Heartrate Variability (HRV) In which the heart rate increases with breathing in and decreases with breathing out. The degree of fluctuation in heart rate is controlled by several factors, including regular impulses from the baroreceptors (pressure sensors) in the main arteries. Heart rate normally has a lot of variability. Loss of this variability is uniformly associated with a negative effect on health and is a better predictor of the risk of heart disease and death from heart disease than the traditional risk factors (smoking, diet, etc). Heartrate variability is decreased in heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetic autonomic neuropathy, panic and phobias, generalised anxiety, major depression, anorexia, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia and other pain disorders, aging, stress and negative emotion. A decrease is also associated with an increased risk of stroke.  Heartrate variability is increased with exercise and positive emotion. Heartrate variability change with breathing is used as an index of vagal tone. (vagal tone is an indication of the health of the vagus nerve which influences heart, breathing and gut function) Heartrate Variability Biofeedback gives feedback which provides opportunity to practice improved variability and reinforce the natural feedback activity of the baroreceptors with resulting improvements in function. Blood pressure drops, stress hormones plummet, anti-aging hormones increase, clarity and calmness are enhanced. Three heart frequencies generated by heart nodes are recorded High freguency - 0.15 - 4 Hz, represents cardiopulmonary fluctuations - controlled by parasympathetic pathways - also known as RSA (respiratory sinus arrythmia) Low frequency - 0.08 - 0.11 Hz, represents the influence of blood pressure rhythms on the heart Very Low Frequency - < 0.08 Hz, is mediated by sympathetic pathways and quite sensitive to ruminative or worrisome thoughts. A peak at 0.1 Hz happens at around 6 breaths per minute called the resonant frequency (meditators peak or baroreceptor rhythm). As we breathe slowly and diaphragmatically, the spectral pattern of the heart rate is altered in a systematic way to create the resonant frequency which helps restore homeostatic reflexes, muscle recovery, cardiopulmonary function and baroreceptor sensitivity. This is called resonant frequency training.

Other Forms of Biofeedback Electromyography - EMG - monitors muscles (including muscles of the pelvic floor, www.vulvodynia.com ) and is used in muscle rehabilitation by physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Here, at Audra Centre Neurofeedback, it as a measure of muscle relaxation. Skin Temperature - at fingertip – is a measure of blood vessel dilation – also a measure of the degree of relaxation. Skin Conductance (skin resistance, electro-dermal response, galvanic skin response, (GSR) - measures sweat gland activity and thereby, stress or arousal level. People’s responsiveness is usually more marked in one of the above areas. If only one modality is being used, choosing the area of greatest responsiveness for each individual is most useful for training. These forms of peripheral biofeedback have traditionally been used to promote relaxation, monitor and decrease the effects of stress. For more, see: www.aapb.org www.bfe.org

Jan  Bowers.  MNZAC.  NZRN.  BA (psyc/educ). “Kowhai Tree Lodge”  17 Kinloch Place, Papakowhai, Porirua, Wellington 5024  Ph:(04) 2378 892 - Cell Ph:021 0237 6647 – Email: JanBowers@xtra.co.nz Webpage: www.neurofeedback.co.nz