Effects of HRV Biofeedback, Interoceptive Training, and Mindfulness on Stress in University Students and Staff
NCT ID: NCT06695715
Last Updated: 2024-11-19
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
120 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-01-31
2026-02-28
Brief Summary
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* Does HRV-BF training reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and cause measurable brain changes in participants?
* Does Mindfulness training reduce perceived stress, improve mental health, and lead to changes in brain activity?
* Does Interoception training enhance emotional self-regulation, reduce stress, and produce changes in brain function?
* How do the effects on the brain compare between the different types of training (HRV-BF, Mindfulness, and Interoception)?
If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare participants who receive HRV-BF, Mindfulness, and Interoception training to a waitlist control group to see if any of these interventions lead to greater reductions in stress, improvement in emotional regulation, or brain activity changes.
Participants will:
* Complete pre- and post-training assessments to measure stress levels, anxiety, emotional regulation, and brain activity using EEG (electroencephalography).
* Participate in one of three interventions:
HRV-BF training, where participants learn to use biofeedback to improve heart rate variability and manage stress.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction, which involves meditation and mindful awareness techniques to reduce stress and improve mental health.
Interoception training, where participants learn to focus on internal bodily signals (like heartbeat and breath) to improve emotional regulation and manage stress.
Each intervention will last six weeks, and participants will be assessed at the beginning and end of the program. This study aims to determine which intervention is most effective at reducing stress, improving mental health, and producing beneficial changes in brain activity in university community members.
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Detailed Description
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Although the scientific evidence on the benefits of HRV-BF (Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback), MBPs (Mindfulness-Based Programs), and ITPs (Interoception Training Programs) in relation to stress reduction is more than notable, to the best of our knowledge, there are no randomized experimental studies analyzing the effectiveness of HRV-BF, MBPs, and ITPs in the prevention and/or reduction of stress that rely on the evaluation of variables of different natures: psychological, neuropsychological, psychophysiological, and neurophysiological. Furthermore, it would be of great interest to conduct a long-term evaluation of the effects of these training programs.
The aim of this project is to analyze the impact of a HRV-BF training program, an MBP, and an ITP among members of the University of Seville community, evaluating their effects on stress in both women and men through neuropsychological, psychophysiological, and brain activity measures.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
NONE
Study Groups
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Mindfulness
The Mindfulness Training program will be based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindful Awareness practices, but will also include elements of self-compassion and acceptance.
Intervention: During the six weeks of the program, participants will take part in a guided 45-minute formal session. Examples of formal guided meditations include mindfulness of breath and mindfulness of thoughts, feelings, and physiological sensations. Informal meditation practices will consist of brief pauses throughout the day, during which participants will voluntarily direct their attention to the present moment without judgment. Finally, participants will be provided with 10 audio recordings of guided meditations, recorded by a member of the research team, to support formal meditation at home (10-15 minutes four times a week), as well as a series of readings focused on the concepts of acceptance and self-compassion.
Mindfulness Training Program
This mindfulness training program is based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, incorporating elements of self-compassion and acceptance. What sets this program apart is its integration of both formal and informal practices. Participants engage in 45-minute guided sessions focused on breath awareness and the observation of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Additionally, informal practices include brief daily moments of present-moment awareness. Participants will also receive 10 audio recordings for at-home practice, enhancing the program's accessibility and supporting consistency.
HRV Biofeedback Training (HRV-BF)
The HRV BF training will last for 6 weeks. There will be five training sessions per week, including four home sessions and one in-person session at the Neurociencia del Bienestar group laboratory (CTS-1129) at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Seville. Each session will last 20 minutes. The laboratory session will be conducted using the Procomp Infiniti biofeedback equipment (Thought Technologies). For the home HRV-BF sessions, we will use a novel methodology recently described (Schumann et al., 2021). The heart rate will be recorded using a sensor embedded in a strap that will be worn around the participant's chest (H10/H7 heart rate sensor; Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland). Via Bluetooth, the mobile app EliteHRV (Elite HRV LLC, 2017) will collect data from the sensor, store the recordings, and display the heart rate. The heart rate oscillations will be shown on the participants' smartphone screens as real-time visual feedback of their heart rate.
HRV Biofeedback
This HRV biofeedback training program is distinguished by its combination of advanced technology and a novel at-home methodology. Participants will engage in five weekly sessions, with four conducted at home using a heart rate sensor and the EliteHRV mobile app, which provides real-time feedback on heart rate variability. One session per week will take place in the lab, utilizing the Procomp Infiniti biofeedback system. The at-home approach is based on recent research (Schumann et al., 2021), offering participants a flexible yet structured method to practice biofeedback and improve heart rate variability over the six-week program.
Interoceptive Training
During the 6 weeks of the program, participants in this group will complete a 45-minute formal guided interoceptive training session at the Faculty of Psychology. During these sessions, the focus will be on developing internal body awareness through various strategies. Participants will learn to pay attention to internal sensations such as breathing and muscle tension using guided techniques. The program will include exercises to feel the flow of breath and relax specific areas of the body. The trainer will provide feedback and adjust techniques based on the participants' needs. Instructions will be given on how to integrate these practices into daily life to improve self-care and self-regulation. Finally, participants will be provided with 10 audio recordings of guided interoceptive exercises, recorded by a member of the research team, to support formal training at home (10-15 minutes, four times a week).
Interoception Training
The interoception training program stands out by its focus on developing internal body awareness through structured guided sessions. Participants will engage in weekly 45-minute formal sessions at the university, where they will learn to focus on internal sensations like breath and muscle tension using specific techniques. Additionally, participants will receive 10 guided interoceptive exercises to practice at home, four times a week. This program not only focuses on the physical sensations but also integrates these practices into daily life, aiming to improve self-care and self-regulation over the six weeks, with personalized feedback provided.
Waiting list control group
Participants assigned to the waitlist control group will be key to ensuring the validity and reliability of the results of this project, allowing for precise and controlled comparisons of the effectiveness of the different training programs. These participants will also be evaluated at the beggining and the end, even though they will not participate in any training program. Once the program is completed, they will be offered the opportunity to participate in some of the training programs used in this project.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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Mindfulness Training Program
This mindfulness training program is based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, incorporating elements of self-compassion and acceptance. What sets this program apart is its integration of both formal and informal practices. Participants engage in 45-minute guided sessions focused on breath awareness and the observation of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Additionally, informal practices include brief daily moments of present-moment awareness. Participants will also receive 10 audio recordings for at-home practice, enhancing the program's accessibility and supporting consistency.
HRV Biofeedback
This HRV biofeedback training program is distinguished by its combination of advanced technology and a novel at-home methodology. Participants will engage in five weekly sessions, with four conducted at home using a heart rate sensor and the EliteHRV mobile app, which provides real-time feedback on heart rate variability. One session per week will take place in the lab, utilizing the Procomp Infiniti biofeedback system. The at-home approach is based on recent research (Schumann et al., 2021), offering participants a flexible yet structured method to practice biofeedback and improve heart rate variability over the six-week program.
Interoception Training
The interoception training program stands out by its focus on developing internal body awareness through structured guided sessions. Participants will engage in weekly 45-minute formal sessions at the university, where they will learn to focus on internal sensations like breath and muscle tension using specific techniques. Additionally, participants will receive 10 guided interoceptive exercises to practice at home, four times a week. This program not only focuses on the physical sensations but also integrates these practices into daily life, aiming to improve self-care and self-regulation over the six weeks, with personalized feedback provided.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Be able to attend at least five of the six weeks of the Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV-BF) and Mindfulness (PEM) training programs
* Have a smartphone.
Exclusion Criteria
18 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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University of Seville
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Francisco M. Ocaña Campos
PhD. Associate Professor of Psychobiology. Principal Investigator of the Wellness Neuroscience Group-
Principal Investigators
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Francisco M Ocaña, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Wellness Neuroscience Group. University of Seville
Locations
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Faculty Of Psychology. University of Seville
Seville, Seville, Spain
Countries
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Central Contacts
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References
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Other Identifiers
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SICEIA-2024-002431
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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