Portable Technology to Measure Heart Rate Variability for Cardiovascular Health Assessment

Project Title: Portable Technology to Measure Heart Rate Variability for Cardiovascular Health Assessment

Project Lead: Helaine Alessio

Email: alessih@miamioh.edu

Phone: (513) 529-2700

Affiliation: CEHS

Other Team Member Names: Dean Smith, Kevin Ballard

Project Details: Recent studies in cardiovascular health and rehabilitation indicate the clinical value of monitoring heart rate variability (HRV) using new technology that is portable and provides valuable feedback about heart function in clinical populations. HRV provides powerful information about cardiovascular health status, including evaluating chronic inflammatory and cardiovascular disease (Newby, et al. 2014, Hart, et al., 2015, and Hemmingsen, et al., 2015). HRV is used in evaluations of vasovagal syncope (Lazzeri, et al. 2000) epilepsy (Lotufo, et al. 2012), exercise stress testing (Bailon, et al. 2010), and exercise training (Aubert, et al. 2003). Currently this equipment is not available for undergraduate student experiential learning in exercise physiology or environmental studies laboratories. The goal is to obtain five portable HRV detection devices for students enrolled in several different laboratories in KNH and IES to allow a variety of experiments so that, in small groups of 3 or 4, they can experience new portable technology that will provide new and innovative insight into cardiovascular regulation and is potentially very valuable for patients with a variety of cardiovascular health conditions.

Problem Project Attempts to Solve: Biomarkers of cardiovascular health are commonly assessed in several Kinesiology and Health (KNH) and Institute of Environmental Studies (IES) laboratories by measuring blood lipids, metabolic response to exercise, and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings that provide information about quality and quantity of heart rate and rhythm at rest, during graded exercise stress, and recovery. The equipment currently available in the KNH laboratories in Phillips Hall are well suited for traditional monitoring of heart functioning using standard lead ECG (4 limb leads and 12 leads) that identifies rhythm abnormalities that student are taught to discern based on deviations from sinus rhythm, including elevation and depression of waves, rapidly repeating waves, and narrowing or widening of waves, among others. The problem we are trying to solve is to provide students with the most updated, cutting edge technology that they are likely to use in clinical settings in a variety of clinical health careers. Students enrolled in specific KNH and IES courses can benefit by having access to technology to measure HRV. Students currently learn to analyze ECG recordings in individuals before, during, and following different types of acute exercise. With the help of advanced technology, a non-invasive, light-weight, portable, and easy to administer electronic HRV detection device has been developed by Camntech. The Actiwave Cardio ECG Waveform Data Recorder / Logger system assembly can be easily attached (adhesive strip) to an individual's chest to record heartbeat frequency over time (ECG R-R interval). This data is then analyzed with free spectral analysis software to determine the low-frequency domain, high-frequency domain, and time domain deviation of an individual's longitudinal heartbeat pattern. A spectral analysis of this data will reveal whether or not the HRV is larger or smaller than expected. Students can benefit tremendously by learning how to analyze HRV, compare HRV under different environmental stressors (including exercise), and understand the added value HRV provides to a standard ECG. More details about the technology at: http://www.camntech.com/products/actiwave-cardio/actiwave-cardio-overview

Does this project focus on Graduate Studies?: No

Does it meet tech fee criteria?: The Actiwave Cardio ECG Waveform Data Recorder / Logger device will provide a unique opportunity for KNH and IES students for experiential learning of a technique that is becoming integrated into curricula at progressive Public Health universities and in health clinics. This experience will aid students in their comprehension of classifying susceptible (vulnerable) populations based on gender, age, socio-economical, and geography using a quantitative physiological parameter (HRV), deciding whether or not public health administrative controls should be considered during unfavorable environmental conditions, and whether biofeedback or certain types of exercise interventions are simple treatment modalities that can be relatively easily implemented. Historically, HRV was manually calculated from measuring the distance between the R-R intervals on ECG charts. Digital recording equipment is now available, along with software that calculates the frequency and time domains of the heart rate. Once such an integrated system became available, innovative approaches such as analysis of HRV on athletic performance, disease susceptibility, and environmental exposure induced-inflammation has been reported. Relatively new techniques in Integrated medicine using biofeedback equipment and software such as MyCalmBeat and HeartMath EMWAVE 2 are just beginning to be offered in clinical settings to increase HRV as part of one's healthy, integrated lifestyle.

How will you assess the project?: The students will demonstrate competence in professionally placing the equipment on a subject, recording the heart rate under different conditions (e.g. rest, different stressors, recovery), integrating the data into the software for analysis, then interpreting the results for HRV classification (small HRV range, large HRV range). Students will also be assessed for their understanding of mechanisms involved in autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system and specifically, how HRV is regulated under a variety of stress conditions. Furthermore, faculty who teach different laboratories that use this equipment will assess the impact on student learning and share strategies and ideas for future experiential learning projects.

Have you received tech fee funding in the past?: No

What happens to this project in year two?: Besides the five portable systems, which allow for small group (n=3 or 4) work, the initial purchase includes 200 disposable electrodes, which should cover the first year of equipment implementation. It is expected every year after that approximately $350 of KNH department funds (collected from laboratory fees) will be used to re-supply, a minimal amount given this type of technology. The recording device does not require annual calibration maintenance nor software. Dr. Ed Barth will be responsible for maintaining the equipment and keeping current with technology advances.

Hardware: The Actiwave Cardio ECG Waveform Data Recorder $14,200

Total Budget: $14,200

Comments: Students enrolled in specific KNH and IES courses can benefit by having access to this latest portable technology to measure HRV under a variety of stressors/conditions. Students currently learn to analyze ECG recordings in individuals before, during, and following different types of acute exercise or other types of stress, including virtual reality, and other stressors. With the help of advanced technology, a non-invasive, light-weight, portable, and easy to administer electronic HRV detection device has been developed by Camntech. The Actiwave Cardio ECG Waveform Data Recorder / Logger system assembly can be easily attached (adhesive strip) to an individual's chest to record heartbeat frequency over time (ECG R-R interval) This data is then analyzed with free spectral analysis software to determine the low-frequency domain, high-frequency domain, and time domain deviation of an individual's longitudinal heartbeat pattern. A spectral analysis of this data will reveal whether or not the HRV is larger or smaller than expected. Students can benefit tremendously by learning how to analyze HRV, compare HRV under different environmental stressors (including exercise), and understand the added value HRV provides to a standard ECG. More details about the technology at: http://www.camntech.com/products/actiwave-cardio/actiwave-cardio-overview The Actiwave Cardio ECG Waveform Data Recorder / Logger device will provide a unique opportunity for KNH and IES students for experiential learning of a technique that is becoming integrated into curricula at progressive Public Health universities and in health clinics. This experience will aid students in their comprehension of classifying susceptible (vulnerable) populations based on gender, age, socioeconomical, and geography using a quantitative physiological parameter (HRV), deciding whether or not public health administrative controls should be considered during unfavorable environmental conditions, and whether biofeedback or certain types of exercise interventions are simple treatment modalities that can be relatively easily implemented.