Heart rate variability (HRV) in juvenile fibromyalgia: a preliminary study
Authors' conclusion
Reduced HRV coherence is associated with greater symptom burden and psychological distress in children with JFM.
Study context
- Population
- Children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 with and without juvenile fibromyalgia2 equal groups
- Participants
- 30 children
- Exposure
- Children with juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM) vs controls without JFM
- Outcome
- HRV coherence (emWave Pro)
Methodological detailsobservational, preliminary
- Observational
- Preliminary
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
JFM
0.91
mean
Controls
1.27
mean
P < 0.01
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Pain and anxiety levelsSignificantly higher levels of pain and anxiety in JFM | P < 0.001 |
Correlation of HRV with symptom severity (Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity Scale (SSS)) and anxiety
- Inverse correlations between HRV and symptom severity (WPI, SSS) as well as anxiety levels
Original publication
Heart rate variability (HRV) in juvenile fibromyalgia: a preliminary study. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. Published 12 November 2025. doi:10.
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