Reliability of the Heart Rate Variability Registered Through Polar Cardio Frequency Meter in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

Luana Maria Brenha Penha; André Pontes-Silva; Aldair Darlan Santos-de-Araújo; Patrícia Faria Camargo; Flavio de Oliveira Pires; Cid André Fidelis-de-Paula-Gomes; Cristiano Teixeira Mostarda; Daniela Bassi-Dibai; Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho

doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2023.03.007

Reliability of the Heart Rate Variability Registered Through Polar Cardio Frequency Meter in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

J Chiropr Med. 2023 Sep;22(3):180-188. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2023.03.007. Epub 2023 Jun 15.

Authors

Luana Maria Brenha Penha¹, André Pontes-Silva², Aldair Darlan Santos-de-Araújo³, Patrícia Faria Camargo³, Flavio de Oliveira Pires¹, Cid André Fidelis-de-Paula-Gomes⁴, Cristiano Teixeira Mostarda², Daniela Bassi-Dibai⁵, Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
² Postgraduate Program in Adult Health, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
³ Postgraduate Program in Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁴ Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁵ Postgraduate Program in Programs Management and Health Services, Ceuma University, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) captured by a Polar cardio frequency meter in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Methods: The study included 35 individuals with nonspecific low back pain, both sexes, aged 18 to 45. We used a Polar V800 cardio frequency meter to capture HRV in individuals in different positions, and we calculated the reliability through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results: Regarding intra-examiner reliability, we found excellent reliability of HRV analysis in the supine position (ICC ranging from 0.89 to 1.00) and in the standing position (ICC ranging from 0.95 to 0.99). In addition, for inter-examiner reliability, we found substantial to excellent reliability of the HRV analysis in the supine position (ICC ranging from 0.76 to 0.98) and moderate to excellent reliability in the standing position (ICC ranging from 0.73 to 0.99).

Conclusion: The HRV analysis captured by a Polar cardio frequency meter presented adequate reliability when considering different times and different examiners.

Keywords: Autonomic Nervous System; Chronic Pain; Neurosciences; Spine.