Heart rate variability enhancement through nanotechnology: A double-blind randomized-control pilot study

Abstract

Background. The objective of this study was to test whether a proprietary nanotechnology skin patch produced for the purpose of increasing energy was also capable of modulating certain of the resonant frequencies of the body, promoting greater autonomic nervous system balance as reflected in heart rate variability (HRV). Method. The study is a treatment-control design with researchers blinded to the assignment of subjects to either placebo or energy patch groups. The HRV measures were obtained prior to and 15 min after the patches had been applied. The HRV was measured with a BioCom HRV system. The measurements were obtained in a treatment room with participants resting in a lounge chair. Participants were solicited from volunteers who lived in the Poulsbo area. Results. Analysis of the two groups indicated that when the experimental group HRV data were examined for pre-post differences, the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio decreased significantly (p < .01, one-tailed t test), the very low frequency (VLF) decreased significantly (p < .05), the LF decreased (p = .011), LF norm decreased (p < .05), and HF norm increased (p < .05). It should be noted that the normalized LF and HF parameters represent relative values of each power component in proportion to total power minus the VLF component. This emphasizes the controlled and balanced behavior of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system. It tends to minimize the effect of change in total power on the values of LF and HF components (Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, 1996). The control group, however, showed no significant pre-post changes in these parameters. Comparisons between energy and placebo patch groups reached statistical significance (p < .05) only in the VLF parameter. Conclusion. These results suggest that LifeWave Energy Patches appear to act on the autonomic cardiovascular factors influencing heart rate variability in the hypothesized direction. This technology can be used to augment neurotherapy especially in cases characterized by chronic stress or fatigue factors. © 2008 by The Haworth Press.