DOI:

Inventory reference

ISSN 1812-7231 Klin.inform.telemed. Volume 3, Issue 4, 2006, Pages 75-81

Author(s)

Ingegard E. Malmros, MD

Institution(s)

Karolinska Institute, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm, Sweden

Article title

Heart rate variability in gaming — methods and preliminary results

Abstract (resume)

Background: Both the civil and military authorities are introducing computer programs, similar to games, as education al tools and for medical treatment. Analyses of the users' psychophysiological responses have become a valuable tool within media research. The aim of this study was to evaluate a method for cap turi ng HRV (heart rate variability) data related to war-like events in a com put er game, reflecting autonomic influences of heart rate.

Methods and subjects: Six participants (one female) 19–37 years of age played an action game tutorial three times each. The measured variables were various HRV parameters, obtained with the mobile POLAR 810i device. These values were analyzed in relation to events in the computer game, captured by video recordings.

Results: The result indicates that the methods with the mobile POLAR 810i and videorecorders fulfil the basal requirements for capturing intended data. The HRV analyses, with the curves coupled to the video monitored game on the screen, showed features indicating a relation between game events and the HF (High Frequency) and LF (Low Frequency) power. There were great differences be tween subjects in absolute HRV values but the response pattern to game events was similar within subjects. The HF power was significantly reduced (P&le,0,001) when computer gaming (428 ms²) com pared with resting in a supine po si tion (1613 ms²). The LF/HF-ratio was also sig nif i cant ly higher when gaming (340 ms2) compared with resting (94 ms2) indica ting a depressed parasympathetic (vagal) drive which favours the sympathetic one. In media research the HF component of HRV is usually called RSA (Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia).

Conclusion: Psychological responses appeared to be related to events in a war-like computer game. HRV seemed to be a useful and easily obtainable mea sure.

Keywords

computer game, heart rate variability, HRV, psychological responses, RSA

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