The Utility of Heartrate and Heartrate Variability Biofeedback for the Improvement of Interoception Across Behavioural, Physiological and Neural Outcome Measures : A Systematic Review

Wareing, Lettie and Readman, Megan and Longo, Matthew and Linkenauger, Sally and Crawford, Trevor (2024) The Utility of Heartrate and Heartrate Variability Biofeedback for the Improvement of Interoception Across Behavioural, Physiological and Neural Outcome Measures : A Systematic Review. Brain Sciences, 14: 579. ISSN 2076-3425

[thumbnail of Lettie Interoception Review final publication(2024)]
Text (Lettie Interoception Review final publication(2024))
Lettie_Interoception_Review_final_publication_2024_.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (827kB)

Abstract

Interoceptive dysfunctions are increasingly implicated in a number of physical and mental health conditions. Accordingly, there is a pertinent need for therapeutic interventions which target interoceptive deficits. Heartrate and heartrate variability biofeedback therapy (HR(V)-BF), interventions which train individuals to regulate their cardiovascular signals and constrain these within optimal parameters through breathing, could enhance the functioning of interoceptive pathways via stimulation of the vagus nerve. Consequently, this narrative systematic review sought to synthesise the current state of the literature with regards to the potential of HR(V)-BF as an interoceptive intervention across behavioural, physiological and neural outcome measures related to interoception. In total, 77 papers were included in this review, with the majority using physiological outcome measures. Overall, findings were mixed with respect to improvements in the outcome measures after HR(V)-BF. However, trends suggested that effects on measures related to interoception were stronger when resonance frequency breathing and an intense treatment protocol were employed. 28 Based upon these findings, we propose a three-stage model by which HR(V)-BF may improve interoception which draws upon principles of interoceptive inference and predictive coding. Furthermore, we provide specific directions for future research which will serve to advance the current knowledge state.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Brain Sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Research Output Funding/yes_externally_funded
Subjects:
?? interoceptionheartrate variabilitybiofeedbackheartrate variability biofeedbackinteroceptive inferenceyes - externally fundedgeneral neuroscienceneuroscience(all) ??
ID Code:
221193
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
10 Jun 2024 10:50
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
22 Sep 2024 01:02