ORCID

Abstract

The polyvagal theory proposes that the autonomic nervous system influences affective systems and top-down emotional regulation.Vagal tone, as indexed by heart rate variability (HRV), is a measure of emotion regulation capacity. It is possible that non-suicidalself-injury (NSSI) occurs at times of low vagal tone and that NSSI may increase it. Little is known about the feasibility of collectingambulatory HRV data in the context of NSSI. This prospective observational study examined the feasibility of ambulatory HRVmonitoring during NSSI. Ten participants wore a chest-based heart rate monitor and used a diary app for 1 week. Baselinecharacteristics were collected. Heart rate monitoring duration, diary app entries, distress scores, and NSSI occurrences wererecorded. Participant experience was assessed in a post-study questionnaire. At baseline, six had a history of NSSI, in two ofwhom it was current. Ten participants wore the monitor for an average of 137 h. Nine participants successfully used the diary app,making an average of 14 entries over a week. Although no NSSI occurred during the study, the overall experience of participationwas positive. It is feasible to monitor HRV and collect app-based distress scores for a week, including in those with NSSIhistory.

DOI

10.1049/htl2.70007

Publication Date

2025-03-01

Publication Title

Healthcare Technology Letters

Volume

12

Issue

1

Keywords

heart rate variability, non-suicidal self-injury, patient monitoring, physiological models, self-harm, vagal tone

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