Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback最新文献

HRV is clinically considered to be a surrogate measure of the asymmetrical interplay of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. While HRV has become an increasingly measured variable through commercially-available wearable devices, HRV is not routinely monitored or utilized in healthcare settings at this time. The purpose of this narrative review is to discuss and evaluate the current research and potential future applications of HRV in several medical specialties, including critical care, cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, infectious disease, hematology and oncology, neurology and rehabilitation, sports medicine, surgery and anesthesiology, rheumatology and chronic pain, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry/psychology. A narrative literature review was conducted with search terms including HRV and relevant terminology to the medical specialty in question. While HRV has demonstrated promise for some diagnoses as a non-invasive, easy to use, and cost-effective metric for early disease detection, prognosis and mortality prediction, disease monitoring, and biofeedback therapy, several issues plague the current literature. Substantial heterogeneity exists in the current HRV literature which limits its applicability in clinical practice. However, applications of HRV in psychiatry, critical care, and in specific chronic diseases demonstrate sufficient evidence to warrant clinical application regardless of the surmountable research issues. More data is needed to understand the exact impact of standardizing HRV monitoring and treatment protocols on patient outcomes in each of the clinical contexts discussed in this paper.

Virtual reality (VR) therapy can potentially enhance upper extremity recovery and motivation in stroke rehabilitation. The BTS Nirvana system, equipped with infrared sensors and real-time audiovisual feedback, enables objective performance recording and supports task-oriented, intensive exercises. This study evaluates the combined effect of VR therapy using BTS Nirvana and conventional rehabilitation on upper extremity functions in subacute stroke patients. This randomized, controlled, single-masked study included 22 subacute hemiplegic patients divided into a virtual reality group (n = 11) and a control group (n = 11). Both groups received conventional therapy for three weeks, with the VR group undergoing additional sessions using the BTS Nirvana system. Upper extremity functions were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity scale, Brunnstrom stage, Functional Reach Test, Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity tests, and range of motion measurements. Both groups showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in most outcomes, except for shoulder adduction (p = 0.222) and shoulder external rotation (p = 0.113). Intergroup analysis favored the VR group for upper extremity Brunnstrom stage (p = 0.030), shoulder external rotation (p = 0.029), and Chedoke arm test scores (p = 0.039). Time-group interaction analysis also highlighted superior improvements in the VR group for these measures (p < 0.05). The BTS Nirvana system is a safe and effective complement to conventional therapy, offering intensive and repetitive training for upper extremity rehabilitation in subacute stroke patients. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended treatment durations is needed to confirm these findings and refine treatment protocols.

The young working population experiences a high level of perceived stress. Stress distorts our sympathovagal balance which maintains homeostasis in our body and leads to stress related diseases. This stress can be reduced by practicing yoga, which has various components that can bring a sensation of calmness and increased awareness. Heart rate variability (HRV) being a non-invasive technique is a good method for assessing sympathovagal balance. The present study aimed to determine the immediate changes in HRV in young adults following Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama (NSP). The study was initiated in the Physiology Department of our medical college. 40 naive to pranayama, volunteers of both genders aged 20–40 years were recruited for the study. Their perceived stress scale (PSS) score and ECG in lead II were recorded. Before ECG recording and NSP performance, volunteers were demonstrated the NSP technique by a certified yoga trainer. A 15-minute baseline ECG recording pre-NSP, followed by a 15-minute ECG recording post-NSP for HRV analysis in recovery phase was attained using a digital polygraph. Blood pressure was noted before and at the end of ECG recording. Analysis of variability in HRV was done before and after the performance of NSP. Compared to baseline readings, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a significant increase in HRV parameters like SDNN (standard deviation of RR Intervals adjacent normal to normal intervals), and HF (high frequency), along with a significant decrease LF (low frequency), LF/HF (low/high frequency) ratio was observed post NSP practice. p < 0.05 was considered as significant. We conclude that the practice of NSP even for short period can shift the balance of the ANS toward the PNS.

This study aimed to explore the moderating role of cortisol stress reactivity in the relationship between home chaos and child conduct problems among Chinese preschoolers, and further reveal these moderating patterns in boys and girls. The researchers employed a longitudinal design, surveying 160 preschool-aged children (73 boys, 87 girls) and their parents at two separate time points annually. The findings revealed a positive correlation between home chaos and child conduct problems, with cortisol stress reactivity acting as a significant moderator. Further analysis showed that low cortisol reactivity amplified the association between home chaos and child conduct problems for both boys and girls, although the interaction between cortisol reactivity and home chaos reached statistical significance only for boys. These results highlight the importance of considering the interplay between individual physiological factors, such as cortisol reactivity, and environmental risks like home chaos, in understanding behavioral outcomes in young children and further underscore the necessity of tailored interventions that account for both biological and environmental influences on child development.

There are established evidence-based interventions for children with various medical and psychological conditions. In addition, there is evidence supporting biofeedback to treat some of these conditions. However, there remains a gap in the literature in addressing how the practicing clinical psychologist or therapist can apply principles of psychotherapy to enhance biofeedback, as well as how components of biofeedback can enhance the application of evidence-based psychotherapies for children. This article utilizes a case-based approach to highlight some notable pathways for appropriate integration between psychotherapy techniques and biofeedback. It concludes with a summary of the current gaps and opportunities for research to address, as well as opportunities for clinicians and researchers to collaborate to better understand the real-world applications of successful integration of biofeedback with psychotherapy when treating children.

Special operations forces (SOF) soldiers are elite fighters and tactical professionals who perform in high-stress environments. SOF selection processes aim to identify candidates who can sustain performance in high-stress and changing conditions. The vagal nerve is a crucial moderator of stress responses, and its activity (indexed by heart rate variability, HRV) has been shown to predict performance and psycho-physiological resilience in various settings. However, its predictive validity needs to be clarified. This study examined the relationship between HRV and success in an intensive selection procedure. In a historical prospective study, we derived an HRV parameter (root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats, RMSSD) from a 10-second ECG of 365 candidates for an SOF naval unit. The ECG was taken approximately two months before the selection procedure. The predictive validity of other routinely obtained measures was also considered. High RMSSD was significantly associated with success, but this relation disappeared after controlling for confounders (e.g., running score). However, after matching pairs of successful and non-successful candidates on confounders, HRV was again significantly related to course performance. The results of this study support the predictive value of HRV for tactical professionals. Given the high cost of training elite soldiers and the burden they undergo, improving accuracy of the selection processes may reduce the burden on candidates and lead to resource savings. Future studies should measure HRV at several time points with longer ECG records.

This study examines the impact of wearable technologies on posture and movement accuracy in pianists during the learning process. The primary objective was to determine how the use of the Upright Go biofeedback device influences physical parameters and the effectiveness of exercise performance. To achieve this goal, a comparative study was conducted, in which participants were divided into two groups. Participants in Group A utilized the Upright Go device for posture monitoring and correction, whereas Group B followed a traditional training methodology. The study involved students from the Shenyang Conservatory of music, with 30 participants in each group. Prior to using the device, an individual posture calibration session was conducted for Group A. Over a 4-week period, both groups practiced for 1 h daily, performing identical musical exercises. At the end of the course, participants completed a test assignment designed to assess changes in posture and movement accuracy. To analyze the results, quantitative methods, including Student’s t-test and ANCOVA, were employed, alongside qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The findings indicated that participants in Group A demonstrated a significant improvement in spinal deviation angle (an average of 6.4° compared to 13.7° in Group B), as well as greater accuracy and fluidity of movements. Additionally, participants using the device reported a reduction in physical tension and discomfort during practice sessions. Statistical analysis confirmed the significant influence of wearable technologies on key aspects of piano learning. This study highlights the potential for integrating wearable devices into educational processes aimed at enhancing students’ awareness of proper posture and developing precise movement coordination skills. The findings may contribute to the development of innovative methodologies in music education and the improvement of musicians’ physical training.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a significant clinical challenge with limited treatment options. Although electroencephalogram (EEG) neurofeedback has garnered attention as a prospective treatment modality for PTSD, no comprehensive meta-analysis has been conducted to assess its efficacy and compare different treatment protocols. This study aims to provide a multi-variable meta-regression analysis of EEG neurofeedback’s impact on PTSD symptoms, while also assessing variables that may influence treatment outcomes. A systematic review was performed to identify controlled studies exploring for the efficacy of EEG neurofeedback on PTSD. The overall effectiveness was evaluated through meta-analysis, and a multi-variable meta-regression was employed to discern factors affecting the EEG neurofeedback efficacy. EEG neurofeedback demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms immediately post-intervention, with sustained effects observed at one-month and three-month follow-ups. A sub-analysis of sham-controlled studies confirmed that outcomes were not attributable to placebo effects. Sensitivity analysis revealed that excluding two outlying studies resolved heterogeneity entirely, and all subsequent analyses were conducted on the refined dataset. While initial analyses identified target frequency, target region, and feedback modality as significant moderators, meta-regressions controlling for publication year revealed that these effects were confounded by temporal trends in study design and methodological rigor. In contrast, variables related to treatment duration, such as session number, session length, or weeks of intervention, were not significant moderators. These findings suggest that EEG neurofeedback is robust across protocol variations and highlight the importance of methodological advancements in interpreting treatment efficacy. EEG neurofeedback emerges as a promising and robust treatment modality for PTSD, demonstrating sustained therapeutic effects across follow-up periods. Our findings confirm its efficacy beyond placebo effects and highlight the stability of outcomes across diverse neurofeedback protocols. This study underscores the importance of methodological rigor and standardization in EEG neurofeedback research and advocates for larger, well-controlled trials to refine and optimize treatment protocols. These findings reaffirm EEG neurofeedback’s potential as a cost-effective and scalable intervention, while encouraging future research into alternative methodologies to enhance efficacy and expand accessibility.