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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2025, vol. 31, issue3
Subject Area: Public Health
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2025313.6331
Published online: 14 July 2025
Original article
J of IMAB. 2025 Jul-Sep;31(3):6331-6338
BENEFITS OF HEART RATE VARIABILITY BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING ON MEDICAL STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH
Gabriela Panayotova1
, Silviya Nikolova2, Zlatislav Stoyanov1, Margarita Velikova1,
1) Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University - Varna, Bulgaria.
2) Department of Social Medicine and Health Care Organization, Medical University - Varna, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Background: Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for stress and emotional regulation. This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal effects of HRV-BF on perceived stress, depression, and anxiety among international medical students over 12 weeks.
Methods: A total of 47 international medical students participated in the study, with psychological assessments conducted at two time points (February and May) over a 12-week period, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Statistical analyses included the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test to assess changes over time within each group.
Results: The results revealed significant reductions in all measured psychological parameters within the biofeedback group, with stress (p = 0.007), depression (p = 0.002), and anxiety (p < 0.001) levels showing notable improvement over time. The control group exhibited minimal change over time, supporting the observed improvements within the biofeedback group.
Conclusions: These findings support the integration of HRV-BF training into medical education as a strategy for enhancing students' mental well-being. Future research should explore long-term effects and optimize intervention protocols to maximize benefits. HRV-BF may serve as a valuable tool in mitigating the psychological burden associated with rigorous academic environments.
Keywords: heart rate variability biofeedback, stress, medical students, anxiety, depression, mental health, non-pharmacological therapy,
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Please cite this article as: Panayotova G, Nikolova S, Stoyanov Z, Velikova M. Benefits of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training on Medical Students’ Mental Health. J of IMAB. 2025 Jul-Sep;31(3):6331-6338. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2025313.6331]
Correspondence to: Gabriela Panayotova, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University, Varna; 55, Marin Drinov Str., Varna, Bulgaria; E-mail: gabrielapanayotova95@gmail.com
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Received: 26 January 2025
Published online: 14 July 2025