A Meta-synthesis on the Effects of Combining Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback and Positive Emotion on Workplace Performance

Abstract

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) can be used to measure vagal tone which provides insight into the flexibility of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). A flexible ANS is optimal for both physical and psychological well-being. This study is a meta-synthesis of research to-date, using a systematic review methodology, on self-regulation interventions in the workplace that are based on a combination of HRV bio-feedback and the self-generation of positive emotion. The effects of these workplace self-regulation interventions are physiological, psychological and organisational. At the physiological level they can have a beneficial impact on the following factors: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, DHEA, cortisol and HRV. At a psychological level they decrease negative affect and increase positive affect. They impacted organisational performance through improvement in: organizational quality, cognitive performance, ability to manage stressful transitions and reduced costs.