A Pilot Study of Ambulatory Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Substance Use Disorder

Description

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is an biobehavioral intervention involving rhythmic breathing at resonance frequency that stimulates cardiovascular regulatory systems to help individuals better regulate affect and bolster cognitive control. This intervention has already shown its potential as a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment tool, but practical limitations of its accessibility, labor intensiveness, and cost have previously prevented this intervention from going to scale. Second-generation, ambulatory HRVB technology, however, has overcome these limitations and now allows patients to practice HRVB in-the-moment when its needed most. This study is testing the efficacy of second-generation, ambulatory HRVB for the first time with individuals with SUD.

Conditions

Substance Use Disorders

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is an biobehavioral intervention involving rhythmic breathing at resonance frequency that stimulates cardiovascular regulatory systems to help individuals better regulate affect and bolster cognitive control. This intervention has already shown its potential as a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment tool, but practical limitations of its accessibility, labor intensiveness, and cost have previously prevented this intervention from going to scale. Second-generation, ambulatory HRVB technology, however, has overcome these limitations and now allows patients to practice HRVB in-the-moment when its needed most. This study is testing the efficacy of second-generation, ambulatory HRVB for the first time with individuals with SUD.

A Pilot Study of Ambulatory Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Substance Use Disorder

A Pilot Study of Ambulatory Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Substance Use Disorder

Condition
Substance Use Disorders
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Boston

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114-4714

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * ≥18 years of age
  • * Own a smartphone
  • * English proficiency
  • * DSM 5 diagnosis of substance use disorder
  • * In the first year of a current substance use disorder recovery attempt with a goal of total alcohol and other drug abstinence
  • * Medical history of severe cardiac arrhythmia
  • * Active psychosis

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Massachusetts General Hospital,

David Eddie, Ph.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Record Dates

2024-07