Case study: Adopting heart rate variability biofeedback to decrease workplace stress

Abstract

Stress is associated with negative outcomes and we all make effort to avoid it. Workplace stress is associated with poor performance, and organizations desire optimal performance from employees. In this case study, the researcher utilizes a heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) tool as a workplace stress intervention for his participant, a senior manager who works in a big company in Hong Kong. The researcher presents a review of each of the four sessions he has conducted with his participant. The participant was able to see directly how stressful thoughts and emotions can adversely affect his body. He was motivated to change from the visuals flaring up that he saw on the biofeedback. Stress reduction exercises (SREs) were used during the sessions, and the participant was able to profoundly shift his physiology. The present case demonstrated that emWave Pro Plus HeartMath tool can be used as an important HRVB and SRE tool in the future.

Keywords

• biofeedback
• heart rate variability
• heart rate variability biofeedback
• workplace stress