Abstract
We usually evaluate effects of occupational therapy by observation of psychological stability or questionnaires. It is important to establish an evaluation method using biomarkers. Heart rate variability (HRV), employed as an index of cardiac autonomic function, has been used mainly in the field of anesthesia or internal medicine. In this case report we use spectral analysis of HRV to evaluate the effect of a psychiatric relaxation program. During the relaxation program average heart rate and ln LF/HF was smaller and ln HF was larger than at rest. These results suggest that parasympathetic nervous system activity was stimulated and sympathetic nervous system activity was suppressed during the relaxation program.
