Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Dec 2014
A pilot study of audio-visual stimulation as a self-care treatment for insomnia in adults with insomnia and chronic pain.
This pilot study tested the efficacy of an audio-visual stimulation (AVS) program for the promotion of sleep in individuals with chronic pain. Insomnia and chronic pain are common comorbid conditions and their relationship has been viewed as bidirectional. Recent studies suggest a relatively dominant role of sleep in this dyad. ⋯ The results of this pilot study suggest that the AVS program may be efficacious in decreasing both insomnia and pain symptoms. In order to better assess the efficacy of AVS for sleep promotion and possible pain reduction, more definitive randomized controlled trials will be needed. These should include appropriate sample sizes, objective measures of sleep and pain, and longitudinal follow-up.
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Dec 2014
Pragmatic Clinical TrialHeart coherence training combined with back school in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: first pragmatic clinical results.
The aim of this study was to explore on which variables a stress reduction program based on heart coherence can enhance the effects of a back school (BS) in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain and to explore possible moderators for treatment success. A retrospective explorative design was carried out with 170 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. 89 Patients were admitted to BS and 81 patients were selected for BS and heart coherence training (BS-HCT). Six sessions of heart coherence were provided. ⋯ Placebo controlled and blinded studies are needed to confirm this. Characteristics of individuals who might benefit remain unknown. Evidence of this study is considered a level C, because of its pragmatic clinical character.
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Jun 2014
Individual and gender differences in subjective and objective indices of pain: gender, fear of pain, pain catastrophizing and cardiovascular reactivity.
According to fear-avoidance models of pain perception, heightened fear of pain may increase disruptive effects of pain; however, the extent to which this affects self-reported pain severity versus physiological indices of pain is not well delineated. The current study examined self-report measures and physiological indices of pain during a cold pressor (CP) task. Individual differences in fear of pain and pain catastrophizing were also assessed via questionnaire. ⋯ These results suggest that fear of pain and pain catastrophizing do not influence cardiovascular responses to induced pain. Further research is necessary in order to determine whether these gender differences in blood pressure and heart rate response profiles are due to biological or psychosocial influences. Results support the notion that fear of pain increases subjective pain ratings, but does not influence cardiovascular responses during CP pain-induction.
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Sep 2013
Relationship between respiratory sinus arrhythmia, heart period, and caregiver-reported language and cognitive delays in children with autism spectrum disorders.
The present study examines the relationship between autonomic activity and cognitive/language delays in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Baseline levels of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart period (HP) were assessed in 23 4-7-year old children diagnosed with ASD. The relationship between RSA, HP, and ASD behavioral symptoms was examined. Similar to prior studies on typically developing children, lower basal RSA was related to more caregiver-reported language and cognitive delays, and to the lack of language.
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Jun 2013
Steps toward developing an EEG biofeedback treatment for chronic pain.
Chronic pain, usually refractory to analgesics, is a significant problem for many individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Preliminary studies suggest that electroencephalography (EEG) biofeedback (also known as neurofeedback, NF) has the potential to help patients with otherwise refractory chronic pain. However, there remain many unanswered questions about the effects and mechanisms of this treatment. ⋯ No significant effects on measures of other outcome domains (sleep quality, pain interference and fatigue) were observed, although there was a non-significant trend for an increase in fatigue. Finally, pre- to post-treatment changes in EEG bandwidth activity, consistent with the training protocols, were observed in θ and α but not β frequencies. The findings provide preliminary support for the potential efficacy of NF for the treatment of SCI-related pain, and suggest that further clinical studies are warranted.