There is a connection between HRV and mental health. In a 2009 study, 29 police officers were trained in biofeedback techniques using HRV, and they showed significantly reduced baseline anxiety. A separate study of 75 correctional officers showed significant improvements in overall stress, improved outlook, and reduction in physiological indices of stress. Moreover, the participants were able to improve their productivity and motivation after the training. However, more research is needed to make these results truly actionable.
Depression
While HRV and mental health are related, the relationship between HRV and mental health is not completely clear. However, there are several factors that can help predict whether or not a person is suffering from depression. The first factor is the patient’s age, which varies from individual to individual. The second factor is the severity of the depression. For example, people with chronic PTSD are more likely to suffer from a depressive disorder than those without it. Consequently, there is a connection between HRV and depression, and it is possible to measure both.
HF-HRV
There are two types of HRV. One type is measured with HF-HRV, while others are measured using vagally mediated HRV indices. There is also a correlation between longer and shorter HRV segments. In addition to predicting mood and emotional state, HRV has been proposed as a transdiagnostic biomarker of mental illness. If these findings are confirmed, then HRV may have clinical implications for mental health.
