Emerging technologies have advanced well-being and health assessments for health professionals. One such recent development permits the physical therapist to monitor any subtle changes within the nervous system. Heart Rate Variability captures patterns of brain and nervous system functions and can be a great instrument to test well-being.
A deviation of the beat-to-beat interval period is a physiological phenomenon. Numerous factors regulate this variation, one of which is the brain.
The brain controls the regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System, which predominantly consists of the Sympathetic (“fight or flight “response) or Parasympathetic (“rest and digest “response) Nervous Systems. The clinical use of Heart Rate Variability can evaluate painlessly and non-invasively the immediate impact the brain has on Autonomic Functionality.
The set up procedure for Heart Rate Variability testing is quick and simple, taking only a few minutes. The patient can rest comfortably while surface electrodes are attached to specific body sites. Depending on the test protocol, the testing duration typically ranges from 3 to 10 minutes. A comprehensive report is then analyzed following a valid test procedure, all done in a non-invasive and painless manner.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) often reveals subtle rhythmic patterns of the heart rate, which can be used to assess the effectiveness of treatment plans. For instance, Autonomic Biofeedback therapy may be an appropriate strategy based on the HRV results. This therapy has shown to be effective even before serious physical symptoms arise, making it a valuable tool for well-being therapy.
Monitoring your Heart Rate Variability and assessing the autonomic balance can greatly enhance the accuracy of monitoring brain health. For further information regarding Heart Rate Variability and biofeedback, don't hesitate to contact us at Brainstorm.
