Dr Diann Sanford, Psy.D, LPC - Therapist & AuthorAuthor: Dr. Diann Sanford, Psy.D, LPC

In this article, this author explores ADHD and the brain and body connection, and the implications this has in the treatment of ADHD with Heart Rate Variability.  HRV biofeedback or training is a a non-medication treatment approach in the management of ADHD symptoms using heart rate variability, HRV.

Brain and Body Connection

Clinical improvement of ADHD increases sympathetic domination and reduces parasympathetic domination, causing the sympathovagal balance to tilt towards the sympathetic section, which shows in HRV analysis (Dogra et al., 2018). Thus, HRV shows the linkage between mental processes and autonomic regulation (Dogra et al., 2018). Preschool children with ADHD were examined for sympathetic-linked cardiac activity, reactivity and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), an index of parasympathetic – linked cardiac activity (Beauchanine et al., 2013). Children who showed reduced baseline RSA and greater RSA withdrawal scored lower on prosocial behavior before and after treatment. Additionally, those children who displayed greater RSA withdrawal scored lower on emotion regulation before and after treatment (Beauchanine et al., 2013).

Recently, researchers have shown that a change in mental state can affect the autonomic nervous system, showing children with ADHD have a sympathetic under arousal and a parasympathetic overarousal (Dogra, et al., 2018). ADHD is marked by decreased attention span, impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and autonomic nervous system imbalances (Wajnsztejn et al., 2015). An increase in chaotic activity in children with ADHD can be seen by analyzing the HRV (Wajnsztejn et al., 2015).  ADHD individuals have been found to have an HRV with a greater 0.10 Hz component, which is associated with poor test performance over time (Borger et al., 1999).

Implications

Slow, deep lower abdominal breathing has been central to Asian cultural practices and has served as a powerful tool for transformation and healing (Deadman, 2018). Recently, mindfulness meditation has been shown to improve self-control, self-regulation, and improve attention, as well as help with the core ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity (Tang & Tang, 2015). Clinical improvement of ADHD increases sympathetic domination and reduces parasympathetic domination, causing the sympathovagal balance to tilt towards the sympathetic section, which shows in HRV analysis (Dogra et al., 2018). Thus, HRV shows the linkage between mental processes and autonomic regulation (Dogra et al., 2018), improved coherent heart rhythm, and diminished symptoms of ADHD.  

“Recently, mindfulness meditation has been shown to improve self-control, self-regulation, and improve attention, as well as help with the core ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity”

– Dr. Diann Sanford, Psy.D, LPC

References

  • Beauchanine, T. P., Gatzke-Kopp, L., Neuhaus, E., Chipman, J., Reid, M. J., & Webster-Stratton, C. (2013). Sympathetic and parasympathetic linked cardiac function and prediction of externalizing behavior, emotion regulation, and prosocial behavior among preschoolers treated for ADHD. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 81(3), 481-493. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0032302
  • Deadman, P. (2018). The transformative power of deep, slow breathing. Journal of Chinese Medicine, 116, 56-62. Retrieved from https://www.journalofchinesemedicine.com/the-transformative-power-of-deep-slow-breathing.html
  • Dogra, P., Mondal, S., Bandhu, R., Kataria, D., & Ramesh V, O. S. (2018). Correlation between Conner’s parent rating score and HRV in ADHD children treated with methylphenidate. International Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences Research (IJDMSR), 2(6), 44-49.
  • Deadman, P. (2018). The transformative power of deep, slow breathing. Journal of Chinese Medicine, 116, 56-62. Retrieved from https://www.journalofchinesemedicine.com/the-transformative-power-of-deep-slow-breathing.html
  • Dogra, P., Mondal, S., Bandhu, R., Kataria, D., & Ramesh V, O. S. (2018). Correlation between Conner’s parent rating score and HRV in ADHD children treated with methylphenidate. International Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences Research (IJDMSR), 2(6), 44-49.
  • McCraty, R., Atkinson, M., Tomasino, D., & Bradley, R. T. (2009). The coherent heart:  heart-brain interactions, psychophysiological coherence, and the emergence of system-wide order. Integral Review, 5(2), 13-73.
  • Tang, Y., & Tang, R. (2015). Mindfulness Meditation – A new preventive intervention for ADHD. INTECH, 294-300. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/61213
  • Wajnsztejn, R., Carvalho, T. D., Garner, D. M., Vanderlei, L. C., Godoy, M. F., Raimundo, R. D., & Ferreira, C. (2015, June 2). Heart rate variability analysis by chaotic global techniques in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Complexity. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cplx.21700