HRV Biofeedback in Fibromyalgia

Summary

A growing body of evidence suggests that the symptoms of many fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) sufferers might be the result of an imbalance in one of the major stress response systems, the autonomic nervous system. Thus respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback, which has shown promise in other conditions associated with an autonomic nervous system imbalance, could be effective in FMS. With the aid of sensors and computers, biofeedback involves modifying and/or learning how to control normally involuntary processes like blood pressure, heart rate and the autonomic nervous system through relaxation and breathing. The goal of this study is to test the effectiveness of a 10-session RSA biofeedback treatment for the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Forty patients receiving the RSA biofeedback treatment will be compared to 40 patients receiving another form of biofeedback thought to be minimally helpful (control group). Later, control group patients will also receive the RSA biofeedback treatment. We will study improvement in symptoms like pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression in the RSA biofeedback group and compare these improvements to those in the control group. We will also assess whether these improvements persist over time and what if any changes in the autonomic nervous system result from the treatment.

Conditions

• Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

RSA Biofeedback

RSA Biofeedback Condition. The biofeedback will consist of 10 weekly sessions of training, at the same time of day for each subject. The details of the procedure for RSA biofeedback are described in Appendix A. One single practitioner, a certified biofeedback technician, will provide the biofeedback following the aforementioned protocol. In each session, 20 minutes of biofeedback will be delivered using a J\&J C-2+ Physiograph. The participant will be taught to breathe at her resonant frequency, as a first step to training the individual how to produce maximal increases in amplitude of RSA.

BEHAVIORAL

EEG Biofeedback Condition

EEG Biofeedback Condition. Participants assigned to this condition will receive 10 sessions of EEG alpha biofeedback. In each session, 20 minutes of biofeedback will be delivered using a J\&J I-330-C2+ physiograph. The participant will learn how to modify specific brainwave activity known as alpha. In particular, participants will be taught to increase amplitude of alpha in the range of 8-12 Hz. Increased amplitude is this range is associated with relaxation and reduction of anxiety, but not baroreflex gain. Participants will also practice for two 20-minute periods daily using the same methods used to increase alpha found in lab sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Arthritis Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Afton L Hassett, Psy.D. · Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2004-07-31

Primary Completion

2011-03-31

Completion

2011-03-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations