| Abstract [eng] |
Heart rate variability (HRV) – variation in the time interval between consecutive heartbeats, influenced by sudden physical or psychological stressors. Assessing HRV parameters allows evaluation not only of physical health, but also of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. The ANS consists of two parts: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, responsible for managing bodily functions during stress and relaxation. This study aimed to determine whether virtual reality cognitive behavioral therapy (VR CBT) induces statistically significant changes in HRV parameters in healthy individuals. The study included 19 participants (9 men and 10 women)who underwent ECG recordings twice, with a VR CBT session between the recordings. Data processing was performed using GalileoNT and MatLab programs, and statistical analysis was conducted using StatSoft Statistica 8 software. Nine HRV parameters were analyzed in total: RMSSD, LF/HF ratio, normalized LF, normalized HF, pNN50, heart rate, rrHRV, IQR and R-R intervals. Statistical analysis revealed no statistically significant changes in these parameters between the two measurements in any of the three analyzed groups: the overall groun, men, and women. Changes in all parameters were minimal. RMSSD, pNN50, LF/HF ratio, heart rate and rrHRV showed opposite trends between men and women, indicating gender-specific responses to the same stimulus and highlighting the complexity of the ANS. Statistically significant differences between genders were observed in the frequency domain of HRV, with men showing more active SNS activity, while women showed more active PNS activity. GAD-7 and PHQ-9 tests indicated that women are more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms and anxiety than men, although these differences were not statistically significant. The results suggest that a single VR CBT session does not signifficantly impact ANS activity. Therefore, further research with larger sample sizes and longer VR session periods is needed. |
