Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Does Not Substitute for Asthma Steroid Controller Medication.

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Does Not Substitute for Asthma Steroid Controller Medication. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2017 Nov 09;: Authors: Lehrer PM, Irvin CG, Lu SE, Scardella A, Roehmheld-Hamm B, Aviles-Velez M, Graves J, Vaschillo EG, Vaschillo B, Hoyte F, Nelson H, Wamboldt FS Abstract Despite previous findings of therapeutic effects for heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) on asthma, it is not known whether HRVB can substitute either for controller or rescue medication, or whether it affects airway inflammation. Sixty-eight paid volunteer steroid naïve study participants with mild or moderate asthma were given 3 months of HRVB or a comparison condition consisting of EEG alpha biofeedback with relaxing music and relaxed paced breathing (EEG+), in a two-center trial. All participants received a month of intensive asthma education prior to randomization. Both treatment conditions produced similar significant improvements on the methacholine challenge test (MCT), asthma symptoms, and asthma quality of life (AQOL). MCT effects were of similar size to those of enhanced placebo procedures reported elsewhere, and were 65% of those of a course of a high-potency inhaled steroid budesonide given to a sub-group of participants following biofeedback training. Exhaled nitric oxide decreased significantly only in the HRVB group, 81% of the budesonide effect, but with no significant differences between groups. Participants r...
Source: Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback Source Type: research