The Impact of HeartMath’s Stress Reduction Programs and Technology on Health Outcomes across Diverse Populations
The Impact of HeartMath’s Resilience and Stress Reduction Programs and
Technology on Health Outcomes across Diverse Populations - Click Here to download pdf
New HeartMath Case Study Shows Lowered Health Care Costs at a New York City Employer - Click Here to download pdf
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 1991, HeartMath has researched and refined a set of unique tools and proprietary technology designed to boost performance, health and productivity, while dramatically reducing stress. Published studies and hundreds of client outcomes confirm the effectiveness in corporate and health care settings around the world, making HeartMath the leader in stress reduction solutions.
The HeartMath programs and technologies are a comprehensive, multidimensional solution designed to work independently or within existing wellness programs.
The HeartMath Programs measurably and immediately re-train the human stress response to a healthier, more productive function.
Our Fortune 500 case studies substantiate the effectiveness of the program. This document highlights key health and performance outcomes in corporate, government and healthcare staff and patient populations.
ORGANIZATIONAL Reduced Turnover:
A Fortune 50 high tech firm customer service department cut stress 50% and improved customer listening 33%. Employee well-being, productivity and job satisfaction increased, and turnover decreased.
Total estimated savings -- $632,539
ROI: greater than 4:1
Increased Staff Retention:
Several HeartMath clients have seen double-digit improvements in staff retention within the first year of implementing the HeartMath program. Based on the historical retention data and cost to train, first year (ongoing) savings ranged from $800,000 to $3,900,000.
Reduction in Health Cost Trend
A protestant denomination’s benefits department provides HeartMath’s Revitalize You!™ program for their clergy and staff nationwide as a highly incentivized core wellness focus. Two years of excellent results have contributed to both reduced risk and reduced health cost trend. Changes included significantly improved resilience, stress management skills, physical symptoms of stress and overall wellbeing. The program also received 100% satisfaction on post-training surveys, and is being offered again to all clergy with a refresher course for previous year attendees.
Reduction in Lifestyle Risk Factors:
Subjects in an experimental group of correctional officers demonstrated reductions in stress and health risk factors. Physiological improvements included reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol levels, the total cholesterol/HDL ratio, fasting glucose levels, mean heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Psychological changes included reductions in overall psychological distress, anger, fatigue, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, speed and impatience, and global Type A behavior, and increases in gratitude and positive outlook. There were also increases in productivity, motivation, goal clarity, and perceived manager support. The reduction in health risk factors were projected to correspond to reductions in health care and absentee costs.
Total projected annual cost savings = $1179 per employee.
Health and Quality:
A Fortune 100 high tech manufacturer showed executive health improvements plus award winning study with managers, engineers and factory workers.
Hypertensive executives all lowered blood pressure to normal range.
Productivity and Quality improvements on a manufacturing line = 22% drop in defects.
Contentment, job satisfaction and communication significantly increased, while tension, anxiety, nervousness and physical symptoms of stress significantly decreased.
The treatment group exhibited a mean adjusted reduction of 10.6 mm Hg in systolic BP and of 6.3 mm Hg in diastolic BP. This adjustment is similar to expected decreases due to hypertensive pharmaceuticals. The treatment group also demonstrated improvements in emotional health, stress symptoms, depression, and global psychological distress, and saw significant increases in peacefulness and positive outlook.
Congestive Heart Failure:
Significant improvements (p<0.05) were noted in perceived stress, emotional distress, 6-minute walk (14% improvement in functional capacity), and depression, and positive trends were noted in each of the other psychosocial measures. A control group saw deterioration in these same measures.
Atrial Fibrillation:
A hospital pacemaker clinic conducted a three-month study using HeartMath home-study / coaching intervention for seventy-five patients with atrial fibrillation. At the end of the three-month period:
71 of the 75 patients reported substantial improvements in their physical and emotional health.
Fifty-six patients had significantly fewer symptomatic episodes of atrial fibrillation and were able to reduce their anti-arrhythmic and anti-hypertensive medications under their physician's guidance.
Fourteen discontinued their anti-arrhythmic medications under physician supervision.
Diabetes:
A regression analysis from a study of 22 participants revealed a significant relationship between self-reported practice of the techniques learned in a HeartMath program and the change in HbA1c levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. HeartMath practice resulted in 1% reduction in HbA1c. Participants experienced reductions in anxiety, depression, anger and distress, following the intervention. Participants showed reduced sensitivity to daily life stressors, and quality of life significantly improved.
