Observational studyPediatric rheumatology online journal2025
Heart rate variability (HRV) in juvenile fibromyalgia: a preliminary study.
Observational study in Pediatric rheumatology online journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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.
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.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Acupoint Sensitivity in Patients with Primary Insomnia and Its Correlation with Polysomnography and Heart Rate Variability: A Cross-Sectional Study.Nature and science of sleep · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundJuvenile fibromyalgia (JFM) is a chronic pain condition affecting children and adolescents, often accompanied by emotional distress. Evidence suggests that autonomic dysregulation, as measured by reduced heart rate variability (HRV), may play a key role in symptom expression. This study aimed to explore clinical, emotional, and physiological differences between children with and without JFM.
methodsThis observational cross-sectional study enrolled 30 participants aged 8 to 17, divided into two equal groups based on JFM diagnosis according to ACR 2010 criteria. Clinical evaluation included Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children - Second Edition (MASC-2). HRV coherence was measured using the emWave Pro system. Group comparisons were analyzed using non-parametric Wilcoxon tests. Correlations were assessed with Spearman's rank-order test, and logistic regression was used to examine HRV as a predictor of JFM.
resultsChildren with JFM showed significantly higher levels of pain and anxiety compared to controls (p < 0.001), and significantly lower HRV coherence (mean 0.91 vs. 1.27; p < 0.01). Inverse correlations were found between HRV and symptom severity (WPI, SSS) as well as anxiety levels.
conclusionsReduced HRV coherence is associated with greater symptom burden and psychological distress in children with JFM. These preliminary findings suggest that HRV may represent a potential biomarker in pediatric fibromyalgia, but larger and more robust studies are required before drawing firm conclusions. HRV biofeedback may offer a supportive, non-pharmacological approach for improving autonomic regulation and managing chronic pain in youth.
trial registrationNot applicable. This observational study was not registered as it did not involve a healthcare intervention.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.