Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training Can Improve Menopausal Symptoms and Psychological Well-Being in Women with a Diagnosis of Primary Breast Cancer: A Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Trial
Breast cancer survivors experience numerous chronic symptoms linked to autonomic dysfunction including anxiety, stress, insomnia, menopausal symptoms, and cognitive impairment. Effective non-pharmacological solutions to address these are currently lacking. Methods: Our three-armed longitudinal rando...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Current Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/3/150 |
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| Summary: | Breast cancer survivors experience numerous chronic symptoms linked to autonomic dysfunction including anxiety, stress, insomnia, menopausal symptoms, and cognitive impairment. Effective non-pharmacological solutions to address these are currently lacking. Methods: Our three-armed longitudinal randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of a 4-week remote smartphone-based heart rate variability biofeedback intervention which involved daily paced breathing at 6 breaths p/min; active (12 breaths p/min) and waitlist controls were included. Heart rate variability and self-reported cancer-related symptoms were assessed at baseline, post-, and 6 months-post intervention. Participants were 60 UK-based women with primary breast cancer history (6 to 60 months post-active treatment). Results: The intervention group showed significant increases in low-frequency heart rate variability over time (F (4, 103.89) = 2.862, <i>p</i> = 0.027, <i>d</i> = 0.33), long-lasting improvement in sleep quality (F (4, 88.04) = 4.87, <i>p</i> = 0.001, <i>d</i> = 0.43) and cessations in night sweats (<i>X</i><sup>2</sup> (2, <i>N</i> = 59) = 6.44, <i>p</i> = 0.04, Cramer’s V = 0.33), and reduced anxiety post-intervention compared to the active and waitlist controls (F (4, 82.51) = 2.99, <i>p</i> = 0.023, <i>d</i> = 0.44). Other findings indicated that the intervention and active control participants reported lasting improvements in cognitive function, fatigue, and stress-related symptoms (all <i>ps</i> < 0.05). The waitlist group reported no symptom changes across time. Conclusion: Heart rate variability biofeedback is a feasible intervention for addressing diverse chronic symptoms commonly reported by breast cancer survivors. |
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| ISSN: | 1198-0052 1718-7729 |