--- title: "Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Treatment for Military…" description: "Heart rate variability biofeedback shows promise for reducing PTSD symptoms in military personnel with low attrition rates." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.html" type: "study" study_key: "d38287778" journal: "Mil Med" year: 2024 pmid: "38287778" doi: "10.1093/milmed/usae003" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Treatment for Military PTSD: A Meta-Analysis [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Treatment for… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d38287778 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Mil Med | | Year | 2024 | | PMID | [38287778](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38287778/) | | DOI | [10.1093/milmed/usae003](https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usae003) | | Study key | d38287778 | ## Takeaway Heart rate variability biofeedback shows promise for reducing PTSD symptoms in military personnel with low attrition rates. ## The question Does heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) effectively reduce PTSD symptoms in military populations? ## Hypothesis HRVB will be an effective treatment for reducing PTSD symptoms in military service members, with potentially lower attrition rates compared to traditional treatments. ## Methods A meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO. A literature search for HRVB interventions was performed across PubMed, PsycINFO, Military Database, PTSDPubs, and EBSCO's Psychological and Behavioral Sciences Collection. ## Results Five studies with a combined sample size of 95 military service members met the eligibility criteria. All studies showed negative effect sizes, indicating a reduction in PTSD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from -1.614 to -0.414. The overall mean effect for HRVB was moderate to large (Hedges's g = -0.557; 95% CI = -0.818 to -0.296; P < .001). The cumulative attrition rate was 5.8%, which is significantly lower than typical rates for evidence-based treatments (16%-36%). ## Conclusion HRVB appears to be a viable treatment approach for reducing PTSD symptoms in military service members, supported by a moderate to large effect size and low attrition rates. ## Limitations The meta-analysis was based on a relatively small number of studies (five) and a combined sample size of 95 military service members, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. ## Verbatim from the abstract > moderate to large mean effect for HRV biofeedback indicating a reduction in PTSD symptoms ## Effect Sizes of HRVB on PTSD Symptoms in Military Populations | Measure | Hedges's g (Effect Size) | | --- | --- | | Study 1 | -1.614 | | Study 2 | -0.414 | | Overall Mean Effect | -0.557 | *Individual study effect sizes ranged from -1.614 to -0.414, with an overall mean effect of -0.557, indicating a reduction in PTSD symptoms.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | HRV Biofeedback Trainer | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Treatment for Military PTSD: A Meta-Analysis** Mil Med 2024 · [PMID 38287778](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38287778/) · [DOI 10.1093/milmed/usae003](https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usae003) > moderate to large mean effect for HRV biofeedback indicating a reduction in PTSD symptoms ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.html","name":"Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Treatment for Military PTSD: A Meta-Analysis","description":"Heart rate variability biofeedback shows promise for reducing PTSD symptoms in military personnel with low attrition rates.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Treatment for…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38287778.html#study","name":"Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Treatment for Military PTSD: A Meta-Analysis","headline":"Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Treatment for Military PTSD: A Meta-Analysis","datePublished":"2024","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Mil Med"},"identifier":"PMID:38287778","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38287778/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usae003","abstract":"Heart rate variability biofeedback shows promise for reducing PTSD symptoms in military personnel with low attrition rates."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Evidence: paced breathing raises HRV](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s175.md) - [Remote Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Interventions for Mental Health: A Systematic…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d41310318.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).