---
title: Effectiveness of emWave biofeedback in improving heart rate variability reactivity to and recovery from stress. - Limitless Mindset
description: The current study examined the efficacy of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback using emWave, a publicly available biofeedback device, to determine whether training affected physiological tone and stress responses.
author: Jonathan Roseland
url: https://www.limitlessmindset.com/scientific-studies/924-effectiveness-of-emwave-biofeedback
---

# Effectiveness of emWave biofeedback in improving heart rate variability reactivity to and recovery from stress.

[![Effectiveness of emWave biofeedback in improving heart rate variability reactivity to and recovery from stress.](https://www.limitlessmindset.com/data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)](https://www.limitlessmindset.com/media/reviews/photos/original/51/69/1f/effectiveness-of-emwave-biofeedback-in-improving-heart-rate-variability-reactivity-to-and-recovery-from-stress-97-1405634254.webp "Effectiveness of emWave biofeedback in improving heart rate variability reactivity to and recovery from stress.")

# Abstract

The current study examined the efficacy of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback using emWave, a publicly available biofeedback device, to determine whether training affected physiological tone and stress responses. Twenty-seven individuals aged 18-30 years were randomized to a treatment or no-treatment control group. Treatment participants underwent 4-8 sessions of emWave intervention, and all participants attended pre-treatment and post-treatment assessment sessions during which acute stressors were administered. Physiological data were collected at rest, during stress, and following stress. emWave treatment did not confer changes in tonic measures of HRV or in HRV recovery following stress. However, treatment participants exhibited higher parasympathetic responses (i.e., pNN50) during stress presentations at the post-treatment session than their control counterparts. No treatment effects were evident on self-reported measures of stress, psychological symptoms, or affect. Overall, results from the current study suggest that the emWave may confer some limited treatment effects by increasing HRV during exposure to stress. Additional development and testing of the emWave treatment protocol is necessary before it can be recommended for regular use in clinical settings, including the determination of what physiological changes are clinically meaningful during HRV biofeedback training.

### Scientific Studies & Papers

Author of Study or Paper

Whited A, Larkin KT, Whited M.

Source

Department of Psychology, East Carolina University

Date Published

2014 in Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback.

About Study

- Randomized
- Human Study

Scientific Link

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=%22emwave%22%5BTitle%5D

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