People experiencing homelessness report increased exposure to traumatic life events and higher rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder as compared with the general population. Heart rate variability-biofeedback (HRV-BF) has been shown to decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. However, HRV-BF has not been tested with the most vulnerable of populations, homeless adults. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effectiveness of an HRV-BF intervention versus a Health Promotion (HP) active control intervention focused on improving mental health symptoms among homeless adults. Guided by a community advisory board, homeless adults residing in Skid Row, Los Angeles (n = 40) were randomized to either the HRV-BF or an active HP control group and received eight weekly, 30-min sessions over two months, delivered by a nurse-led community health worker team. Dependent variables of HRV, mental health, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were measured at baseline, the 8-week session, and/or 2-month follow-up. All intervention sessions were completed by 90% (36/40) of participants. Both the HRV-BF and HP interventions showed significant increases in HRV from baseline to 2-month follow-up, with no significant difference between the intervention groups. The HRV-BF programme revealed a somewhat greater, although non-significant, improvement in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms than the HP programme. The usefulness of both interventions, focused on emotional and physical health, warrants future studies to examine the value of a combined HRV-BF and HP intervention.

中文翻译：

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生物反馈减少无家可归者心理和生理压力的随机对照试验

与普通人群相比，无家可归者报告说，他们更多地接触到创伤性生活事件，并且抑郁、焦虑和创伤后应激障碍的发生率更高。心率变异性生物反馈 (HRV-BF) 已被证明可以减轻压力、焦虑、抑郁和创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 症状。然而，HRV-BF 尚未在最脆弱的人群（无家可归的成年人）中进行测试。这项随机对照试验的目的是比较 HRV-BF 干预措施与健康促进 (HP) 主动控制干预措施的有效性，重点是改善无家可归成年人的心理健康症状。在社区咨询委员会的指导下，居住在洛杉矶贫民窟的无家可归成年人 ( n  = 40) 被随机分为 HRV-BF 组或活跃 HP 对照组，并在两个月内接受每周 8 次、每次 30 分钟的课程，课程由由护士领导的社区卫生工作者团队。在基线、8 周疗程和/或 2 个月随访时测量 HRV、心理健康、焦虑、抑郁和 PTSD 的因变量。90% (36/40) 的参与者完成了所有干预课程。HRV-BF 和 HP 干预均显示 HRV 从基线到 2 个月随访均显着增加，但干预组之间没有显着差异。HRV-BF 计划显示，与 HP 计划相比，焦虑、抑郁和 PTSD 症状的改善程度虽然不显着，但有所改善。这两种干预措施均侧重于情绪和身体健康，其有效性值得未来研究来检验 HRV-BF 和 HP 联合干预的价值。