Asthma severity, psychophysiological indicators of arousal, and immune function in asthma patients undergoing biofeedback-assisted relaxation.

Asthma is characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness, inflammation, and reversible obstruction. Respiratory tract infection, allergies, air pollution, and psychosocial factors impact the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms. Pharmacotherapy and self-care are the major components in the management of asthma, but behavioral interventions also have the potential to affect asthma morbidity. We conducted a small, randomized controlled study, examining the effects of biofeedback-assisted relaxation in 16 nonsmokers with nonsteroid-dependent mild asthma. Data were collected on asthma symptoms, pulmonary function, indicators of arousal, and cellular immune factors. The trained group evidenced a decrease in forehead muscle tension in comparison to the controls, but no changes in peripheral skin temperature. Decreases in asthma severity and bronchodilator medication usage for the experimental group were observed. Pulmonary function testing revealed a significant difference between groups in FEV1/FVC at posttest, with the E group having a higher ratio than the controls. The cellular immune data showed no significant group differences in total white blood cell or lymphocyte counts, but decreases over time were observed. Significant differences were observed in the numbers of neutrophils and basophils in the trained group compared to controls, which supports the concept of decreased inflammation. Results of delayed-type hypersensitivity skin testing suggested enhanced function, but they were not conclusive. These findings, though limited by size of population, suggest a positive effect of biofeedback-assisted relaxation in young, nonsteroid-dependent asthmatics. The mechanisms underlying linkages between psychological, behavioral, and immune responses in asthma require further study.

Outcome of biofeedback-assisted relaxation for neurocardiogenic syncope and headache: a clinical replication series.

Preliminary evidence exists through single case reports that psychophysiological interventions may be useful in the treatment of syncope (fainting). To explore this possibility, a case series of ten patients with histories of recurrent unexplained syncope or near syncope, headache, and a poor response to or tolerance for medication was performed. All patients were treated with electromyographic, thermal, biofeedback as well as progressive and autogenic relaxation. Six of the ten patients showed a major decrease in symptoms at the end of treatment. Descriptive comparisons between the improved and unimproved group were made and a detailed case study of one improved patient is presented. The results suggested that biofeedback-assisted relaxation treatment was most effective in younger patients whose syncope was associated with a strong psychophysiological response and whose headaches were intermittent, not daily occurrences.

Management of a patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus learning biofeedback-assisted relaxation.

Psychological stress can have profound disruptive effects upon glycemic control in individuals with diabetes. Presented here is a case study in which biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques were used to help a young woman with a 10-year history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus to more effectively manage stress, thereby improving glycemic control. Hypoglycemia is a frequently encountered problem with this technique, so the patient was taught to identify causes of hypoglycemic episodes and to take action to prevent their occurrence. The team approach of a diabetes nurse educator working in conjunction with a biofeedback therapist was vital to the success of this program.

Relaxation based treatment of stress induced syncope.

Treatment of stress induced syncope is described, using a relaxation based behavioral approach with a male client with a long history of syncope. The client learned to interrupt the presyncopal phase and thus to prevent syncope in stressful situations. The rationale for use of this new application of relaxation training is discussed.

The effect of biofeedback-assisted relaxation training on blood pressure and selected biochemical parameters in patients with essential hypertension.

The effect of EMG biofeedback-assisted relaxation on blood pressure and selected biochemical parameters was evaluated in 38 patients with essential hypertension. Training consisted of 8 weeks of biofeedback and home practice of relaxation exercises. Mean blood pressure decreased in the experimental group from 144/90 to 133/84 mm Hg while the control group remained unchanged. Statistically significant decreases in the experimental group also occurred in muscle tension levels, in plasma aldosterone, and in urinary cortisol. Both aldosterone and cortisol are secreted by the adrenal cortex. It was concluded that the technique taught to the experimental group produced a reduction in skeletal muscle tension and a decrease in stress responding mediated by the adrenal cortex.