Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback最新文献

 Top performance in military aviation relies on strong health. Handgrip strength is key, showing overall strength and work capacity. Since rarefied air affects focus and mission success, respiratory training is essential. The impact of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga on Portuguese Air Force Academy pilots from the 2021 and 2022 classes was assessed, aiming to enhance health, lung capacity, and strength. A randomized controlled trial involved 18 individuals from the "Masters in Military Aeronautics: aviator pilot specialist". Participants were randomly assigned to yoga classes (intervention n=10) or a waiting list (control n=8). General health, strength, and respiratory capacity were measured using SF-36 questionnaire, a hand-grip dynamometer, and a spirometer, respectively, before and after a 12-week yoga program. Parametric and non-parametric tests were conducted using Jamovi (version 2.3.26). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05821270, registered on April 19, 2023.Revealed significant within-group differences pre- vs post-intervention for general health, handgrip strength, and FEV1%. There was a significant difference between groups for lung capacity.Yoga participants showcased superior results versus controls, suggesting yoga's positive impact. The yoga protocol, in conjunction with military training, positively affected health, strength, and lung performance, highlighting its operational benefits even in highly trained individuals.

Anxiety-a prevalent mental health issue-is on the rise, leading to physical health problems, burnout, and societal challenges. Technological advances and limited mental health care have driven individuals toward self-monitoring devices, with biofeedback emerging as a key method for emotional regulation. Electrodermal biofeedback-though widely used-has shown mixed results in stress and anxiety management. Moreover, measurement sites for self-monitoring devices tend to be non-traditional sites such as the wrist. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a one-time electrodermal biofeedback session on state anxiety and evaluate the wrist as a viable feedback site. A randomized controlled primary study (N = 110) and a follow-up study (N  = 39) to confirm the results of the first study were conducted. Participants were randomized into control, feedback from fingers and feedback from the wrists conditions followed by a 10-min biofeedback session. Our results confirm the efficacy of a 10-min biofeedback session on self-reported state anxiety and skin conductance level, response amplitude and the number of non-specific responses. We found no significant differences between feedback received from the wrists, and feedback from the fingers. Additionally, our findings suggest that skin conductance level, response amplitude and the number of non-specific responses do not show a clear relationship with self-reported anxiety. In conclusion, there is evidence of feasibility of electrodermal biofeedback in managing state anxiety, and the wrist shows promise to be a viable site for biofeedback in anxiety management. Future research should explore the interactions between electrodermal activity and self-reported measures of anxiety to optimize biofeedback interventions.

The study addressed the necessity for effective interventions aimed at reducing performance anxiety-a critical variable influencing the quality of musical performance. The primary objective of the research was to evaluate the impact of a structured biofeedback-based training program designed to enhance music students' capacity for self-regulation and adaptation to performance-related stress. The research employed the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI, Chinese version) and the Music Performance Quality Scale (MPQ) to assess changes in anxiety levels and performance outcomes. Participants in the biofeedback training program demonstrated significant reductions in K-MPAI subscale scores: "Anxiety/Fear" (- 21.8%), "Depression/Hopelessness" (- 36.5%), "Proximal Somatic Anxiety" (- 41.6%), "Memory" (- 32.1%), and "Worry" (- 32.3%). Physiological indicators corroborated these findings, revealing marked improvements in heart rate variability (RMSSD: + 56%, p = 0.0002) and electromyographic relaxation (EMG amplitude: - 36%, p = 0.0013) among participants in the experimental group. Notably, MPQ scores increased by an average of 7.82 points in the experimental group, indicating that the reduction in performance anxiety through biofeedback techniques positively influenced the quality of musical execution. The results suggest that integrating biofeedback interventions into music education curricula may serve as an effective neurophysiological approach to optimizing both psychological resilience and performance quality.

Recent advancements in virtual reality (VR)-enhanced mindfulness training have demonstrated efficacy in reducing anxiety, particularly among novice practitioners and university students. However, existing VR mindfulness interventions predominantly rely on static natural environments without incorporating interactive elements, limiting their capacity to engage users dynamically. To address this gap, this study introduces an innovative interactive VR mindfulness system, where real-time heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback dynamically modulates the virtual environment (e.g., fog dissipation, auditory cues, and visual transformations), creating a responsive and immersive experience. We investigated the effects of a single five-minute interactive VR mindfulness session on anxiety, mindfulness states, and HRV, compared to traditional audio-based mindfulness and an non-intervention control. Seventy-five university students with recent anxiety symptoms were randomized into three groups: interactive VR mindfulness (VR-MG), traditional mindfulness (MG), and control (CG). Prior to and following the five-minute intervention, anxiety, mindfulness levels, and physiological data (HRV) were measured for all three groups, with repeated measures analysis of variance performed. The results showed that the five-minute VR mindfulness interactive training significantly improved participants' anxiety levels, enhanced their mindfulness states, and effectively increased HRV, whereas traditional mindfulness and control conditions showed no significant HRV changes. Overall, this study indicates that brief VR mindfulness interactive training has significant effects on improving anxiety and mindfulness states, as well as enhancing HRV, highlighting its potential for psychological health interventions.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a prevalent syndrome that costs billions of dollars annually. Finding meaningful interventions based upon predictive baseline EEG values can reduce uncertainty in symptom remediation. This study aims to deepen the understanding of ADHD neurophysiology and contribute to the development of personalized approaches in its treatment. This study retrospectively assessed EEG connectivity of participants in the International Collaborative ADHD Neurofeedback (ICAN) randomized controlled trial (7-10YO, N = 83) of theta/beta ratio neurofeedback (TBR-NFB). Using machine learning, it examined the relationship between inattention improvement on the Conners' Teacher and Parent Rating Scales (CTPRS) and specific baseline frequency connections within networks relevant to ADHD to find predictors of clinical improvement. Analyses were also performed considering specific comorbidities, slow cognitive tempo, ADHD presentation, pre-to-post network changes, and treatment group. Dysregulation in the ventral and dorsal attention networks, and delta and hibeta frequency bands throughout all networks were the strongest baseline connectivity predictors of clinical improvement on the CTPRS. The connectivity patterns predicting improvement differed significantly between active NFB and control. Other findings included predictors of improvements in EEG connectivity dysregulations, demographics, and connectivity patterns of comorbidity. Machine learning algorithms identified EEG features in connectivity, network, and frequency to assess when considering ADHD interventions. There was evidence, albeit weak, that the EEG features we studied predicted improvement with the ICAN TBR-NFB protocol. When considering interventions for ADHD symptoms, a multi-channel EEG evaluation that focuses on specific brain connectivity patterns may offer insight into treatment choice.

Biosensor-based, real-time stress detection has generated clinical interest for the purpose of driving just-in-time interventions that support recovery from mental disorders. Most stress detection models to date, however, have been trained with laboratory-based data from homogenous samples of healthy adults, and do not perform as well in clinical populations. As an initial step toward the development of a stress detection algorithm that functions well in clinical populations, we tested a series of stress-detection machine learning models on ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) and daily ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data collected from a sample of individuals in early recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Forty-four individuals ages 18-65 in the first year of a current AUD recovery attempt wore an ECG monitor for 4 days, while concurrently completing 3-times-daily EMA of stress. Data were segmented and normalized. Target features were identified using unsupervised learning models (e.g., t-SNE, cluster analysis) and supervised learning models were tuned to optimize model performance. As a comparator, we also tested these models with laboratory-derived stress data from a sample of healthy young adults. Before accounting for individual characteristics, we achieved a modest accuracy of 63% in our clinical sample, which compared to 94% accuracy in the laboratory-derived healthy young adult sample. After accounting for age and body-mass-index (BMI) we increased model accuracy up to 80% in our clinical sample. Stress detection is challenging in clinical populations; however, better prediction is possible with data normalization and stratification considering age and BMI.

The increasing use of technological devices has contributed to rising psychological stress among young people. Effectively managing this stress is essential for improving mental health and reducing its impact. This study examines the psychophysiological benefits of participating in a 15-min nature-based filming activity among modern Chinese adults. Participants were instructed to create a nature-themed film using a camera, and their experiences were compared to a control activity involving city-themed filmmaking for the same duration. Various measures, including blood pressure, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), electroencephalography (EEG), and the semantic differential method (SDM), were used to assess the effects of both activities.The results showed significant reductions in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure, along with notable changes in brain activity, during the nature-based filming. Psychological responses indicated that participants felt "moderately relaxed," "moderately comfortable," and "moderately natural," with lower anxiety levels after the nature-based filming compared to the control group. These findings suggest that engaging in outdoor, nature-based filming can effectively reduce psychophysiological stress in Chinese adults.

Music and medicine interventions are recognised for their effects on emotional regulation and stress reduction. However, limited research exists on how these interventions affect anxiety based on personality types, particularly in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music and medicine interventions on anxiety levels according to personality types in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. In a controlled, cross-sectional case-control study, 120 women were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group (music and medicine + chemotherapy) and a control group (chemotherapy only). The music playlist included classical, folk, and pop genres, and participants' anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Personality types were determined post-treatment using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire - Revised Short Form. Serum C-reactive protein levels, blood pressure, and heart rate were also measured. Significant reductions were observed in anxiety levels, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and serum C-reactive protein levels in the music intervention group compared to the control group. Neurotic individuals showed the most substantial improvement in anxiety, with reductions in systolic blood pressure and heart rate. Multivariate analysis revealed that both neurotic personality type and the music intervention were significant predictors of anxiety reduction. Music and medicine interventions provide notable benefits in reducing anxiety, particularly in neurotic individuals. Personalised music therapy based on personality types could enhance the quality of life for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. While this study focuses on the immediate effects of MMI during the first chemotherapy session, future research should explore the long-term impacts to better understand the sustained efficacy of such interventions in managing anxiety across multiple treatment cycles.