27th Annual Student Research Conference
HRV Biofeedback Training Raises Temperature and Lowers Skin Conductance
Christopher L. Zerr*, Christopher P. Williams, Samantha Gorden, and Megan Todd
Dr. Fred Shaffer, Faculty Mentor
The present mixed-design study explored whether HRV biofeedback training can indirectly raise hand temperature and lower skin conductance level (SCL). Twenty-one undergraduates (7 male, 14 female), 18-22 years of age, were pre-assessed on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), matched on STAI scores, and randomly assigned to four sessions of either HRV or temperature biofeedback (TEMP). The HRV group, alone, increased the SDNN (standard deviation of all NN intervals) from session 1 (69.3 ms) to session 4 (93.8 ms). The TEMP group increased hand temperature from session 1 (88.8oF) to session 4 (92.2oF). The HRV group also increased hand temperature from session 1 (90.2oF) to session 4 (94.3oF), and achieved greater session 4 post-baseline hand temperatures (93.9oF) than the TEMP group (92.2oF), even with correction for pre-baseline differences. Finally, despite no SCL feedback or practice, the HRV group also reduced SCL from session 1 (5.8 uS) to session 4 (2.3 uS).
Keywords: heart rate variability, temperature, skin conductance, state-trait anxiety
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 408-4
Location: MG 2001
Time: 3:15