Comparing a Clinical HRV System vs. a HRV Wearable

When it comes to measuring heart rate variability (HRV), there are two practical options to choose from – clinical HRV systems and HRV wearables. 

These days, HRV wearables are a heavily marketed choice, and for a good reason. They’re relatively inexpensive and provide a decent snapshot of important vitals. However, for a more objective approach that can help inform your rehabilitation in real-time or take your physical fitness and recovery to the next level, clinical HRV systems are preferred.

Between these two options, which is better fit for your unique case or for your practice? Let’s examine the important distinctions between HRV as a system and HRV as a wearable.

Understanding HRV Systems vs. HRV Wearables

As we run down the differences between a clinically robust system and wearables, it’s important to understand that the best method is the one that works within your needs. That said, keeping track of your heart rate variability is a critical piece of maintaining optimal health.

The HRV Wearable

It makes sense that heart rate monitoring using an HRV wearable could be convenient for HRV therapy. Most HRV wearables, like Oura Ring, FitBit, BioStrap and Whoop are designed for just such purposes, allowing wearers to track their heart rate and vitals as they walk, run, sleep or perform other therapeutic or exercise activities. However, you must factor in your intent.

These wearables are capable of monitoring vitals and delivering daily scores to help you keep track of sleep, activity, and readiness monitoring. This sounds great, but consider that wearables focus on a measurable state of your heart rate, characterized by increased order and harmony in your mind, emotions, and body. Sleep analysis, rest mode, restorative times, and other variables are catalysts for the wearers’ stress management and emotional wellbeing.

While this is helpful information, it lacks the clinically relevant diagnostics necessary to act upon the HRV assessment during a specific treatment session or with a specific treatment intervention.

The HRV System

A clinical HRV system is dedicated to measuring data accurately. NeuPT HRV Diagnostics is a non-invasive, 5-minute procedure that outlines a picture of your wellness and recovery capacity by gaining biofeedback from electrical activity of the heart.

And while they aren’t continually strapped to your vitals and are often only found within a physical therapy clinic or healthcare office, these systems are especially helpful in identifying any imbalances in your nervous system which can help your therapist design a custom plan that will improve your overall health and wellbeing, ultimately maximizing your results.

Heart Rate Variability for Physical Therapy

In fact, a dedicated system, such as NeuPTTech’s proprietary HRV Diagnostic System, is programmed to narrow its scope to specifically serve what physical therapists need to deliver the best care right out of the box with incredible accuracy. 

For those in the physical therapy field, specific metrics are vital, and the more accurate a picture of a patient’s needs, the more targeted the treatment is possible. A heart rate variability system is the perfect complement to therapy because it provides live, real-time monitoring of patterns and delivers analytics immediately that influence your clinical decision-making in regards to interventions, training and recovery, while wearables tend just to give a snapshot of trends regarding your heart rate. 

For accelerating physical therapy with data, a dedicated HRV therapy system is the way to go. 

The HRV Therapeutic Standard

We love HRV wearables for the metrics they can help us keep track of our runs and sleep, but we also recognize that they lack the next steps and professional direction to drive change. 

The NeuPT HRV system measures heart rate variability with an electrocardiogram device. However, most HRV wearables are unable to deliver consistently streaming ECG data. So, when aiming for the standard therapeutic data, HRV analysis systems are essential to picture a patient’s health accurately.

Your Ideal HRV Outcomes

Another significant thing to consider when looking at HRV wearables vs. HRV systems is what outcomes you hope to achieve. If this is for personal assessment and day-to-day check-ups regarding your heart rate or to share your stats with friends, then a wearable is fine. 

But if you need a more detailed and accurate heart rate variability assessment in order to inform you or your patients’ plan of care, you need a real-time, objective measurement system for HRV.

The Right HRV Solution for Your Practice

Wearables certainly have their use, but if you are operating as an evidence-based physical therapy practice, the HRV system is an underused, relatively inexpensive way to deliver optimal health to your patients.

The NeuPT HRV System is custom-built for the physical therapy industry and designed to improve patient outcomes right out of the gate. Beyond providing accurate HRV monitoring tech, you benefit from NeuPTTech’s robust training and unparalleled level of support. Plus, as experts in physical therapy technology, NeuPTtech welcomes you into an exclusive insider community of PT owners and clinicians who will help you take your patients and practice further.

Are you interested in an HRV system for your practice? Request more information about NeuPT HRV from NeuPTtech.