Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40828260›Full record

Trial reportApplied psychophysiology and biofeedback2026

A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Leah Talbert, Whitney Allen, Anna Wheeler, Bethany Hartwell, Tanner Jensen, Eliza Young, Thomas Baldwin, Kevin Olpin, Scott Baldwin, Ramona Hopkins and 3 more

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Leah TalbertBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Whitney AllenBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Anna WheelerBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Bethany HartwellBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Tanner JensenBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Eliza YoungBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Thomas BaldwinBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Kevin OlpinBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Scott BaldwinBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Ramona HopkinsBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Patrick SteffenBrigham Young University, Provo, USA.
Julian ThayerUniversity of California, Irvine, USA.
Michael LarsonBrigham Young University, Provo, USA. michael_larson@byu.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation and reduced heart rate variability (HRV), potentially affecting cognition. This study tested whether HRV biofeedback (HRV-B) improved resting HRV and stress recovery in individuals with TBI compared to sham control. We also examined whether HRV changes related to physical symptoms, emotional well-being, cognitive performance, and adherence. Fifty-eight participants with TBI enrolled; 49 completed the study (HRV-B: 25, mean age 27.1; sham: 24, mean age 26.6). Participants attended five weekly sessions. Assessments included cognitive, emotional, and physical outcomes. HRV metrics (HF, LF, LF/HF, SDNN, RMSSD) were collected via electrocardiogram. The HRV-B group showed a higher LF/HF ratio at rest (F(1, 43) = 9.38, p = 0.004) and during stress recovery (F(1, 172) = 4.27, p = 0.040) than sham. A group-by-session interaction (F(1, 172) = 4.18, p = 0.04) indicated an LF/HF increase over time for HRV-B. Condition effects for HF (log), RMSSD, and SDNN at rest favored sham but disappeared after adjusting for pre-assessment values. LF (log) showed no significant effects. Both groups improved in Fluid Cognition and Total Composite scores, with no between-group differences. Anxiety and depression decreased over sessions, with greater depression improvement in HRV-B. No group effects emerged for stress or life satisfaction. HRV-B increased LF/HF ratio at rest and during stressor recovery, possibly reflecting baroreflex engagement. However, other HRV condition effects attenuated after adjusting for baseline values. Cognitive and emotional gains were observed in both groups.

Indexed as

Autonomic Nervous SystemBiofeedback, PsychologyBrain Injuries, TraumaticHeart RateStress, PsychologicalAdultFemaleHumansMaleYoung AdultBiofeedbackConcussionHeart rate variability (HRV)Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Identifiers

PMID40828260

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.