Hypothesis
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) will be associated with lower parasympathetic activity. Hyperarousal symptoms will have the highest relative importance of PTSD symptoms concerning RMSSD.
Summary
Background: PTSD has previously been found to be associated with lower Root Mean Squared Differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD). It has been suggested that hyperarousal symptoms are responsible for poorer heart rate variability functioning in those with PTSD, though more robust approaches to variable selection are needed to assess whether this is true. Aims: This study aims to assess whether PTSD is associated with lower RMSSD in a cohort of injured/uninjured UK military personnel. This study will utilise the baseline ADVANCE dataset.
Methods: Linear regression modelling will be employed to assess whether PTSD is associated with RMSSD. Bootstrap inclusion frequencies and model averaging will be employed to assess the relative importance of PTSD symptom clusters (hyperarousal, emotional numbing, intrusive thoughts or avoidance behaviours) in relation to RMSSD Confounders were controlled for, including age at assessment, socioeconomic status, and combat injury. Additional confounders/moderators (e.g. time since injury/deployment or ethnicity) will also be considered. Discussion: An understanding of the mechanisms by which PTSD affects RMSSD may help clinicians understand the risk associated with participants who exhibit certain symptom profiles.
Keywords
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Heart Rate Variability, RMSSD