Comparison of the Effects of Heart rate variability Biofeedback and Binaural Beats on Autonomic Modulation in Adults

Introduction: Heart Rate Variability biofeedback (HRVB) is a technique that enables individuals to consciously modulate their heart rhythm through paced breathing at their resonance frequency, thereby enhancing vagal activity. In contrast, binaural beats—auditory stimuli created by slightly different frequency tones presented to each ear—can entrain brainwave activity and modulate autonomic function through cortical–subcortical pathwaysWhile both HRVB and binaural beats have been independently studied for autonomic modulation, direct comparative studies in healthy individuals are limited. Understanding their relative efficacy could provide insights into optimising non-invasive autonomic training interventions., review of literature:HRV as a key autonomic biomarker reflects the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity strongly linked to stress, cardiovascular health, and emotional regulation HRV biofeedback induces robust autonomic improvements:HRVB strengthens vagal pathways, increases baroreflex gain Binaural beats(BB) influence neural and autonomic activity:BB may entrain brain rhythms (alpha) and modulate parasympathetic tone, though effects vary between individuals BB may enhance HRV under specific conditions:Theta BB improves post-exercise HRV recovery and long-term daily 6 Hz listening increases HRV and cognitive performance.Music with BB also boosts parasympathetic HRV indices., aim(s):To compare the effects of HRV biofeedback and binaural beat stimulation on cardiac autonomic modulation in adults. objectives: To evaluate changes in HRV parameters following two weeks of HRV biofeedback in adults.To evaluate changes in HRV parameters following two weeks of binaural beat interventions in adults.To compare changes in HRV parameters between the two interventions among the study population., justification for study: HRVB consistently enhances HRV and parasympathetic tone, while BB shows promising but heterogeneous results.Directly comparision of these two interventions in healthy adults using repeated HRV parameter measurements for autonomic modulation over time is not done., methodology describing the potential risks & benefits:This study will be a conducted in the Department of Physiology, AIIMS Guwahati.A total of 30 adult volunteers (aged 18–50 years) will be recruited after written informed consent. Participants will be adults. After baseline HRV recording, participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) into two groups using enveloped-number randomization. Group A (HRV Biofeedback Group):Participants perform abdominal breathing at resonance frequency for two weeks for 15 min daily keep journal of same for self-compliance.Group B (Binaural Beats Group):Participants will listen BBF for 2 weeks for 15 minutes everyday at their home and keep journal of same for self-compliance.Each participant will return for HRV recording after 1 week (day 7 ±1), and 2 weeks (day 14 ±1).HRV Recording:Performed using an AD Instrument.Duration: 10 minutes resting ECG.Analysis:LabChartpro.Parameters:Time-domain: SDNN,SDSD,RMSSD,NN50,pNN50,Frequency-domain: Total,VLF,LF,HFpower, Non-linear: SD1, SD2.Statistical Analysis:Data will be analyzed using SPSS. Normality will be assessed using Shapiro–Wilk test.Between-group comparison: Independent t-test.Within-group comparison: Repeated measures ANOVA.Significance level: p < 0.05.