Anxiety Mood.  2020 Oct;16(2):83-90. 10.24986/anxmod.2020.16.2.004.

The Relationship between Heart Rate Variability and Symptoms in Subjects with Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

• Park Js
• Kang Sh
• Park JE
• Choi JH
• So HS
• Kim Kw
• Choi Hy

• KMID: 2508479
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24986/anxmod.2020.16.2.004

Abstract

Objective
: Heart rate variability (HRV) is known to reflect autonomic nervous system activity. Individ- uals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are reported to have lower HRVs. We attempted to find HRV indices with head up tilt position that reflect the symptoms well in order to evaluate PTSD symptoms.
Methods
: Sixty-seven patients with PTSD and 72 patients without PTSD were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Pitts-burgh Sleep Quality Index. HRV was measured in the head-up tilt position. We collected data regarding heart rate (HR), standard deviation of the NN intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean squared differ-ences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), log low-frequency (LNLF) and log high-frequency (LNHF).
Results
: The value of LNHF was different according to presence or absence of PTSD after head-up tilt position. In the findings of the association between PTSD symptoms and HRV indices as based on head-up tilt, LNHF had a significant correlation with the total score of PCL-5.
Conclusion
: The reduction of the high-frequency component of HRVs in the PTSD group might reflect more PTSD symptoms.

Keyword

Posttraumatic stress disorder; Heart rate variability; PTSD Checklist for DSM-5