Feasibility and Acceptability of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in a Group of Veterans with Fibromyalgia

Objectives:To determine the feasibility and acceptability of a heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) protocol in a focus group of Veterans with fibromyalgia (FM). Design:A multimethod feasibility and acceptability study. Settings/location:A Veterans Health outpatient pain medicine clinic in the southern United States. Subjects:The researcher enrolled seven women and three men between the ages of 33 and 68 years with a diagnosis of FM. Interventions:Participants practiced HRVB on theemWave2at home for 20 min twice daily for 7 weeks. Outcome measures:Feasibility to adhere to the HRVB protocol was measured using the practice frequency and time (minutes) data collected from theemWave2. The author compared the individual reports from participants with the Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire to measure the acceptability of the intervention. In addition, the principal investigator evaluated data from the Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMQ) and the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) at the baseline and weekly study visits for a signal of efficacy for pain control, functional status, and quality of life (QOL). Results:The majority of participants (80%) expected 50% or more improvement in their pain, and (70%) felt HRVB would reduce their FM-related pain by 50%-80%. The mean daily practice frequency rate was 0.80. The mean practice duration was 19.36 min. Pain score differences from the SFMQ were insignificant preintervention and postintervention. The mean total FIQR scores postintervention improved by 18.1 points. Conclusions:Findings suggest twice-daily HRVB practice protocol is not feasible. However, 20-min HRVB sessions were feasible and acceptable. Improved FIQR scores post-treatment suggest HRVB may be an effective strategy to improve functional status and QOL for Veterans with FM.ClinicalTrials.govID: Pro00079144.