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Publikationen
Ressourcen
Dissertationen
- Die Tinnitusbehandlung mit Biofeedback und kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie-Psychophysiologische Grundlagen und Intervention (Heinecke, 2008)
Abstract: Zusammenfassung Ziel der vorliegenden publikationsbasierten Dissertation war die Prüfung psychophysiologischer Annahmen, sowie die Evaluation einer psychophysiologischen Behandlung bei Patien-ten mit chronischem dekompensierten Tinnitus. Bestehende Modelle zur Entstehung und Aufrechterhaltung chronischer Tinnitussymptome (Hallam, 1984; Jastreboff & Hazell, 1993) betonen die Bedeutung von negativen Bewertungen, negativen emotionalen Reaktionen, einer dysfunktionalen Aufmerksamkeitsfokussierung und einem hohen kortikalen Arousal. Diese Prozesse erschweren eine Habituation an die Ohrgeräu-sche und führen zu einer hohen psychischen Belastung durch den Tinnitus. Es lassen sich aus den Modellannahmen Hypothesen zu psychophysiologischen Grundlagen und spezifischen Behandlungsansätzen ableiten. In einem randomisierten kontrollierten Design mit Wartekontrollgruppe konnten an insgesamt 130 Tinnituspatienten mit chronischen dekompensierten Symptomen und an 55 gesunden Kontrollprobanden verschiedene Hypothesen getestet werden. Zunächst wurde geprüft, inwiefern sich die subjektive und die psychophysiologische Stressreaktivität der Tinnituspatienten von Gesunden unterscheiden. Es konnte eine stärkere subjektive Belastung der Tinnituspatienten bestätigt werden, allerdings zeigte sich in den untersuchten psychophysiologischen Parametern keine Auffälligkeiten im Sinne eines Hyper-arousals. Die subjektive Beanspruchung hing nicht mit physiologischen Anspannungsreaktio-nen zusammen. Im Rahmen eines Therapieprojektes an der Philipps-Universität Marburg wurde ein Behand-lungsmanual entwickelt, das den Einsatz von Biofeedback mit kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutischen Interventionen kombinierte. Bei der Prüfung der physiologischen Effekte zeigte sich ein deutlicher Lernerfolg: Die Patienten, nicht aber die Probanden auf der Warteliste, lernten im Laufe der Therapie, ihr peripher-physiologisches Arousal in Form von Muskelanspannungen deutlich zu reduzieren. Auch in Bezug auf die psychologische Effektivität konnten mittlere bis hohe, zeitstabile Verbesserungen bezüglich der tinnitusbezogenen Belas-tung, der Psychopathologie und des Copingverhaltens nachgewiesen werden. Die physiologischen und psychologischen Verbesserungen hingen nicht miteinander zusammen. Eine Untersuchung zur differentiellen Wirksamkeit der Therapie zeigte, dass Patienten mit unterschiedlichen Personen- und Tinnituscharakteristika in ähnlichem Ausmaß sehr gut von der Behandlung profitierten. Eine positive Therapieerwartung hing mit einem größeren Therapieerfolg zusammen, eine schwere depressive Störung mit einem eher ungünstigen Ergebnis. Ingesamt zeigte sich trotz des nicht nachweisbaren peripher-physiologischen Hyperarousals, ein Behandlungserfolg auf physiologischer und psychologischer Ebene durch das eingesetzte Therapieverfahren. Offenbar wurden durch die Kombination aus Biofeeback und kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie unterschiedliche unabhängige Responsesysteme aktiviert. Die Wirkvariablen des Biofeedback, sowie das Design und die Methodik der Studien werden diskutiert.
- Bioffeedback als Chance für die Tinnitusbehandlung-Entwicklung eines biofeedbackgestützten Therapieansatzes und Evaluation unter Berücksichtigung psychophysiologischer Annahmen (Weise, 2008)
Abstract: Chronischer Tinnitus ist mit einer Prävalenzrate von bis zu 4% ein häufiges Symptom und kann mit einer starken Beeinträchtigung einhergehen. Aufgrund der Vielzahl möglicher Ursachen gibt es kein eindeutiges ätiologisches Modell. Das Habituationsmodell (Hallam et al., 1984) und das Neurophysiologische Modell (Jastreboff & Hazell, 1993) postulieren negative Bewertungsprozesse, ungünstige Aufmerksamkeitsfokussierung und ein erhöhtes kortikales Arousal als Ursachen für die Tinnitusentstehung und -aufrechterhaltung. Diese Annahmen begründen den Einsatz von kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutischen Ansätzen und Biofeedback in der Tinnitusbehandlung. Basierend auf der bisherigen Forschung wurden zwei Untersuchungsschwerpunkte für die vorliegende Dissertation abgeleitet. Zum einen wurde ein psychophysiologisches Behandlungskonzept entwickelt und in einem randomisiert-kontrollierten Design an 130 Tinnituspatienten evaluiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten eine deutliche und langfristig stabile Verbesserung bei verschiedenen Aspekten der Tinnitusbelastung, der Copingfähigkeiten und der Kontrollüberzeugungen. Mittlere bis hohe Effektstärken belegten die hohe klinische Relevanz der Ergebnisse. Zum anderen wurden psychophysiologische Annahmen untersucht, die den Einsatz von Biofeedback begründen. Die Analyse der Retest-Stabilität psychophysiologischer Maße ergab gute Stabilitätskoeffizienten für die EMG-Parameter. Deren Einsatz und Auswertung bei biofeedbackgestützten Behandlungen sind daher zu empfehlen. Die Überprüfung der Annahme eines Hyperarousals bei Tinnituspatienten ergab, dass diese die Stressoren zwar subjektiv deutlich belastender einschätzten als Kontrollprobanden, aber keine objektiv erhöhten physiologischen Werte zeigten. Insgesamt wurde eine sehr gute Wirksamkeit und hohe Akzeptanz der psychophysiologischen Behandlung nachgewiesen. Da jedoch kein erhöhtes Arousal belegt werden konnte, werden weitere Wirkfaktoren von Biofeedback diskutiert. Das biofeedbackgestützte Verfahren wird insbesondere für Patienten mit somatischem Krankheitsmodell empfohlen, da es die Einsicht in die biopsychosoziale Bedingtheit und Aufrechterhaltung des Tinnitus und damit den Übergang zu einer psychosomatischen Krankheitssichtweise erleichtert.
- Biofeedback als Stressmanagement-Therapie. Evaluation einer standardisierten Biofeedback-Therapie zur Reduktion psychophysiologischer Stressreaktionen, psychischer und somatischer Beschwerden. (Schmid, 2000)
Abstract: In der Studie wurde die Effektivitaet von Biofeedback zur Reduktion psychophysiologischer Stressreaktionen auf verschiedene Stressoren untersucht. Als Probanden nahmen Patienten mit diversen Stressbeschwerden teil, wobei die Biofeedback-Versuchsgruppe (N = 20) mit einer Wartelisten-Kontrollgruppe (N = 20) verglichen wurde. Beide Gruppen wurden einer zweimaligen psychophysiologischen Stresstestung unterzogen, wobei die Reaktivitaets- und Erholungswerte (Veränderungswerte) als auch die Absolutwerte in der Stress- und Ruhephase (Stresswerte, Entspannungswerte) auf drei Stressoren (PC-Spiel, Kopfrechnen, Schreckreiz) untersucht wurden. Dabei gingen die Parameter Hautleitwert, EMG M. trapezius, Pulsfrequenz, Atemfrequenz, Atemtiefe und Handtemperatur in die Analyse ein. Die Probanden der Versuchsgruppe nahmen nach der ersten Testung an einer multimodalen Biofeedback-Therapie (Atem, EMG, Handtemperatur) im Ausmaß von sechs Sitzungen teil. Die multivariaten Kovarianzanalysen und univariaten Kovarianzanalysen für Messwiederholungen ergaben in der Biofeedback-Gruppe im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe signifikant gesteigerte multivariate Erholungswerte und Entspannungswerte nach allen Stressoren. Signifikante Einzeleffekte waren in der Atemfrequenz und der Atemtiefe vorhanden. Bei den Reaktivitaetswerten und Stresswerten waren nur beim Stressor PC-Spiel signifikante Gruppenunterschiede vorhanden.
Bezueglich der kognitiven Stressmanagement-Effekte konnte eine signifikante Zunahme der subjektiven Kontrolle von Stress sowie eine verbesserte subjektive Entspannungsfähigkeit in der Versuchsgruppe festgestellt werden, nicht jedoch in der Kontrollgruppe. Weiters kam es im Gruppenvergleich nur in der Versuchsgruppe zu einer signifikanten Beschwerdeabnahme. Die Ergebnisse bestaetigen somit deutlich die Effektivitaet von Biofeedback auf der psychophysiologischen und kognitiven Ebene.
- Der Einfluss von Ergebniserwartung und Koerperwahrnehmung auf die aktive und passive Veraenderung der Stirnmuskelspannung und der Handtemperatur. Ein Beitrag zur Biofeedback und Placeboforschung. (Strauss-Blasche, 1997)
Abstract: The study examined the effects of control- and outcome-expectancies and bodily perception on the self- and placebo-control of forehead muscle tension and hand temperature in 45 untrained students. Prior to the two 5 minute self-control trials subjects expectations to increase or decrease the variable was measured.
Physiological feedback was not given. Prior to the following two 5 minute placebo-control trails, subjects expectations that a previously demonstrated mind machine would chance the variable was determined. To measure bodily perception, an questionnaire was constructed, from which several scales of bodily sensitivity and bodily awareness were derived by factor analysis. In addition, the ability to discriminated hand temperature and muscle tension was determined. Results show that efficacy expectancy to decrease muscle tension had an effect on the actual change of forehead EMG, in that high expectancy was associated with a decrease and low expectancy with an increase of EMG. No effect of self efficacy expectancy was found for the self control of hand temperature. In contrast to the authors supposition, outcome expectancies did not predict the actual nor perceived physiological change in the placebo condition. The scales of bodily perception and the ability to discriminate had neither an effect on self-control nor placebo-control. Also, the ability to change one physiological variable could not predict the change of the other variable and being successful in self-control was not predictive for placebo control. In sum, self control expectation is, in contrast to bodily perception, to a limited degree predictive of actual self control of a physiological variable, but the ability is variable-specific. A placebo-effect could not be obtained.
- The effects of heart rate variability biofeedback in reducing blood pressure for the treatment of essential hypertension. (Reineke, 2008)
Abstract: More than 65 million Americans currently have hypertension, which translates to one in four American adults have elevated blood pressure (BP). Higher BP levels increase one's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, or renal insufficiency. Researchers have demonstrated that device-guided breathing with slower respiration patterns lowers BP in hypertensives. Attention has been given to baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) as a possible mechanism between slow breathing rates and BP changes, and studies with slower breathing rates have shown enhanced BRS. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate if a course of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback will decrease BP and increase resting BRS in patients with documented Stage I hypertension. Fifty-five participants were recruited from the Psychosomatic Hospital St.-Franziska-Stift in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and randomized to a treatment group, receiving 10 sessions of HRV biofeedback, or a comparison group, which received 10 sessions of electroencephalographic biofeedback. As dependent physiological measures systolic BP, diastolic BP, resting BRS were assessed at baseline, session 5, session 10, and three month follow-up. Exploratory measures were HRV parameters and psychological variables which consisted of perceived stress, quality of life, depression scale, perceived relaxation, and overall psychological distress which were measured at baseline, session 10, and three month follow-up. Thirty-seven of the enrolled participants completed the study. Contrary to the hypothesis, both groups significantly reduced systolic BP averaging 5.75 mm Hg (p < .05) and diastolic BP averaging 4.4 mm Hg (p < .05) at session 10, however, these changes were not maintained at follow-up. However, the treatment group receiving HRV biofeedback had significantly greater reductions in antihypertensive medication (42%), while maintaining their BP levels, than the comparison group (11%). Additionally, the treatment group had significantly lower increases in antihypertensive medication (5%) than the comparison group (33%). There was a significant Group X Time interaction (p < .05) for BRS. At session 5, the treatment group showed higher resting BRS levels, whereas the comparison BRS levels stayed the same. However, these changes were not maintained at follow-up. Resting BRS was associated with MAP (r = .34). HRV parameters and psychological measures were not significantly different between the two groups. There were significant main effects of time for both groups indicating increased HRV (p < .05), quality of life (p < .01), perceived relaxation (p < .01), and reductions in perceived stress (p < .01), depression symptoms ( p < .01), and overall psychological distress (p < .01). Some of these changes were not maintained at three month follow-up. The results suggest that irrespective of group assignment, patients with hypertension reduced BP levels after 10 sessions of a biofeedback based intervention, however, these changes were not maintained long-term. The treatment group may have shown additional benefits, since they had significantly greater reductions in antihypertensive medications while maintaining their BP levels.
- The efficacy of a portable HRV feedback device in conjunction with mental health treatment of clients with major depressive disorder enrolled in a county welfare-to-work program. (Rene, 2008)
Abstract: Summary of the problem. Clinical depression affects 19 million Americans in the United States (MIMH, 2001). Compared to 20% of the general population, it is estimated that between one quarter and one- third of welfare recipients suffer from symptoms of depression (Lewis, Lee, & Altenbrend, 2006). Women not only comprise a significant portion of this welfare population, but they also have a higher prevalence of depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). In the current context of welfare reform, with its strong emphasis on employment (Ahluwalia, McGroder, Zaslow, and Hair, 2001) this population may encounter an even greater barrier to transition from welfare-to-work. While a myriad of pharmacological and behavioral interventions currently exists for the treatment of depression in general, there are currently no published studies on the use of HRV Biofeedback as a treatment adjunct for depression with women on welfare. Design. Forty-six adult female welfare recipients meeting criteria for depression were randomly assigned to a HRV feedback experimental group or a progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) group during a 4-week intervention period with a 4-week follow up. Participants were enrolled in one of four outpatient CalWORKs Behavioral Health Centers located in San Diego, CA. The groups did not differ on any of the baseline measures including treatment site. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVAs) was used to assess changes in depression, HRV measures and employment measures. Results. Both groups showed reductions in depression over the four weeks (p < .05). However, only the SE treatment group showed clinically and statistically significant reductions in depression severity at the week 8 follow-up (p < .01). At week 1, 77% of participants in the SE group met criteria for severe depression compared to 55% in the comparison PMR group. By week 8 (follow up) 75% of participants in the SE group no longer met criteria for clinical depression compared to 41% in the PMR comparison group. The results showed significant findings for SE group on readiness for employment (p < .05) and motivation for employment (p < .01). There were no significant findings on SDNN. LF/HF ratio significantly correlated with decreases in depression. Conclusion. This is the first study to examine the efficacy of HRV feedback on depression in women on welfare. These findings not only suggest the StressEraser may have considerable promise as a non-pharmacological treatment adjunct to reduce depression. The results also demonstrate the need for further research in this area in delineating the precise mechanism by which the SE works to effect change.
- EEG analysis of ayahuasca experience to develop biofeedback protocols for visionary experience. (Benitz, 2008)
Abstract: Ayahuasca has been used for healing among indigenous groups for hundreds if not a thousand years for knowledge acquisition, mental healing, and physical healing. A single pilot study of two individuals suggests that EEG coherence patterns may transform during ayahuasca ingestion. This dissertation analyzed topographic EEG power and coherence pattern differences between baseline and ayahuasca conditions in archival data recorded on 12 research participants to develop biofeedback protocols for facilitating visionary experience. Because EEG biofeedback has been used successfully to facilitate the self-regulation of states of consciousness, this study examined the ayahuasca-EEG linkage to provide information for future development of biofeedback protocols that could be used to facilitate the self-regulation of the EEG patterns associated with profound visionary experiences. If in the future it is shown that the self-regulation of such EEG patterns is possible, such training might conceivably also facilitate the healing capacities associated with the voluntary mastery of visionary experiences that is widely reported in the literature on shamanism.
- The influence of relaxation with biofeedback and music on the length of the menstrual cycle. (Perle, 2008)
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to see if relaxation at three different periods of a women's menstrual cycle would influence the duration of the cycle and day of ovulation. Students between the ages of 18-30 who were determined to have regular cycles based upon two months of record keeping, were given three relaxation sessions at different times from the start of menses, 12 during days 3, 4, and 5, 10 during days 8, 9, and 10 and 12 during days 19, 20, and 21. All participant were measured for the galvanic skin response (GSR) during a 20 minute relaxation session, 5 minutes baseline followed by 5 minute relaxation instructions and 10 minutes of music during which they were given biofeedback as to the GSR response. The GSR of 6 additional participants was measured with the relaxation manipulation 3 on days 3, 4 and 5 and 3 on days 19, 20, and 21. The findings are as follows: (1) Relaxation was most effective as measured by the GSR on days 19, 20 and 21, an important finding if one is interested in the effects of relaxation. (2) Greater relaxation as measured by the GSR within the session appeared to be effective in lengthening the start of the next menses; decreased relaxation appeared shorten the cycle. Findings were inconclusive regarding day of ovulation. This study is of importance in considering the therapeutic biofeedback treatment plans for women.
- Thermal biofeedback and deep breathing for labor pain. (Hagedorn, 2008)
Abstract: Objectives. The treatment efficacy of complementary labor pain management has been questioned in light of sparse controlled research studies in this area. Biofeedback is one such intervention for reducing labor pain and improving labor outcome, but contradictory results due to methodological and practical issues have resulted in its lack of credibility among the established medical community. This paper first reviews the literature on biofeedback as it applies to the management of acute labor pain; and, second, evaluates the efficacy of autonomic self-regulation for labor pain using inexpensive and minimally intrusive finger temperature biofeedback (TBF) with deep diaphragmatic breathing. Toward this end, the benefits of home training was reviewed and assessed as well as TBF treatment efficacy. Methods. Uncomplicated primiparous and multiparous labor patients (n=35) participating in prenatal care were randomly assigned to home-practice and no-home-practice groups. Dependent variables are three verbal and visual rating scales for pain intensity (PPI, VAS, NRS) and 5-minute Apgar scores. An additional no-treatment comparison group consisted of women (n=28) delivered by the same obstetrical group without having been exposed to the TBF device or provided information or instruction regarding the application of TBF and diaphragmatic breathing. The no-treatment comparison group was assessed against the two randomly controlled groups using the available NRS pain measure and Apgar scores. Results. Five-minute Apgar scores were not correlated with the potential covariates. PPI and VAS were significantly correlated with the covariates of dilation at the time of hospital admission and the dilation at the time of epidural administration. The NRS pain measure was significantly associated with dilation at admission, dilation at the time of epidural administration, and dilation at the time of Pitocin interventions. Multiple regression analysis of how well home practice of diaphragmatic breathing with thermal feedback predicted mean PPI for 1 to 10 centimeters of cervical dilation indicated that the treatment did not significantly decrease pain as measured by the mean PPI. Similarly, the mean VAS and NRS pain measures did not significantly demonstrate a reduction of pain perception. Rather, the significant predictor of PPI and VAS was dilation at the time of epidural administration. Only the dilation at the time of epidural administration was a significant predictor of pain as measured by mean NRS. Compared to the NHP group, the HP group was admitted with significantly more advanced cervical dilation. Conclusions. Based on the results of this small sample, diaphragmatic breathing with thermal biofeedback does not demonstrate to be an adequate means of labor pain management among women that are exposed to pain associated with Pitocin augmentation and the correlated use of epidural analgesia. The home practice group did significantly present to the hospital later in the labor process suggesting the intervention may have had a positive effect that was less detectable given methodological and experimentally uncontrollable associated variables. Suggestions for further research to better isolate the covariates associated with labor pain are discussed.
- Effects of heart-rate variability biofeedback training and emotional regulation on music performance anxiety in university students. (Thurber, 2007)
Abstract: Student musicians were recruited to participate in an experimental repeated measures research design study to identify effects of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training and emotional self-regulation techniques, as recommended by HeartMathreg; Institute, on music performance anxiety (MPA) and music performance. Fourteen students were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group following a 5 minute unaccompanied baseline performance. Treatment group participants received 4-5 HRV training sessions of 30-50 minutes each. Training included bibliotherapy, using the computerized Freeze-Framerreg; 2.0 interactive training software, instruction in the Freeze-Framereg; and Quick Coherencereg; techniques of emotional regulation, and also use of an emWavereg; portable heart rate variability training device for home training. Measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Performance Anxiety Inventory (PAI), Flow State Scale (FSS), average heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV). Quade's rank transformed ANCOVA was used to evaluate treatment and no-treatment group comparisons. Combined MPA scores showed statistical significance at p=.05 level with large effect size of eta2=.320. Individual measurements of trait anxiety showed a small effect size of eta 2=.001. State anxiety measurement showed statistical significance at the p=.10 level with a large effect size eta2=.291. FSS showed no statistical or effect size difference. PAI showed no statistical significance and a large effect size eta2=.149. HR showed no statistical significance and a large effect size eta2=.143. HRV showed statistical significance at p=.000 level and a large effect size eta2=.698. This study demonstrated practical/clinical significance of a relatively quick and inexpensive biofeedback training that had large effect at decreasing mental, emotional, and physiological symptoms of MPA for university students.
- Effect of biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy on the psychophysiological measures of stressed-out working professional mothers. (Valdez, 2006)
Abstract: This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy on reducing psychophysiological stress levels of working professional mothers. Participants were 14 working professional mothers from a major daily newspaper. Reported stress levels were measured with the 123 question Stress Profile (Nowack, 1990) three times during the eight week treatment study that was held at the women's workplace. A repeated measure ANOVA design was used to analyze the data and a partial eta squared (n2) was used to calculate effect size. As hypothesized, the study found a statistically significant reduction of reported stress levels (F=8.62; p=.001) and a statistically significant (F=3.65; p=.01) reduction in measured muscle tension across subjects. A large effect size was found for reduction in reported stress levels (n2=.39) and reduction in muscle tension (n2=.21). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved)
- The effect of mental training with biofeedback on entering optimal individual affect-related performance zones. (Edmonds, 2006)
Abstract: An investigation is reported by which a multimodal assessment of affect was incorporated by measuring introspective (verbal reports) and objective (heart rate and skin conductance) measures in a laboratory setting for the purpose of applying a biofeedback intervention using Blumenstein & Bar-Eli's (2001) Wingate Five-step approach. The foundation of this experiment was based on an empirically supported concept (i.e., probabilistic determinations of Individual Affect-related Performance Zones; Kamata et al., 2002) in order to verify the utility and effectiveness of the intervention by manipulating affective performance states in a racecar simulator. Nine male participants complete five separate time trials of a simulated racing task and then were randomly assigned to one of three arousal regulation treatment conditions (three participants per group): (1) optimal arousal-regulation, (2) poor arousal-regulation, and (3) attention control. Following the BFB intervention, the participants underwent another series of race trials to determine the effectiveness of the arousal regulation intervention. The results indicate general and relative similarities in the strength and direction of the perceived and physiological states between the participants; however, the subtle details of the participants' unique performance zones, and the probability of achieving each zone was revealed to be unique between the participants and between the groups. The results indicate that (a) the BFB manipulation resulted in the expected changes for all the groups, and (b) there were some large individual differences between the participants, necessitating the idiosyncratic approach. The results are further discussed in the context of the stimulus-response specificity principle (Andreassi, 1989), Sternbach's (1966) individual response-stereotypy, as well as the Inverted-U hypothesis (Yerkes & Dodson, 1908). Future research directions and practical implications are also offered.
- Treatment effects related to EEG-biofeedback for crack cocaine dependency: Changes in personality and attentional variables. (Burkett, 2006)
Abstract: EEG biofeedback (neurotherapy) has been demonstrated as effective in the treatment of alcoholism, as evidenced by Peniston and Kulkosky's research efforts. These neurotherapy pioneers evaluated the efficacy of alpha-theta brain wave biofeedback as a treatment for chronic alcohol abuse, citing 80% abstinence rates as measured by improvements in psychopathology, serum beta endorphin levels, and long-term alcohol abstinence. Most research with alpha-theta EEG biofeedback has addressed alcohol addiction. Cocaine is now considered to be the most common drug problem of patients entering treatment for drug abuse. To date, only one controlled study has been published that researched alpha-theta neurofeedback in the treatment of "crack" cocaine addiction. The present study was an extension of a 4-year EEG-biofeedback treatment outcome project underway at a faith-based homeless mission in Houston, Texas, with male "crack" cocaine addicts. Changes in personality, attention, and impulsivity were measured following 30 sessions of a non-individualized EEG-biofeedback protocol. Experimental subjects received a variant of the Peniston-Kulkosky alpha-theta protocol for 30 sessions while controls received all elements of the experimental protocol except the EEG biofeedback. Assessment measures included the MMPI-2 and the IVA. Although experimental subjects showed greater mean improvement on most MMPI basic scales and all IVA Attention related measures, results indicated no significant differences between control and experimental groups. The present study did not result in significant differences between control and experimental groups on attentional or personality variables in crack cocaine addicts. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.
- The effect of biofeedback-assisted stress management training on migrant college students' anxiety and personal growth initiative. (Chappell-Hudgins, 2006)
Abstract: Stress from external as well as internal demands is a common part of life in America today. When people enter new environments, stress is often exacerbated, and they must learn to cope with stressors to avoid the negative effect chronic stress can have on emotions and physiology. College students experience stressors, not only as they enter the academic world, but also throughout their experiences as they work to succeed educationally and socially. Although the first year of college may be stressful for any student, some students, such as those recruited from migrant farm-working families, face additional stressors including acculturative stress as they enter a new, often very different environment from the one to which they are accustomed. The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) offers training and support to these students as they enter college. CAMP students are taught various skills to manage the stress throughout their college careers. This is a descriptive quantitative study with pre- and post-tests conducted to examine whether there exist causal effects of demonstrating respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) on personal growth initiative, state-trait anxiety and indicators of academic success. CAMP students received biofeedback-assisted self-regulation training in RSA to shift their heart rate frequency toward a peak frequency of 0.1Hz for 5 minutes. I hypothesized that those students who learned to attain and maintain RSA through biofeedback-assisted self-regulation training would report increased personal growth initiative as measured by the Personal Growth Initiative Scale, would report decreased levels of anxiety, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and would require fewer psychological services.
- Treatment outcomes related to EEG-biofeedback for chemical dependency: Changes in MMPI-2(TM) personality measures and long term abstinence rates. (Callaway, 2006)
Abstract: Peniston and Kulkosky (1989, 1990) demonstrated the effectiveness of alpha-theta EEG-Biofeedback (EEG-BFB) in treating inpatient alcoholics noting significant improvements in depression, psychopathology, serum beta;-endorphin levels, and abstinence rates. The present study is an extension of a previously unpublished replication of the Peniston EEG-BFB protocol with 20 chemically dependent outpatients (Bodenhamer-Davis, Callaway, & DeBeus, 2002). Fifteen subjects were "high risk for re-arrest" probationers. Data for the EEG-BFB group was collected from archival records. Subjects completed an average of 39 sessions (SD = 6.096), with 33 of those being EEG-BFB. Pre/post-treatment MMPI-2s (University of Minnesota) were collected and follow-up (4-11 years) data obtained (abstinence rates, re-arrests in some cases). Treatment effects were evaluated by comparing assessment data (pre/post) and documenting abstinence rates. Post-treatment MMPI-2 results were within normal limits, with several scales significantly reduced from baseline suggesting less psychopathology. Results were then compared to 20 subjects receiving standard addiction treatment (OT-CD group), but not EEG-BFB. OT-CD subjects completed a 2-week inpatient program followed by 18 outpatient sessions. Pre/post assessment and follow-up data was collected on the OT-CD group. The OT-CD group's post-assessment results showed three elevations (MMPI-2 scales 4/6/8), suggestive of characteriological problems. Post-MMPI-2 results of the two groups were compared via ANCOVAs. Findings indicated no significant differences between groups on targeted scales; however, there was a trend for the EEG-BFB group to have lower scores. Follow-up data was obtained on 13 EEG-BFB subjects. Results indicated 92% ( n = 12) were sober, with 8% (n = 1) claiming significantly reduced alcohol intake. Probationer re-arrest and revocation rates were collected on the subset of probationers (n = 14 out of 15). The majority of the probationers (79%, n = 11) had not been re-arrested nor had their probation been revoked. Short-term follow-up information (35-131 days post-assessment), available at the time of writing, for the OT-CD group (N = 13) showed 85% (n = 11) were sober, with 15% (n = 2) relapsed. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.
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