BCIA Autonomic Nervous System and HRV Training

Question 1

Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback primarily targets which division of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

The balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic branches

Answer

Somatic nervous system

Answer

Sympathetic nervous system in isolation

Answer

The enteric nervous system

Question 2

What is resonance frequency breathing in HRV biofeedback?

Accepted Answer

Breathing at approximately 4.5–7 breaths per minute to maximize respiratory sinus arrhythmia

Answer

Breathing at the fastest comfortable rate to maximize oxygen intake

Answer

Breathing at exactly 12 breaths per minute, matching standard resting rate

Answer

Deep diaphragmatic breathing with no specific rate target

Question 3

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) is the primary pathway for which ANS effect on the heart?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic slowing of heart rate

Answer

Sympathetic acceleration of heart rate

Answer

Regulation of adrenal epinephrine release

Answer

Control of peripheral vasoconstriction

Question 4

In HRV analysis, the RMSSD metric primarily reflects:

Accepted Answer

Short-term parasympathetic (vagal) activity

Answer

Sympathetic nervous system activity

Answer

Long-term HRV trends over 24 hours

Answer

Total spectral power across all frequencies

Question 5

The low-frequency (LF) band in HRV spectral analysis (0.04–0.15 Hz) is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Both sympathetic and parasympathetic influences, including baroreflex activity

Answer

Pure parasympathetic activity only

Answer

Respiration-driven vagal modulation exclusively

Answer

Artifact and should be excluded from analysis

Question 6

Which clinical population has the strongest evidence base for HRV biofeedback treatment?

Accepted Answer

Asthma and cardiovascular disorders

Answer

Type 1 diabetes

Answer

Acute psychosis

Answer

Parkinson's disease motor symptoms