Can heart rate variability be a bio-index of hope? A pilot study
BackgroundHope can affect the thinking habits, emotional regulations, and behaviors of individuals. Hope is considered as a positive trait by clinicians, who often assess the level of hope in psychological evaluations. Previous measurements of hope were largely based on self-reported questionnaires...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1119925/full |
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| author | Ying Wai Bryan Ho Daniel Bressington Mei Yi Tsang Hok Hoi Pang Yan Li Wai Kit Wong |
| author_facet | Ying Wai Bryan Ho Daniel Bressington Mei Yi Tsang Hok Hoi Pang Yan Li Wai Kit Wong |
| author_sort | Ying Wai Bryan Ho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundHope can affect the thinking habits, emotional regulations, and behaviors of individuals. Hope is considered as a positive trait by clinicians, who often assess the level of hope in psychological evaluations. Previous measurements of hope were largely based on self-reported questionnaires leading to the problem of subjectivity. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a bio index that is an objective, quick, cost effective, and non-invasive measurement. HRV has been used in the evaluation of physical health and some psychiatric conditions. However, it has not been tested for its potential to be a bio-index of the level of hope.MethodThis pilot cross-sectional observational study aimed to examine the relationships between HRV and the level of hope among adult Chinese people in Hong Kong. Convenience sampling was used and 97 healthy participants were recruited. Their level of hope was measured by the Dispositional Hope Scale-Chinese (DHS-C), and their HRV was quantified by emWave Pro Plus, a reliable sensor of HRV. Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis was performed on the HRV measurements and DHS-C.ResultsThe DHS-C’s overall mean score was 45.49. The mean scores of the subscale DHS-C (Agency) was 22.46, and the mean scores of DHS-C (Pathway) was 23.03. It was also revealed that there were significant, weak, and negative correlations between the level of hope and four out of ten HRV metrics. One HRV metric was found to have a significant, weak, and positive correlation with the level of hope.ConclusionThis study provided initial evidence to support the use of HRV as a bio-index of hope. Implications of the current study and recommendations for future research directions are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T23:31:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-10d90dc4c70e479ca2ac5109364291d6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T23:31:27Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-10d90dc4c70e479ca2ac5109364291d62023-03-21T04:40:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402023-03-011410.3389/fpsyt.2023.11199251119925Can heart rate variability be a bio-index of hope? A pilot studyYing Wai Bryan Ho0Daniel Bressington1Mei Yi Tsang2Hok Hoi Pang3Yan Li4Wai Kit Wong5School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCollege of Nursing and Midwifery, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, AustraliaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaHong Kong Psychological Services Center Limited, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaBackgroundHope can affect the thinking habits, emotional regulations, and behaviors of individuals. Hope is considered as a positive trait by clinicians, who often assess the level of hope in psychological evaluations. Previous measurements of hope were largely based on self-reported questionnaires leading to the problem of subjectivity. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a bio index that is an objective, quick, cost effective, and non-invasive measurement. HRV has been used in the evaluation of physical health and some psychiatric conditions. However, it has not been tested for its potential to be a bio-index of the level of hope.MethodThis pilot cross-sectional observational study aimed to examine the relationships between HRV and the level of hope among adult Chinese people in Hong Kong. Convenience sampling was used and 97 healthy participants were recruited. Their level of hope was measured by the Dispositional Hope Scale-Chinese (DHS-C), and their HRV was quantified by emWave Pro Plus, a reliable sensor of HRV. Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis was performed on the HRV measurements and DHS-C.ResultsThe DHS-C’s overall mean score was 45.49. The mean scores of the subscale DHS-C (Agency) was 22.46, and the mean scores of DHS-C (Pathway) was 23.03. It was also revealed that there were significant, weak, and negative correlations between the level of hope and four out of ten HRV metrics. One HRV metric was found to have a significant, weak, and positive correlation with the level of hope.ConclusionThis study provided initial evidence to support the use of HRV as a bio-index of hope. Implications of the current study and recommendations for future research directions are discussed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1119925/fullHeart rate variabilityHRVhopepsychological well beingpositive psychology |
| spellingShingle | Ying Wai Bryan Ho Daniel Bressington Mei Yi Tsang Hok Hoi Pang Yan Li Wai Kit Wong Can heart rate variability be a bio-index of hope? A pilot study Frontiers in Psychiatry Heart rate variability HRV hope psychological well being positive psychology |
| title | Can heart rate variability be a bio-index of hope? A pilot study |
| title_full | Can heart rate variability be a bio-index of hope? A pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Can heart rate variability be a bio-index of hope? A pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can heart rate variability be a bio-index of hope? A pilot study |
| title_short | Can heart rate variability be a bio-index of hope? A pilot study |
| title_sort | can heart rate variability be a bio index of hope a pilot study |
| topic | Heart rate variability HRV hope psychological well being positive psychology |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1119925/full |
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