Posttraumatic Stress, Posttraumatic Growth, and Heart Rate Variability Among Breast Cancer Survivors

Introduction: Breast cancer as a life-threatening disease is the most frequent malignant disease among women all over the world. Resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, breast cancer may also be related to positive changes like post-traumatic growth (PTG). The present study aims to evaluate heart rate variability (HRV) parameters among female survivors of breast cancer regarding its relationship with PTSD and PTG. Method: Forty-three women with stage 1-2-3 breast cancer were recruited. Heart rate variability parameters were measured with a 24-hour ECG. Post-traumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were utilized to measure PTSD and PTG. Results: The mean value of PCL-5 was 49.56; the mean value of PTGI was 71.56. Correlation analysis showed that PCL-5 was associated with SDNN (r=-0.310, p=0.043), LF (r=-0.349 p=0.022), and mean heart rate (r=0.396 p=0.009). Post-traumatic growth inventory scores were associated with LF/HF ratio (r=0.310 p=0.043). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that PCL-5 and PTGI scores predicted SDNN and mean heart rate. Conclusion: PTSD and PTG symptoms are related to HRV parameters among female survivors of breast cancer. While PTSD symptoms are related to lower HRV and higher mean heart rate, PTG symptoms are associated with higher HRV and lower mean heart rate.