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Dysautonomia and heart rate variability following severe traumatic brain injury
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 07:20 authored by Baguley, IJ, Heriseanu, RE, Kim FelminghamKim Felmingham, Cameron, IDPrimary objective: To investigate disconnection theories postulated as the cause of dysautonomia following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) through analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Methods and procedures: Data were collected on age-matched subjects with and without dysautonomia (eight subjects in each group) and 16 non-injured controls. Data included injury details, continuous electrocardiograph recordings and rehabilitation outcome. Main outcomes and results: The TBI group revealed significant differences in HRV parameters both compared to controls and between dysautonomic and non-dysautonomic subjects. Additionally, HRV parameters for dysautonomic subjects showed evidence of an uncoupling of the normal relationship between heart rate and sympathetic/parasympathetic balance. HRV changes persisted for the dysautonomia group for a mean of 14 months post-injury. Conclusions: Dysautonomic subjects revealed prolonged uncoupling of heart rate and HRV parameters compared to non-dysautonomic subjects and controls. These findings represent direct pathophysiological evidence supporting the disconnection theory postulated to produce dysautonomia following TBI.
History
Publication title
Brain InjuryVolume
20Issue
4Pagination
437-444ISSN
0269-9052Department/School
School of Psychological SciencesPublisher
Taylor & Francis LtdPlace of publication
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, England, Oxon, Ox14 4RnRights statement
Copyright © 2006 Taylor & Francis The definitive published version is available online at: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journalsRepository Status
- Restricted