The emWave Pro Plus features two specialized Heart Rate Variability (HRV) assessments: the 1-Minute Deep Breathing Assessment and the HRV Assessment (2–99 minutes).
The emWave Pro Plus is designed for professionals who need to quantify autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Unlike standard coherence training, these assessments provide standardized HRV metrics used in research and clinical settings.
1. The Two Types of Assessments
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1-Minute HRV Deep Breathing Assessment: * Purpose: Measures “vagal tone” (parasympathetic activity).
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Protocol: The subject follows a 10-second breath cycle (5 seconds in, 5 seconds out) for 60 seconds.
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Metric: Focuses on the maximum amount of HRV the system can produce when challenged by deep breathing.
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HRV Assessment (Resting):
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Purpose: Provides a baseline of current autonomic state.
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Protocol: User-selectable duration from 2 to 99 minutes (5 minutes is the clinical standard).
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Metric: Analyzes Time Domain (SDNN, RMSSD) and Frequency Domain (LF, HF, VLF) data.
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2. Resolving Common Issues (Assistance Tips)
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Quality Warning (Medium/High): This appears if the pulse data is interrupted.
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Solution: Check sensor placement on the earlobe. Ensure the subject is not talking or moving. If the ear is cold, rub it briefly to increase circulation.
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Inconsistent Results: Standardized assessments are sensitive to external factors.
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Solution: Conduct assessments at the same time of day and under similar conditions (e.g., before caffeine or significant stress).
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Software Connection: If the “Assessments” menu is grayed out:
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Solution: Ensure your emWave Pro Plus registration number is active. Standard emWave Pro does not include these assessments unless upgraded.
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3. Understanding the Metrics
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SDNN: Reflects the overall “reserve” or resilience of the autonomic nervous system.
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RMSSD: Specifically reflects parasympathetic (vagal) activity—the body’s ability to recover and calm down.
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Normalized Coherence: Measures how stable the heart rhythm is within the coherence frequency range (0.032 – 0.26 Hz).
4. Professional Best Practices
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Practice First: Have the client run a standard 2-minute “Practice Session” to ensure they are comfortable with the sensor and the breath pacer before starting the official assessment.
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Edit Data: Use the emWave Pro Plus “Edit” feature to remove occasional ectopic beats or artifacts before generating the final report to ensure mathematical accuracy.
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Use HeartCloud: Sync assessment data to HeartCloud to track a client’s physiological baseline shifts over weeks or months.