Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the clinical trial involved 73 Australian adults diagnosed with both PTSD and chronic pain. Participants who completed a six-week HRV biofeedback program showed a 24% reduction in PTSD symptoms and nearly 25% improvement in pain-related interference, compared to no clinical improvements in the waitlist control group.

HRV biofeedback helps people calm their nervous system by showing their heart rate in real time through an app connected to a chest sensor.

Lead author and Ph.D. student, Thea Chadwick, from Murdoch’s School of Psychology, said the findings highlight the importance of targeting the body’s autonomic regulation to improve emotional and physical health.