Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Oct:97:35-41.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.05.005. Epub 2019 May 8.

Substance craving changes in university students receiving heart rate variability biofeedback: A longitudinal multilevel modeling approach

Nour Alayan  1 , David Eddie  2 , Lucille Eller  3 , Marsha E Bates  4 , Dennis P Carmody  5
Affiliations

Substance craving changes in university students receiving heart rate variability biofeedback: A longitudinal multilevel modeling approach

Nour Alayan et al. Addict Behav. 2019 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Previously published findings from a study of university students living in substance use disorder (SUD) recovery housing showed an eight-session heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) intervention significantly reduced craving. That study, however, uncovered pronounced inter-participant variability in craving change patterns through the course of HRVB that warranted further exploration. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine how within- and between-person factors may have differentially influenced craving changes.

Methods: A longitudinal multilevel modeling approach was used with time at level-1 nested within persons at level-2. Multilevel models of change were estimated to model craving trajectories and predictor relationships over time as a function of age, sex, length of abstinence, daily HRVB practice, anxiety, depression, and stress.

Results: A quadratic pattern of craving reductions was found, indicating that craving reductions accelerated over time for some participants. Daily HRVB practice of >12 min and older age significantly enhanced craving reductions over time. Increases in depressive symptoms attenuated the effects of HRVB on craving. The other predictors were not significantly associated with craving in this study. The true R2 for the final model indicated that 20.5% of the variance in craving was explained by older age, daily HRVB >12 min, and within-person changes in depression.

Conclusions: HRVB shows promise as an accessible, scalable, and cost-effective complementary anti-craving intervention. Healthcare providers may help persons recovering from SUD to better manage substance craving by the routine and strategic use of HRVB practice.

Keywords: Craving; Heart rate variability biofeedback; Longitudinal; Multilevel modeling; Substance use disorder.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
The moderation effect of Practice Time on the longitudinal relation between HRVB and PACS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Addolorato G, Leggio L, Abenavoli L, & Gasbarrini G (2005). Neurobiochemical and clinical aspects of craving in alcohol addiction: A review. Addictive Behaviors, 30(6), 1209–1224. - PubMed
    1. Alayan N, Eller L, Bates ME, & Carmody DP (2018). Current evidence on heart rate variability biofeedback as a complementary anticraving intervention. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 00(00), 1–12. 10.1089/acm.2018.0019. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Azumio Inventor (2012). Stress doctor.
    1. Beck AT, & Steer RA (1993). Beck Anxiety Inventory Manual. San Antonio: TX Psychological Corporation.
    1. Beck AT, Steer RA, & Brown GK (1996). Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

Publication types