NCT07386951

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in Security Forces

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in Distress Regulation and Burnout Prevention Among Security Forces

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This exploratory study evaluates the effectiveness of a 12-session Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV-BFB) protocol in reducing distress and burnout while promoting psychological well-being among Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) professionals. Exposed to high occupational stress from unpredictable risks, shift work, and limited resources, these individuals face elevated vulnerability to chronic stress outcomes. The intervention leverages real-time HRV feedback to enhance autonomic regulation, breathing techniques, and emotional self-regulation.

Detailed description

Security forces like the GNR play a critical role in public safety but endure chronic stress from violence exposure, rapid decisions, shift rotations, and institutional resource shortages, heightening risks of distress, burnout, and impaired well-being. Distress arises when perceived threats exceed coping resources, leading to persistent negative emotions and health disruptions. Burnout manifests as exhaustion, mental distancing, and reduced efficacy from unmanaged chronic stress, with organizational impacts including absenteeism and eroded public trust. Psychological well-being encompasses multidimensional aspects like autonomy, relationships, and purpose beyond mere absence of illness. Traditional interventions face barriers such as stigma and access issues in rural GNR contexts, necessitating flexible, self-administered tools. Intervention: HRV-BFB Protocol HRV-BFB trains participants to consciously modulate physiological responses via real-time monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV), reflecting sympathetic-parasympathetic balance. Low HRV links to mental health risks, while training targets resonance frequency breathing (\~6 breaths/min or 0.1 Hz) to boost HRV amplitude, cardiac coherence, and baroreflex strength. Delivered autonomously via app post-initial guidance, the 12-session protocol requires no daily clinician oversight, enhancing accessibility for dispersed GNR personnel. Evidence shows HRV-BFB reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout while fostering well-being in high-stress groups like emergency workers. Study Objectives This exploratory trial tests whether HRV-BFB significantly lowers distress (multidimensional: physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral), burnout levels, and boosts psychological well-being in GNR professionals. It aims to inform scalable interventions tailored to Portuguese police realities, addressing gaps in institutional support.

Conditions

• Psychological Distress
• Well-Being, Psychological
• Burnout

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV-BFB) Training	Participants receive a structured heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BFB) training protocol delivered over 4 weeks. The intervention uses a portable chest-worn ECG sensor (eSense Pulse) connected via Bluetooth to a mobile application that provides real-time visual feedback of heart rate variability. Each participant completes 12 individual sessions of 12 minutes each (one session every 2 days). Sessions take place in a quiet room and follow a standardized format: a brief preparation phase, followed by approximately 10 minutes of guided breathing at resonance frequency (around 6 breaths per minute) using a visual breathing guide. The application displays color-coded feedback indicating how closely the participant's physiological response matches the target HRV pattern, and participants are instructed to adjust their breathing and recall positive memories to maximize time in the desired state. The aim is to increase HRV, strengthen parasympathetic activation, and improve stress and

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-28
• Primary completion: 2026-04-01
• Completion: 2026-08-01
• First posted: 2026-02-04
• Last updated: 2026-02-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Portugal