Effects of a Multimodal Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCC) is characterized by autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation. Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a biomarker for ANS function. Few studies have assessed HRV modulations over treatment in PCC patients. This study evaluates the effects of a mult...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Neus Cano Oscar Casas Mar Ariza Olga Gelonch Yemila Plana Bruno Porras-Garcia Maite Garolera |
| author_facet | Neus Cano Oscar Casas Mar Ariza Olga Gelonch Yemila Plana Bruno Porras-Garcia Maite Garolera |
| author_sort | Neus Cano |
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| description | Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCC) is characterized by autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation. Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a biomarker for ANS function. Few studies have assessed HRV modulations over treatment in PCC patients. This study evaluates the effects of a multimodal immersive virtual reality intervention—integrating cognitive training, physical exercise, and mindfulness practices—on HRV parameters. Methods: Eighteen PCC adults were assigned to reduced (16 sessions) and extended (24 sessions) training. HRV was assessed using an electrocardiogram weight scale at baseline, in the mid-term, and at the end of the intervention. Time-domain and frequency-domain HRV measures were extracted. Results: No significant group-by-time interactions were found. However, certain time-domain HRV parameters showed significant changes over time. Unexpectedly, HRV decreased from baseline to mid-intervention in both groups, with recovery by the end of the intervention. No significant changes were observed in frequency-domain measures. Conclusions: The temporary reduction in HRV suggested that the initial cognitive and physical demands may have temporarily induced physiological stress. The subsequent restoration of HRV suggested adaptation and increased resilience. The absence of enhanced HRV with extended training suggests that session intensity may be more influential than the number of sessions in modulating HRV among PCC patients. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-3e172645b81f420f885fcb8a4809841d2025-08-20T02:17:14ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01158411110.3390/app15084111Effects of a Multimodal Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Post-COVID-19 SyndromeNeus Cano0Oscar Casas1Mar Ariza2Olga Gelonch3Yemila Plana4Bruno Porras-Garcia5Maite Garolera6Brain, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST), 08227 Terrassa, SpainInstrumentation, Sensors and Interfaces Group, Department of Electronics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, SpainBrain, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST), 08227 Terrassa, SpainBrain, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST), 08227 Terrassa, SpainBrain, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST), 08227 Terrassa, SpainBrain, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST), 08227 Terrassa, SpainBrain, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST), 08227 Terrassa, SpainBackground: Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCC) is characterized by autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation. Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a biomarker for ANS function. Few studies have assessed HRV modulations over treatment in PCC patients. This study evaluates the effects of a multimodal immersive virtual reality intervention—integrating cognitive training, physical exercise, and mindfulness practices—on HRV parameters. Methods: Eighteen PCC adults were assigned to reduced (16 sessions) and extended (24 sessions) training. HRV was assessed using an electrocardiogram weight scale at baseline, in the mid-term, and at the end of the intervention. Time-domain and frequency-domain HRV measures were extracted. Results: No significant group-by-time interactions were found. However, certain time-domain HRV parameters showed significant changes over time. Unexpectedly, HRV decreased from baseline to mid-intervention in both groups, with recovery by the end of the intervention. No significant changes were observed in frequency-domain measures. Conclusions: The temporary reduction in HRV suggested that the initial cognitive and physical demands may have temporarily induced physiological stress. The subsequent restoration of HRV suggested adaptation and increased resilience. The absence of enhanced HRV with extended training suggests that session intensity may be more influential than the number of sessions in modulating HRV among PCC patients.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4111heart rate variabilityimmersive virtual realitypost COVID conditionmultimodal training |
| spellingShingle | Neus Cano Oscar Casas Mar Ariza Olga Gelonch Yemila Plana Bruno Porras-Garcia Maite Garolera Effects of a Multimodal Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Applied Sciences heart rate variability immersive virtual reality post COVID condition multimodal training |
| title | Effects of a Multimodal Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome |
| title_full | Effects of a Multimodal Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome |
| title_fullStr | Effects of a Multimodal Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of a Multimodal Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome |
| title_short | Effects of a Multimodal Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome |
| title_sort | effects of a multimodal immersive virtual reality intervention on heart rate variability in adults with post covid 19 syndrome |
| topic | heart rate variability immersive virtual reality post COVID condition multimodal training |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4111 |
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