Abstract
Purpose
As a brief, noninvasive, cost-effective, and technology-driven therapy, biofeedback
is a promising and welcomed clinical intervention for children and adolescents with
pediatric chronic pain conditions. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the
application of a brief Heart Rate Variability (HRV) biofeedback intervention supplemented
by at-home breathing practice as a tool for reducing symptomatology associated with
chronic pain in a pediatric urban hospital setting.
Design and methods
Twenty-one participants aged 10–17 years (M = 14.05, SD = 1.91; 76% female) and their caregivers completed the study. Participants were randomized
to either 1) receive immediate biofeedback treatment including at-home breathing practice
or 2) to be placed on a 4-week waitlist and then enrolled in the biofeedback treatment.
Study outcomes included self-reported pain intensity, health-related quality of life
(HRQOL), and anxiety sensitivity. HRV data were obtained from biofeedback sessions.
Results: Following biofeedback treatment, participants achieved significant reductions
in self-reported pain intensity, higher levels of self-reported school functioning,
and increased HRV, as measured by Blood Volume Pulse (BVP) amplitude. Participants
in the waitlist group experienced an increase in pain intensity during the waitlist
period.
Conclusion
Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying HRV biofeedback
and its treatment of pediatric chronic pain.
Practice implications
Nurses are ideal practitioners for biofeedback given their training in physiology
and background in healthcare and should be encouraged to explore training in this
area. Suggested biofeedback-related apps and mobile devices to share with patients
at bedside are provided.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 28, 2022
Accepted:
June 13,
2022
Received in revised form:
May 10,
2022
Received:
November 20,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
