In the hands of mental health professionals Heart Rhythm Coherence Feedback (HRV) is a powerful educational tool that facilitates rapid and profound improvements in individuals with conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which affects between 5 percent and 15 percent of the U.S. population.

HeartMath Coherence-Building Techniques

Based on findings and related research on the extensive interactions between the heart and brain, the Institute of HeartMath developed a set of positive emotion-focused techniques that foster physiological coherence which significantly improves ADHD symptoms. These techniques combine a shift in the focus of attention to the area around the heart (where many people subjectively feel positive emotions) with a self-intentional, sincere, positive emotional state such as appreciation. Such a shift in focus and feeling serves to prevent or reduce the stress response and increase heart rhythm coherence, which results in a change in the pattern of cardiac input sent to the cognitive and emotional centers in the brain.

The coupling of a more organized pattern with an intentionally self-generated feeling of appreciation reinforces the natural conditioned response between the physiological state and the positive emotion. This subsequently strengthens the ability of a positive feeling shift to initiate a physiological shift toward increased coherence and the experience of a positive emotion. With practice, new coherent patterns become increasingly familiar to the brain and nervous system, thus establishing in the neural architecture a new, stable norm.
 
An HRV feedback system enables physiological coherence to be objectively monitored and quantified, as well as viewed in real time. As users practice coherence-building techniques, they can see and experience changes in their heart rhythm patterns, which generally become more regular, smoother and more wavelike as they enter the coherent mode. This process enables individuals to easily develop an association between a shift to a more healthful and beneficial physiological mode and the positive internal feeling experience that induces such a shift.

The coherence level is fed back to the user as an accumulated score in playing one of three colorful on-screen games designed to reinforce coherence-building skills. The system stores results and track progress.

Monica Robles, M.D., located at 2335 Tamiami Tr. N. Ste. 408 in Naples, specializes in child, adolescent and family psychiatry. For appointments, call 239-784-2297.