform at the bedside from ECG recording. Models were based on 1 to 5 HRV indexes used as nonlinear markers of autonomic integrated influences on cardiac activity.

Do Decision-Making Styles Predict Vagal Control? The Role of Resting Heart Rate Variability.

Decision-making styles are a habit-based propensity that drive behavior and affect daily life. Rational and intuitive decision-making styles have been associated with good mental health. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. In the last decade, high basal levels of heart rate variability (HRV) have been proposed as an index of health and emotional control, and this could be one of the variables involved in the effects of decision making on health. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the capability of decision-making styles to predict resting HRV. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 199 (119 women) young university students, and a resting ECG was recorded to extract frequency domain HRV variables. Subsequently, participants completed sociodemographic data and the General Decision-Making Style questionnaire (GDMS). Results showed that the intuitive style predicted high-frequency HRV, while the avoidant style predicted less low-frequency HRV. This study presents new data on the relationship between decision-making style and HRV, suggesting that the intuitive style has a cardioprotective effect, while the avoidant style is related to lower HRV, which has been associated with health vulnerability. In conclusion, this study contributes to the understanding of HRV and its potential as a biomarker for cognitive styles that may improve health.

Does whole-body vibration improve risk of falls, balance, and heart rate variability in post-COVID-19 patients? A randomized clinical trial

IntroductionWhole-Body Vibration (WBV) can be a therapeutic recovery strategy for patients hospitalized for COVID-19. ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of a 36-session WBV protocol on the risk of falls, balance, mobility and heart rate variability (HRV). Study designA randomized clinical trial. Methods13 patients affected by COVID-19, trained with WBV, 3×/week on alternate days, totaling 36 sessions, were evaluated before and after the intervention. ResultsWBV training at 2 mm and 4 mm amplitude resulted in a reduction in the risk of falls when compared to Sham (p = 0.023), with effect size of 0.530. No changes were observed for mobility and balance outcomes (p = 0.127) or for any of the HRV variables (p = 0.386). ConclusionWBV training reduced the risk of falls in post-COVID patients. No changes were observed regarding balance and mobility, nor for HRV.

Investigating the Feasibility of Using a Wearable Device to Measure Physiologic Health Data in Emergency Nurses and Residents: Observational Cohort Study.

Emergency departments play a pivotal role in the US health care system, with high use rates and inherent stress placed on patients, patient care, and clinicians. The impact of the emergency department environment on the health and well-being of emergency residents and nurses can be seen in worsening rates of burnout and cardiovascular health. Research on clinician health has historically been completed outside of clinical areas and not personalized to the individual. The expansion of digital technology, specifically wearable devices, may enhance the ability to understand how health care environments impact clinicians. The primary objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using wearable devices to measure and record physiologic data from emergency nurses and resident physicians. Understanding strategies that are accepted and used by clinicians is critical prior to launching larger investigations aimed at improving outcomes. This was a longitudinal pilot study conducted at an academic, urban, level 1 trauma center. A total of 20 participants, including emergency medicine resident physicians and nurses, were equipped with a wearable device (WHOOP band) and access to a mobile health platform for 6 weeks. Baseline surveys assessed burnout, mental health, and expectations of the device and experience. Participants provided open-ended feedback on the device and platform, contributing to the assessment of acceptance, adoption, and use of the wearable device. Secondary measures explored early signs and variations in heart rate variability, sleep, recovery, burnout, and mental health assessments. Of the 20 participants, 10 consistently used the wearable device. Feedback highlighted varying experiences with the device, with a preference for more common wearables like the Apple Watch or Fitbit. Resident physicians demonstrated higher engagement with the device and platform as compared with nurses. Baseline mental health assessments indicated mild anxiety and depressive symptoms among participants. The Professional Fulfillment Index revealed low professional fulfillment, moderate workplace exhaustion, and interpersonal disengagement. This pilot study underscores the potential of wearable devices in monitoring emergency clinicians' physiologic data but reveals challenges related to device preferences and engagement. The key takeaway is the necessity to optimize device and platform design for clinician use. Larger, randomized trials are recommended to further explore and refine strategies for leveraging wearable technology to support the well-being of the emergency workforce.