My Life in HRV Biofeedback Research

This paper reviews the published work of me along with my students and close colleagues on the topic of heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB). It includes early research by Vaschillo documenting resonance characteristics of the baroreflex system that causes large oscillations in heart rate when breathing at resonance frequency, research on heart rate variability as a marker of parasympathetic stress response in asthma, and HRVB as a treatment for asthma and depression. Many questions about HRVB remain unresolved, and important questions for future research are listed.

Automated summary

This paper reviews the published work on heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB), including research on resonance characteristics and heart rate variability as a marker of parasympathetic stress response in asthma. HRVB is also discussed as a treatment for asthma and depression. The paper highlights unresolved questions in HRVB and suggests important areas for future research.