Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Heart Rate Variability

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the beat-to-beat variation in the intervals between successive heartbeats, reflecting the dynamic regulation of cardiac rhythm by the autonomic nervous system. It indexes the balance and interplay between sympathetic and parasympathetic, predominantly vagal, influences, and it is quan…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 12 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 77× across the literature 🗓 Reviewed June 2026

Overview

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the beat-to-beat variation in the intervals between successive heartbeats, reflecting the dynamic regulation of cardiac rhythm by the autonomic nervous system. It indexes the balance and interplay between sympathetic and parasympathetic, predominantly vagal, influences, and it is quantified through time-domain, frequency-domain, and nonlinear measures derived from electrocardiographic or pulse recordings. Because reduced or altered HRV is associated with autonomic dysregulation, stress, and cardiovascular risk, it serves both as a physiological marker and as a target for interventions that enhance self-regulation. Research in this area examines how mind-body and relaxation practices influence HRV and mood, including the effects of Himalayan singing-bowl meditation and comparisons with supine silence on stress indices, and the role of conscious, slow breathing such as pranayama. Biofeedback interventions targeting HRV, hardware systems for evaluating functional state, and the relationship of HRV to sleep quality and its objective measurement are recurring themes. Studies also situate HRV within broader autonomic and cardiovascular contexts, including vagus-nerve approaches, the effects of smoking and vaping on the cardiovascular system, and nutritional and clinical conditions that affect autonomic function. By linking autonomic physiology to behaviour, stress, and clinical state, the field informs assessment and intervention. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research on heart rate variability and its psychophysiological correlates and applications.

Research published in this journal

12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 12 articles above have been cited 77 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Heart Rate Variability, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Psychophysiology Practice and Research.

Journal editorial board
Parsa Ravanfar · United States Rossella Di Monaco · Italy Volker Zschorlich · Germany

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.