Cardiac vagal control and children's adaptive functioning: a meta-analysis

Biol Psychol. 2013 Sep;94(1):22-37. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.04.011. Epub 2013 May 4.

Abstract

Polyvagal theory has influenced research on the role of cardiac vagal control, indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia withdrawal (RSA-W) during challenging states, in children's self-regulation. However, it remains unclear how well RSA-W predicts adaptive functioning (AF) outcomes and whether certain caveats of measuring RSA (e.g., respiration) significantly impact these associations. A meta-analysis of 44 studies (n=4996 children) revealed small effect sizes such that greater levels of RSA-W were related to fewer externalizing, internalizing, and cognitive/academic problems. In contrast, RSA-W was differentially related to children's social problems according to sample type (community vs. clinical/at-risk). The relations between RSA-W and children's AF outcomes were stronger among studies that co-varied baseline RSA and in Caucasian children (no effect was found for respiration). Children from clinical/at-risk samples displayed lower levels of baseline RSA and RSA-W compared to children from community samples. Theoretical/practical implications for the study of cardiac vagal control are discussed.

Keywords: Adaptive functioning; Cardiac vagal tone; Children, Meta-analysis; RSA withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology*
  • Arrhythmia, Sinus / complications*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / etiology*
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Humans
  • Respiration*
  • Social Behavior
  • Vagus Nerve / physiopathology*