Changes in heart rate variability during TOVA testing in patients with major depressive disorder.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify major depressive disorder (MDD) based on heart rate variability (HRV) during tests of variables of attention (TOVA).

Method: Forty-five MDD patients without cardiovascular disease and 45 controls matched by age and gender participated in this study.

Results: Compared to the controls, the MDD group had lower resting HRV parameters, more omissions and variability and longer response times on TOVA, and failure of attention employment to decrease HRV.

Conclusions: The resting HRV parameters may provide easily measured, clinically useful ways to identify patients with MDD and to monitor their progress in treatment.