Key result
Individuals with bulimia nervosa exhibited higher resting state vagal activity compared to healthy controls (Hedge's g = 0.52; 95% CI 0.06-0.98; p=0.03).
Why the study?
Is resting state high-frequency heart rate variability altered in patients with bulimia nervosa compared to healthy controls?
Meta-Analysis (n=327)
Is resting state high-frequency heart rate variability altered in patients with bulimia nervosa compared to healthy controls?
Standardized Mean Difference: 0.52 (95% CI 0.06–0.98)
p-value: p=.03
Patients with bulimia nervosa exhibit higher resting state vagal activity compared to healthy controls, which is significantly influenced by body mass index and medication intake.
OBJECTIVE: Autonomic nervous system function is altered in eating disorders. We aimed to quantify differences in resting state vagal activity, indexed by high-frequency heart rate variability comparing patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and healthy controls. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature to identify studies eligible for inclusion and meta-analytical methods were applied. Meta-regression was used to identify potential covariates. RESULTS: Eight studies reporting measures of resting high-frequency heart rate variability in individuals with BN (n = 137) and controls (n = 190) were included. Random-effects meta-analysis revealed a sizeable main effect (Z = 2.22, p = .03; Hedge's g = 0.52, 95% CI [0.06;0.98]) indicating higher resting state vagal activity in individuals with BN. Meta-regression showed that body mass index and medication intake are significant covariates. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest higher vagal activity in BN at rest, particularly in unmedicated samples with lower body mass index. Potential mechanisms underlying these findings and implications for routine clinical care are discussed.
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Peschel et al. (2016) conducted a meta-analysis in Bulimia Nervosa (n=327). Bulimia nervosa vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Resting state vagal activity, indexed by high-frequency heart rate variability (Hedge's g 0.52, 95% CI 0.06;0.98, p=.03). Individuals with bulimia nervosa exhibited higher resting state vagal activity compared to healthy controls (Hedge's g = 0.52; 95% CI 0.06-0.98; p=0.03).
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