Title | Heart rate variability biofeedback reduces food cravings in high food cravers. | ||
Author | Meule, Adrian; Freund, Rebecca; Skirde, Ann Kathrin; Vogele, Claus; Kubler, Andrea | ||
Journal | Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback | Publication Year/Month | 2012-Dec |
PMID | 22688890 | PMCID | -N/A- |
Affiliation | 1.Department of Psychology I, University of Wurzburg, Marcusstrasse 9-11, Wurzburg, Germany. adrian.meule@uni-wuerzburg.de. |
Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback has been reported to increase HRV while decreasing symptoms in patients with mental disorders. In addition, associations between low HRV and lowered self-regulation were found in non-clinical samples, e.g., in individuals with strong chocolate cravings or unsuccessful dieting. The current study aimed at decreasing food cravings with HRV-biofeedback in individuals frequently experiencing such cravings. Participants (N = 56) with strong or low food cravings associated with a lack of control over eating were selected from the local community. Half of the participants with strong cravings (craving-biofeedback; n = 14) performed 12 sessions of HRV-biofeedback while the other half (craving-control; n = 14) and a group with low cravings (non-craving-control; n = 28) received no intervention. Subjective food cravings related to a lack of control over eating decreased from pre- to post-measurement in the craving-biofeedback group, but remained constant in the control groups. Moreover, only the craving-biofeedback group showed a decrease in eating and weight concerns. Although HRV-biofeedback was successful in reducing food cravings, this change was not accompanied by an increase in HRV. Instead, HRV decreased in the craving-control group. This study provides preliminary evidence that HRV-biofeedback could be beneficial for attenuating dysfunctional eating behavior although specific mechanisms remain to be elucidated.