Stress and craving reduction under treatment with heart rate variability biofeedback and the Phramongkutklao model among patients with alcohol use disorder

Figures & data

Figure 1 Participants were asked to slowdown their breathing rhythm to a particular rate by inhaling until the wave reached the highest mark on the device and exhale slowly while counting from 1 to 5 and watching for a triangle to appear above the wave, and start to inhale again as the next wave began to rise.

Table 1 Demographic characteristics (n=35)

Variables/characteristics	Intervention group		Control group		p-Value
Age (Mean ± SD)	41.1±7.3		44.5±10		1.00
	Frequency	Percentage	Frequency	Percentage
Sex
Male	15	88.2	17	94.4	0.60
Female	2	11.8	1	5.6
Marital status
Single	5	29.4	4	22.2	0.95
Married	8	47.1	10	55.6
Divorced/Widowed	4	23.5	4	22.2
Education
Below Bachelor Degree	13	76.5	13	72.2	0.74
Bachelor Degree	3	17.6	2	11.1
Upper Bachelor Degree	1	5.9	3	16.7
Religious affiliation
Buddhist	16	94.1	17	94.4	1.00
Christianity	1	6.3	1	5.6
Occupation
Employee	4	23.5	6	33.3	0.43
Business	1	5.9	3	16.7
Government officer	12	70.6	9	50
Income
<15,000 baht	5	29.4	5	27.8	1.00
15,000–20,000 baht	4	23.5	4	22.2
20,001–30,000 baht	4	23.5	5	27.8
>30,000 baht	4	23.5	4	22.2
Chronic illness history
No	10	58.8	9	50	0.60
Yes	7	41.2	9	50
Chronic illness
Diabetes	4	23.5	1	5.6	1.00
Hypertension	3	17.6	4	22.2	1.00
Liver disease	4	23.5	5	27.8	1.00
Gastritis	1	5.9	1	5.6	1.00
Hypercholesterolemia	1	5.9	1	5.6	1.00

Table 2 Alcohol-related consumption (n=35)

Variables Alcohol-related Consumption	Intervention group		Control group		p-Value
	Frequency	Percentage	Frequency	Percentage
Alcohol consumption period	10	58.8	11	61.1	1.00
20–30 years
Higher than 30 years	2	11.8	3	16.7
The reason for drinking
Festivals and parties	12	70.6	13	72.2	0.92
Invitation from peers	8	47.1	10	55.6	0.62
Advertisement	1	5.9	2	11.1	1.00
Nearby shop	5	29.4	7	38.9	0.56
Stress	16	94.1	14	77.8	0.34
Want to try	2	11.8	3	16.7	1.00
Stressor
Relationship with family members	4	23.5	4	22.2	1.00
Family’s expectant	3	17.6	3	16.7	1.00
Family responsibilities and burdens	3	17.6	3	16.7	1.00
Relationship with colleagues	4	23.5	5	27.8	1.00
Work responsibilities and burdens	6	35.3	7	38.9	0.83
Career advancement	2	11.8	2	11.1	1.00
Lack of acceptance from superiors and colleagues	3	17.6	1	5.6	0.34
Expenses and debts	6	35.5	6	33.3	0.90

Figure 2 The bar graph shows the results of stress scores in the same group between the control and intervention group at baseline (striped bars), post-intervention (black bars) and follow-up (white bars).

Note: ***P<0.001.
Abbreviations: HRV, heart rate variability; PMK model, Phramongkutklao model.

Figure 3 The bar graph shows the difference of stress scores among two group samples who received HRV biofeedback along with the PMK model (black bars) and the group who received only the PMK model (white bars) that were separately displayed at baseline, ∆Baseline-Post-intervention, ∆Baseline-Follow-up and ∆Post-intervention-Follow-up. e

Notes: **P>0.01; *P<0.05. ∆Stress scores, differences of stress scores; ∆Baseline-Post-intervention, differences of stress scores between baseline and post-intervention; ∆Baseline-Follow-up, differences of stress scores between baseline and follow-up; ∆Post-intervention-Follow-up; differences of stress scores between post-intervention and follow-up.
Abbreviations: HRV, heart rate variability; PMK model, Phramongkutklaomodel.

Figure 4 The bar graph shows the result of craving scores in the same group between the control and intervention group at baseline (striped bars), post-intervention (black bars) and follow-up (white bars).

Notes: ***P>0.001; **P>0.01.
Abbreviations: HRV, heart rate variability; PMK model, Phramongkutklao model.

Figure 5 The bar graph showed the difference of craving scores among two group samples who received HRV biofeedback along with the PMK model (black bars) and the group who received only the PMK model (white bars) that were separately displayed at baseline, ∆Baseline-Post-intervention, ∆Baseline-Follow-up, and ∆Post-intervention- Follow-up.

Notes: **P>0.01; *P<0.05. ∆Penn alcohol-craving scores, differences of Penn alcohol-craving scores; ∆Baseline-Post-intervention, differences of Penn alcohol-craving scores between baseline and post-intervention; ∆Baseline-Follow-up, differences of the Penn alcohol-craving scores between baseline and follow-up; ∆Post-intervention-Follow-up; differences of the Penn alcohol-craving scores between post-intervention and follow-up.
Abbreviations: HRV, heart rate variability; PMK model, Phramongkutklao model.