Summary
Adults with chronic low back pain show reduced parasympathetic activity compared to pain-free controls, supporting the link between chronic pain and autonomic dysfunction.
Methods
HRV comparison between adults with chronic low back pain and healthy controls
Key Findings
- Decreased vagal activity in chronic low back pain patients
- Reduced parasympathetic modulation of pain responses
- Autonomic regulation involved in pain modulation
- Findings consistent with other chronic pain conditions
Limitations
Cross-sectional design, cannot determine causality
What This Means for You
Chronic pain and low HRV often go together. Interventions that boost parasympathetic activity—like slow breathing, meditation, and gentle exercise—may help both your HRV and your pain levels.
Source
Read the original paper in PMC ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2026-01-23