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Evaluating the potential of respiratory-sinus-arrhythmia biofeedback for reducing physiological stress in adolescents with autism: a protocol for a randomized controlled study

Tijdschriftbijdrage - Tijdschriftartikel

Background : Prior evidence points towards lower cardiac vagal modulation in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as compared to control groups. A cross-sectional phase in this study will gather more evidence concerning this topic. A longitudinal phase will explore the efficacy of a biofeedback intervention based on Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) in adolescents with ASD. Finally, a feasibility study will focus on a non-supervised RSA biofeedback intervention in this population. Methods : The cross-sectional phase includes the comparison of adolescents with ASD (n=38) and age and gender matched typically developing peers. A standardized assessment will be used which contains physiological, cortisol and behavioral measurements. The longitudinal phase contains a randomized, single-blinded and sham-controlled design to determine the efficacy of supervised RSA biofeedback in adolescents with ASD (n=128). A follow-up phase of 5 weeks is included to evaluate the presence of retention effects. During the latter, a feasibility study will focus on a non-supervised intervention (n=62). Assessments as described previously are scheduled after the intervention and the follow-up phase. Discussion : First, more conclusive evidence will be provided for the presence of lower cardiac vagal modulation in adolescents with ASD as well as the association between these lower values and physiological and behavioral indices. Second, the supervised intervention in adolescents with ASD is hypothesized to upregulate this cardiac vagal modulation and positively change behavioral and physiological parameters. Third, evidence regarding the feasibility and acceptability of a non-supervised intervention may open novel avenues for home-based interventions in this population.
Tijdschrift: Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
ISSN: 1090-0586
Issue: 1
Volume: 22
Jaar van publicatie:2021
BOF-keylabel:ja
IOF-keylabel:ja
BOF-publication weight:1
CSS-citation score:1
Authors from:Higher Education
Toegankelijkheid:Open