Pilot Study on Reducing Symptoms of Anxiety with a Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Wearable and Remote Stress Management Coach

• Published in: Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 347 - 358
• Main Authors: Chung, Adrienne H., Gevirtz, Richard N., Gharbo, Raouf S., Thiam, Melinda A., Ginsberg, J.P. (Jack)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.12.2021; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anxiety; Anxiety - therapy; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biofeedback; Biofeedback training; Biofeedback, Psychology - physiology; EKG; Electrocardiogram; Electrocardiography; Feedback; Health Psychology; Heart beat; Heart rate; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Mental depression; Pilot Projects; Psychology; Psychotherapy and Counseling; Public Health; Stress; Stress (Psychology); Stress management; Vibrations; Visual stimuli; Wearable computers; Wearable Electronic Devices; Symptoms of anxiety; Relaxation training; Autonomic dysfunction; Wearable electronic devices; Heart rate variability biofeedback
• ISSN: 1090-0586; 1573-3270; 1573-3270
• DOI: 10.1007/s10484-021-09519-x

We assessed the feasibility of using a consumer friendly, heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) wearable device in conjunction with a remote stress management coach to reduce symptoms of anxiety. We utilized a discreet, continuously wearable electrocardiogram device, the Lief Smart Patch, which measures and records heart rate and HRV in real time, and guides HRVB exercises using vibrations and visual cues. During the 8-week study, participants ( N  = 14) wore the Lief Smart Patch, participated in HRVB with the device, utilized the mobile app, and communicated with a remote stress management coach. We collected self-report survey responses to measure symptoms of anxiety (GAD-2) and depression (PHQ-2) every 2 weeks, as well as HRV data throughout the study. Participants’ mean GAD-2 score began at 4.6 out of 6. By the trial’s completion, the group’s mean GAD-2 score dropped to 1.7 (t (13)  = 11.0, p  < .001) with only 2 of the 14 subjects remaining over the clinical threshold of high anxiety. Similarly, the group’s mean PHQ-2 score dropped from 2.93 to 1.29 (t (13)  = 3.54, p  < .01). In addition, participants increased their HRV (RMSSD) by an average of + 11.4 ms after participating in a low dose biofeedback exercise. These findings suggest that engaging in HRVB through a discreet wearable device in conjunction with a remote stress management program may be effective for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.