2019 — Psychophysiology systematic review and meta-analysis

Finding

Across 66 studies (N=10,227), case-control effects appeared for task-related skin conductance, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and pre-ejection period, but not for heart rate or baseline measures overall. Correlational results were more limited.

Why it matters

The synthesis constrains any simple claim that conduct problems possess one stable autonomic biomarker.

Inference boundary

Pooled association does not establish that an autonomic measure is causal, diagnostically specific, or useful for individual treatment selection.