Attention Mechanisms in EMG Biofeedback

This study assessed the impact of selected task, instructional and personological variables as they contribute to relaxation during frontalis EMG biofeedback. Subjects (_n = 60) divided equally by sex and high versus low absorption were randomly assigned to one of five groups. Four groups (n = 48) comprised a Feedback x Instruction factorial and were provided either contingent or noncontingent feedback information and pre-training instructions that either emphasized a passive attention approach to acquired self-relaxation or were nonspecific. Care was taken to avoid task instructions for noncontingent feedback subjects which would be deceiving or countertherapeutic. A fifth no-treatment (resting) control group was also included to assess the affects of adaptation on frontalis EMG. Relaxation was operationally defined by changes in frontalis EMG as observed across three training sessions. The results indicated that subjects receiving contingent EMG biofeedback were significantly lower in frontalis muscle tension across sessions. However, subjects in general did not demonstrate a significant negative linear trend in EMG during training and treatment conditions did not differ significantly from no-treatment controls in rate of within-session decline of EMG. Pre-training instructions, gender and absorption main effects were nonsignificant but a significant Instruction x Sex x Absorption interaction was obtained. Relaxation performance during Session 1 was found to significantly predict EMG levels for Session 3. The findings were interpreted to provide only partial support for the efficacy of EMG biofeedback. In addition, learned control of relaxation was viewed as a complex process involving interactions among instructional, task and individual difference factors

Attention Mechanisms in EMG Biofeedback

This study assessed the impact of selected task, instructional and personological variables as they contribute to relaxation during frontalis EMG biofeedback. Subjects (_n = 60) divided equally by sex and high versus low absorption were randomly assigned to one of five groups. Four groups (n = 48) comprised a Feedback x Instruction factorial and were provided either contingent or noncontingent feedback information and pre-training instructions that either emphasized a passive attention approach to acquired self-relaxation or were nonspecific. Care was taken to avoid task instructions for noncontingent feedback subjects which would be deceiving or countertherapeutic. A fifth no-treatment (resting) control group was also included to assess the affects of adaptation on frontalis EMG. Relaxation was operationally defined by changes in frontalis EMG as observed across three training sessions. The results indicated that subjects receiving contingent EMG biofeedback were significantly lower in frontalis muscle tension across sessions. However, subjects in general did not demonstrate a significant negative linear trend in EMG during training and treatment conditions did not differ significantly from no-treatment controls in rate of within-session decline of EMG. Pre-training instructions, gender and absorption main effects were nonsignificant but a significant Instruction x Sex x Absorption interaction was obtained. Relaxation performance during Session 1 was found to significantly predict EMG levels for Session 3. The findings were interpreted to provide only partial support for the efficacy of EMG biofeedback. In addition, learned control of relaxation was viewed as a complex process involving interactions among instructional, task and individual difference factors

Attention Mechanisms in EMG Biofeedback

This study assessed the impact of selected task, instructional and personological variables as they contribute to relaxation during frontalis EMG biofeedback. Subjects (_n = 60) divided equally by sex and high versus low absorption were randomly assigned to one of five groups. Four groups (n = 48) comprised a Feedback x Instruction factorial and were provided either contingent or noncontingent feedback information and pre-training instructions that either emphasized a passive attention approach to acquired self-relaxation or were nonspecific. Care was taken to avoid task instructions for noncontingent feedback subjects which would be deceiving or countertherapeutic. A fifth no-treatment (resting) control group was also included to assess the affects of adaptation on frontalis EMG. Relaxation was operationally defined by changes in frontalis EMG as observed across three training sessions. The results indicated that subjects receiving contingent EMG biofeedback were significantly lower in frontalis muscle tension across sessions. However, subjects in general did not demonstrate a significant negative linear trend in EMG during training and treatment conditions did not differ significantly from no-treatment controls in rate of within-session decline of EMG. Pre-training instructions, gender and absorption main effects were nonsignificant but a significant Instruction x Sex x Absorption interaction was obtained. Relaxation performance during Session 1 was found to significantly predict EMG levels for Session 3. The findings were interpreted to provide only partial support for the efficacy of EMG biofeedback. In addition, learned control of relaxation was viewed as a complex process involving interactions among instructional, task and individual difference factors

Are biofeedback techniques effective in reducing stress in the workplace?

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not biofeedback techniques are effective in reducing stress in the workplace. Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one containing a 28 day trial extension, published in peer reviewed journals from 2011-2012, all in the English language. Data Sources: All studies were found using PubMed. Outcomes measured: All three studies measured stress reduction through biofeedback techniques using subjective patient questionnaires. Results: All studies showed that biofeedback techniques were effective in reducing workplace stress compared to the control. Manocha et al. made a further distinction between mental silence meditation and relaxation-oriented meditation which includes similar aspects such as relaxation and reflection but would not be considered a true biofeedback technique. Conclusions: Based on the results of these studies, it seems that there is a benefit of using biofeedback techniques to reduce stress in the workplace. Further research should attempt to; explore the long term benefits across workers in diversified fields, minimize the time and effort it takes to utilize these techniques, and explore the impact technological advances could have on these modalities, all of which would likely increase the usage and effectiveness of these techniques

Spartan Daily, October 21, 1980

Volume 75, Issue 36https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/6672/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, October 21, 1980

Volume 75, Issue 36https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/6672/thumbnail.jp

Effects of theta-frequency binaural beats on post-exercise recovery and stress responsivity

Binaural beats are an auditory illusion perceived when two or more pure tones of similar frequencies are presented dichotically through stereo headphones. This phenomenon is thought to have the potential to facilitate changes in arousal. The present study investigated the effects of 7 Hz binaural beating on post-exercise recovery and stress responsivity in college-aged students (n = 21; 18-29 years old).Theta binaural beats failed to outperform placebo in altering post-exercise recovery or stress responsivity. However, after listening to binaural beats, participants reported feeling more relaxed (6.4% change) and less stressed (11.5% change). Findings from the present study suggest that listening to binaural beats may have subtle psychological effects