[en] Eating disorders are associated with alterations of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Heart rate variability (HRV) provides a readily available index of ANS function. While ANS dysfunction indexed by HRV in Anorexia Nervosa has been addressed in previous reviews, here we aimed to review the current evidence on HRV in Bulimia Nervosa (BN). A systematic literature search in Web of Science, PsycInfo, Scopus, and PubMed identified 17 studies reporting HRV in patients with BN. Studies described (i) differences in resting state HRV in patients with BN compared to controls, (ii) alterations in the stress response in BN indexed by HRV, and (iii) treatment effects on HRV in patients with BN. Despite a number of conflicting results, we conclude that BN is characterized by increased resting state vagally-mediated HRV and an impaired stress-response. Intervention-studies suggest that altered ANS-activity in BN is at least partially reversible. Future studies on the complex relation between BN and HRV should investigate the effect of comorbid disorders, subtypes of BN, and mechanisms affecting treatment outcome.
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Author, co-author :
Peschel, Stephanie K.V.; The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA > Department of Psychology
Feeling, Nicole R.; The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA > Department of Psychology
Vögele, Claus ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Integrative Research Unit: Social and Individual Development (INSIDE)
Kaess, Michael; University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany > Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine
Thayer, Julian F.; The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA > Department of Psychology
Koenig, Julian; University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany > Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
A systematic review on heart rate variability in Bulimia Nervosa
Publication date :
2016
Journal title :
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
ISSN :
0149-7634
Publisher :
Pergamon Press, New York, United States - New York
