Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Jun 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effects of respiratory sinus arrhythmia biofeedback on heart rate variability and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: a pilot study.
Recent studies have found a significant association between PTSD and low heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker of autonomic dysregulation. Research indicates that respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback increases HRV while reducing related pathological symptoms. This controlled pilot study compared RSA biofeedback to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as adjunctive interventions for 38 persons with PTSD symptoms in a residential treatment facility for a substance use disorder. ⋯ Both groups significantly reduced PTSD and insomnia symptoms and a statistical trend was observed for reduced substance craving for the RSA group. Increases in HRV were significantly associated with PTSD symptom reduction. Overall, these results provide preliminary support for the efficacy of RSA biofeedback in improving physiological and psychological health for individuals with PTSD.
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Mar 2009
Changes in pCO2, symptoms, and lung function of asthma patients during capnometry-assisted breathing training.
In a recent pilot study with asthma patients we demonstrated beneficial outcomes of a breathing training using capnometry biofeedback and paced breathing assistance to increase pCO(2) levels and reduce hyperventilation. Here we explored the time course changes in pCO(2), respiration rate, symptoms and lung function across treatment weeks, in order to determine how long training needs to continue. We analyzed in eight asthma patients whether gains in pCO(2) and reductions in respiration rate achieved in home exercises with paced breathing tapes followed a linear trend across the 4-week treatment period. ⋯ Similar increases were seen for in-session measurements, together with gradual decreases in symptoms from week to week. Basal lung function remained stable throughout treatment. With our current protocol of paced breathing and capnometry-assisted biofeedback at least 4 weeks are needed to achieve a normalization of pCO(2) levels and reduction in symptoms in asthma patients.
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Mar 2009
Effects of inspiratory strength training on the detection of inspiratory loads.
Pressure-threshold loads (DeltaPT) are inspiratory force-related loads, which contrast with resistive loads (DeltaR), are airflow-dependent loads. If detection of respiratory loads is a function of the background load, then pressure-threshold type inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) would affect the detection of DeltaPT but have less effect on detection of DeltaR. DeltaR and DeltaPT detection and ventilatory responses were measured in healthy volunteers. ⋯ We conclude that IMST affects the detection of DeltaPT, but not DeltaR. These results also suggest that mouth pressure is not the primary determinant of the inspiratory load detection. The significance of these results is that inspiratory pressure generating capacity can be increased by our pressure threshold training and this increase in respiratory muscle strength increases the ability of pulmonary patients to compensate for increased respiratory load and modulates the threshold for detection of changes in pulmonary mechanics.
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Sep 2008
Meta AnalysisBiofeedback treatment for headache disorders: a comprehensive efficacy review.
The aim of the present review was to critically evaluate the documented evidence regarding the efficacy of biofeedback for the two most prevalent headache conditions--migraine and tension-type headache. Drawing upon two recently published meta-analyses, data from 150 outcome studies, including randomized controlled trials as well as uncontrolled quasi-experimental designs, were screened. Of these, 94 studies were selected for inclusion according to predefined criteria. ⋯ Reduced muscle tension in pain related areas was observed in electromyographic feedback for tension-type headache. Biofeedback was more effective than waiting list and headache monitoring conditions in all cases, while electromyographic feedback for tension-type headache showed additional significant effects over placebo and relaxation therapies. Levels of efficacy (migraine: efficacious, level 4; tension-type headache: efficacious and specific, level 5) and recommendations for future research are provided.
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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialCoping with stress: the effectiveness of different types of music.
Listening to classical and self-selected relaxing music after exposure to a stressor should result in significant reductions in anxiety, anger, and sympathetic nervous system arousal, and increased relaxation compared to those who sit in silence or listen to heavy metal music. Fifty-six college students, 15 males and 41 females, were exposed to different types of music genres after experiencing a stressful test. Several 4 x 2 mixed design analyses of variance were conducted to determine the effects of music and silence conditions (heavy metal, classical, or self-selected music and silence) and time (pre-post music) on emotional state and physiological arousal. Results indicate listening to self-select or classical music, after exposure to a stressor, significantly reduces negative emotional states and physiological arousal compared to listening to heavy metal music or sitting in silence.