Motivation and emotion/Book/2024/Heart rate variability and emotion regulation

Heart rate variability and emotion regulation:
How can HRV monitoring be used to regulate emotion?

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Overview

Figure 1. A person in the spotlight staring at the audience as their mind goes blank

Imagine, standing up on a wide stage, the spotlight finding their way swiftly to the middle right where your standing. Your heart is pounding heavily and your palms drenched in sweat. You can feel yourself becoming overcome with stress as your mind goes completely blank. All you can see is a million pairs of eyes staring at you expecting the worst. You had tried everything you could right then to calm the fast rhythms of you heart, from deep breathing to visualising the crowd in front of you in a funny way, however none of this seemed to help.

This is when the monitoring of heart rate variability comes into assist. This book chapter introduces how learning about your heart rate variability can aid to monitor emotion regulation.The ability to be flexible and to respond to complex changes in an environment is important for adaptation to environmental challenges and emotion regulation (Aldao et al., 2015). The responses to such situational demands lead to changes in emotional states and physiological factors such as elevation and reduction to heart rates (Egbuniwe et al., 2023). Heart rate variability (HRV) has been recognised as a useful tool in medical research and psychological investigations and can be considered a transdiagnostic biomarker related with emotion regulation abilities (Franquillo et al., 2021). By learning the variation of your heart rate variability, you can gain an understanding of your emotional states and learn how to regulate it.

Figure 1. Explore the topic, then brainstorm a structure.

The Overview should start with an engaging scenario or case study which illustrates the problem and engages reader interest. Ideally, also include an image (e.g., see Figure 1). Present the scenario in a feature box. The feature box colour can be changed.

Imagine the following scenario: A scenario or case study (real or fictional) in a feature box At least 3 dot points outlining the "problem" (i.e., explain the key concepts and importance of the topic) which will be expanded into sentences and paragraphs for the book chapter 3 to 5 focus questions that unpack the topic and address the sub-title in a feature box

This template provides tips for the topic development exercise. Gradually remove these suggestions as the chapter develops. It is OK to retain some of this template content for the topic development exercise. Also consult the book chapter guidelines.

The Overview is typically consists of one to four paragraphs inbetween the scenario and focus questions. Suggested word count aim for the Overview: 180 to 330 words.

- add case study!

Key Points:

Engage the reader with a scenario, example, or case study, and an accompanying image
Explain the problem and why it is important
Outline how psychological science can help
Present focus questions

Focus questions:

What are the theories of heart rate variability?
What is the process model of emotion regulation?
How does the different heart rate variabilities regulate emotions?
What can be used to monitor fluctuations in heart rate?

Ask open-ended focus questions. For example:

Is there a relationship between motivation and success? (closed-ended)
What is the relationship between motivation and success? (open-ended)

What is heart rate variability?

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is studied as a correlate of emotion. A central part of this system is the heart rate variability, referring to a the beat-to-beat change in the heart over time (Quintana & Heathers, 2014).

Heart rate variability (HRV for short) is a reflection of many physiological factors that modulate the normal rhythm of the heart.
It reflects the hearts ability to adapt to changing circumstances by detecting and quickly responding to unpredictable stimuli and emotions (Rajendra Acharya et al., 2006).
HRV reflects much the state of the heart as the state of the brain. There are two theories that demonstrate this: the Polyvagal Theory and the Neurovisceral Integration Model (Ernst, 2017).

Polyvagal theory

The Polyvagal Theory establishes that heart rate variability provides a sensitive marker of ones ability to respond and recognise social cues (Quintana et al., 2012).
The theory suggests that the physiological state dictates the range of behaviour and psychological experiences. Reduces variability according to the Polyvagal theory represent a fundamental homeostasis mechanism in a pathological state (Ernst, 2017).

Neurovisceral integration model

Proposes that physiological, emotion and cognitive regulation processes are similar to each other in the service of goal-directed behaviour and adapting to changing environments (Grol & De Raedt, 2020).
Model suggests that HRV is an index of the capacity for the central autonomic network, - which includes the brainstem, hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex - to adjust to environmental demands (Quintana & Heathers, 2014).
Summarises the relationship between the central nervous system and cardiac activity as indexed by heart rate variability (Thayer, 2009).

What is emotion regulation?

The term 'emotion regulation' is used to describe a person ability to effectively manage and respond to an emotional experience (Rolston & Lloyd-Richardson,n.d).

Figure 2. Process model of emotion regulation

It can be defined as the extrinsic and intrinsic processes responsible for monitoring, evaluating and modifying emotional reactions (Fantini-Hauwel et al., 2020).
Emotions can be recognised based on a physiological signals such as heart rate. With this, it can be aided to predict human emotion (Balbin et al., 2017)
Examples of emotion regulation include decreasing or increasing either negative or positive emotion.
However, decreasing negative emotion seems to be the most common (Gross, 2015).
The process model of emotion regulation consists of 5 regulatory processes by which responses to emotional experiences might be regulated: situation selection, situation modification, attention deployment, cognitive change and response modulation (see Figure 2 and Table 1) (Gurera & Isaacowitz, 2019).

Table 1. Explains Each Process with an Example - Process Model of Emotion Regulation


Process Model of Emotion Regulation
Process	Description	Example
Situation Selection	Situation selection involves choosing situations based on their likely emotional impact and may be less cognitively taxing or challenging to implement compared to other strategies for emotion regulation (Webb et al., 2018).
Situation Modification	Situation modification strategy entails purposefully changing our circumstances to advantage (Duckworth et al., 2017).	First, warned by the goddess Circe of the fatal allure of the Sirens, whose island he would sail past on his journey home; Odysseus preemptively plugs the ears of his oarsmen so they will be deaf to the their song (Duckworth et al., 2017). edit paragraph
Attention Deployment (distraction & concentration)	Attention deployment is a strategy where individuals regulate feelings by changing focus of attention towards non-emotional aspects of a situation (Nunez et al., 2020)
Cognitive Change (reappraisal)	Cognitive change involves how one thinks about the current situation to alter how they feel about it (Uusberg et al., 2019).
Response Modulation (suppression	Response modulation refers to the efforts to modify an emotion after it has been fully generated (Gross et al., 2014)

Relationship between HRV and emotion regulation

Several studies have identified the correlation between heart rate variability and emotion regulation (Cattaneo et al., 2021).
The ease with which once can transition between high and low arousal states is dependent on heart rate variability and so emotion regulation critically depends on ones ability to adjust physiological arousal on a momentary basis (Appelhans & Luecken, 2006).
Flexible autonomic nervous system (ANS) allow for rapid generation or modulation of emotional states in accordance with situational demands (Appelhans & Luecken, 2006).
Those with high heart rate variability tend to have better emotional well-being in contrast with low heart rate variability (Mather & Thayer, 2019).
Research indicate emotion regulation and HRV are associated via common brain regions (Thayer et al., 2012).

Tables

Use to organise and summarise information
As with figures, tables should be captioned
Refer to each table at least once in the main text (e.g., see Table 1)
Example 3 x 3 tables which could be adapted

Table 1. Descriptive Caption Which Explains The Table and its Relevant to the Text - Johari Window Model

	Known to self	Not known to self
Known to others	Open area	Blind spot
Not known to others	Hidden area	Unknown

Quizzes

Using one or two review questions per major section is usually better than a long quiz at the end
Quiz conceptual understanding, rather than trivia
Don't make quizzes too hard
Different types of quiz questions are possible; see Quiz

Example simple quiz questions. Choose your answers and click "Submit":

How does heart rate variability monitor for emotion regulation?

The brain and heart are connected via the autonomic nervous system which indirectly influences each others behaviour. The connection of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS )thus emotional experience cause some changes in heart rhythm which can be detected through various methods of biofeedback (Hasnul et al., 2021).
The individual differences in heart rate variability can serve as an index of an individuals self-regulatory abilities and physiological responses to stressful life events (Carnevali et al., 2018)
Identifying differences and patterns in HRV can be used to understand the risk and resilience patterns that impact how individuals adapt to stress (Sbarra & Borelli, 2013).

High heart rate and emotion regulation

During physical or psychological stress, activity of the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, producing physiological arousal to aid in adapting to the challenge. An increased pulse, or heart rate is characteristic of this arousal (Appelhans & Luecken, 2006).

Low heart rate and emotion regulation

Lower heart rate variability and difficulties in emotion regulation are characteristics of certain psychopathological states (Thayer & Lane, 2007).
Trait anxiety is associated with both lower heart rate variability and emotion regulation capabilities. These are characteristic of major psychopathological disorders such as major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress (Friedman & Thayer, 1998).

Resting heart rate and emotions

A resting heart rate variability is considered a biomarker of stress resilience and reflects the ability to effectively regulate emotions in a changing environment (Makovac et al., 2022)

Monitoring fluctuations

Biofeedback:

ECG

Smart Bracelet

During our everyday life we are constantly regulation our emotions, but in some cases emotions can take control and then it becomes too difficult to regulate them effectively, for e.g. anxiety, an emotion characterised by tension, worried thoughts and physical changed liked increased heart rate (Costa et al., 2016).
Among the physiological signals heart rate is the easiest to collect using various devices such as a smart bracelet or electrocardiography etc. Humans can hide emotions and not show up in facial expressions and physical movements, but heart rate can be difficult to control (Chen et al., 2020).
Biofeedback is valuable because it consistently feeds back relevant information about the current physiological state and reaction evoked by specific stimuli or situations to the individuals (Fredrikson et al., 2014).
In emotional situation, biofeedback has been used in clinical settings to train individuals to control their heart rate and influence it during later tasks that may cause arousal such as speaking in public (Gatchel & Proctor., 1976).

Conclusion

The Conclusion is arguably the most important section
Suggested word count: 150 to 330 words
It should be possible for someone to only read the Overview and the Conclusion and still get a pretty good idea of the problem and what is known based on psychological science

References

Aldao, A., Sheppes, G., & J. Gross. (2015). Emotion Regulation Flexibility. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 39(1), 263-278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-014-9662-4

Appelhans, M. B., & Luecken, J. L. (2006). Heart Rate Variability as an Index of Regulated Emotional Responding. Review of General Psychology, 10(3), 229-240. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.10.3.229

Balbin, R.J., Pinugu, J. N. J., Basco, A. JS., Cabanada, M. B., Gonzales, P, MV., Marasigan, J. CC., & Sejera, M. M. (2017). Development of scientific system for assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients using physiological sensors and feature extraction for emotional state analysis. International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment and Management. https://doi.org/10.1109/HNICEM.2017.8269424

Cattaneo, L. A., Franquillo, A, C., Grecucci, A., Beccia, L., Caretti, C., & Dadomo, H. (2021). Is Low Heart Rate Variability Associated with Emotional Dysregulation, Psychopathological Dimensions, and Prefrontal Dysfunctions? An Integrative View. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 11(9), 872. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11090872

Carnevali, L., Koeing, J., Sgoifo, A., & Ottaviani, C. (2018). Autonomic and Brain Morphological Predictors of Stress Resilience. Frontiers in Neurscience, 12, 228. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00228

Chen, W., Yu, Y., Shu, L., Hua, H., Li, Q., Jin, J., & Xu, X. (2020). Wearable Emotion Recognition Using Heart Rate Data from a Smart Bracelet. Sensors (Basel), 20(3), 718. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20030718

Costa, J., Adams, A. T., Jung, A. F., Guimbretiere, F., Choudhury, T. (2016). Emotion Check: Leveraging Bodily Signals and False Feedback to Regulate our Emotions. UBICOMP. https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/2971648.2971752

Duckworth, A. L., Gendler, TS., & Gross, J. J. (2016). Situational Strategies for Self-Control. Perspectives Psychological Science, 11(1), 33-55. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691615623247

Egbuniwe, I., Tupitsa, E., Lloyd, W. K., Puertollano, M., Macdonald, B., Joanknecht, K., Sakaki, M., & van Reekum, CM. (2023). Heart rate variability covaries with amygdala functional connectivity during voluntary emotion regulation. NeuroImage, 274, 2-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120136

Ernst, G. (2017). Heart-Rate Variability–More than Heart Beats?. Frontiers in Public Health, 5(1), 240. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00240

Fantini-Hauwel, C., Battle, E., Gois, C., & Noel, X. (2020). Emotion Regulation Difficulties Are Not Always Associated With Negative Outcomes on Women: The Buffer Effect of HRV. Frontiers in Psychology, 11(697) https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00697

Franquillo, A. C., Grecucci, A., Cattaneo, L. A., Beccia, L., & Dadomo, H. (2021). Psychophysiological perspectives on emotion regulation. Predicting Psychopathological Onset: Early Signs of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, 11(9), 872. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11090872

Fredrikson, M., Peira, N., & Pourtois, G. (2014). Controlling the emotional heart: Heart rate biofeedback improves cardiac control during emotional reactions. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 91(3), 225-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.12.008

Friedman, B. H., & Thayer, J. F. (1998). Autonomic balance revisited: panic anxiety and heart rate variability. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 44(1), 133-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3999(97)00202-X

Gatchel, R., & Proctor, J. (1976). Physiological Correlates of Learned Helpness in Man. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 85, 27-34. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.85.1.27

Grol, M., & De Raedt, R. (2020). The link between resting heart rate variability and affective flexibility. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioural Neuroscience, 20, 746-756. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-020-00800-w

Gross, J. J. (2015). Emotion Regulation: Current Status and Future Prospects. Psychological Injury, 26(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/1047840X.2014.940781

Gross, J. J., Goldin, P. R., Jazaieri, H. (2014). Social Anxiety (3rd Ed) Academic Press..https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-394427-6.00017-0

- all references not listed (remember to add the rest)

External links

Heart Rate Variability - What this Measure Means for Emotions (imotions.com)
Heart rate variability could be the key to improving your body's response to stress (fortune.com)
The stress test: What heart rate variability can tell you about your mental health (sciencefocus.com)