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Digital Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Intervention for First Episode Psychosis
Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong
Summary
The objective of the current study is to assess the impact of a five-week digital heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-B) intervention or music listening on the well-being of first episode psychosis patients. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of how an individual's heart rate can adapt to a changing environment and mental and physiological challenges. It has been well established that HRV can be regulated through actions such as slow breathing and meditation. HRV Biofeedback (HRV-B) involves breathing at a specific frequency, usually around 6 breaths per minute, which has been shown to maximize HRV. Research has shown that HRV-B interventions improved mental health symptoms in various populations including individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis.
Official title: Digital Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Intervention for First Episode Psychosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 55 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2026-06-01
Completion Date
2026-08
Last Updated
2026-06-05
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback
The HRV-B intervention will consist of five weeks of daily HRV-B practice, based on previous empirical studies that used 5 weeks (Tatschl et al, 2020) with 6 weekly lab visits or checkins. Participants will practice for 10 minutes in the morning and evening for a total of 20 minutes per day, using a wearable device and mobile app.
Music Listening
The control group will undergo a 5 week active control intervention consisting of daily music listening and 6 weekly check ins. Control participants will listen to music through an app for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening, for a total of 20 minutes daily, using a mobile app. They will be instructed to avoid doing other tasks when listening to the music to ensure consistency between individuals.
Locations (1)
Queen Mary Hospital/University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, SAR China, Hong Kong