relaxation
Research Papers
Electrodermal Activity Biofeedback Alters Evolving Functional Brain Networks in People With Epilepsy, but in a Non-specific Manner
There is evidence that biofeedback of electrodermal activity (EDA) can reduce seizure frequency in people with epilepsy. Prior studies have linked EDA biofeedback to a diffuse brain activation as a potential functional mechanism. Here, we investigated whether short-term EDA biofeedback alters EEG-derived large-scale functional brain networks in people with epilepsy. In this prospective controlled trial, thirty participants were quasi-randomly assigned to one of three biofeedback conditions (arousal, sham, or relaxation) and performed a single, 30-min biofeedback training while undergoing continuous EEG recordings. Based on the EEG, we derived evolving functional brain networks and examined their topological, robustness, and stability properties over time. Potential effects on attentional-executive functions and mood were monitored via a neuropsychological assessment and subjective self-ratings. Participants assigned to the relaxation group seemed to be most successful in meeting the task requirements for this specific control condition (i.e., decreasing EDA). Participants in the sham group were more successful in increasing EDA than participants in the arousal group. However, only the arousal biofeedback training was associated with a prolonged robustness-enhancing effect on networks. Effects on other network properties were mostly unspecific for the different groups. None of the biofeedback conditions affected attentional-executive functions or subjective behavioral measures. Our results suggest that global characteristics of evolving functional brain networks are modified by EDA biofeedback. Some alterations persisted after the single training session; however, the effects were largely unspecific across the different biofeedback protocols. Further research should address changes of local network characteristics and whether multiple training sessions will result in more specific network modifications.
View Full Paper →The Impact of Different Sounds on Stress Level in the Context of EEG, Cardiac Measures and Subjective Stress Level: A Pilot Study
Everyone experiences stress at certain times in their lives. This feeling can motivate, however, if it persists for a prolonged period, it leads to negative changes in the human body. Stress is characterized, among other things, by increased blood pressure, increased pulse and decreased alpha-frequency brainwave activity. An overview of the literature indicates that music therapy can be an effective and inexpensive method of improving these factors. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of various types of music on stress level in subjects. The conducted experiment involved nine females, aged 22. All participants were healthy and did not have any neurological or psychiatric disorders. The test included four types of audio stimuli: silence (control sample), rap, relaxing music and music triggering an autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) phenomenon. The impact of individual sound types was assessed using data obtained from four sources: a fourteen-channel electroencephalograph, a blood pressure monitor, a pulsometer and participant’s subjective stress perception. The conclusions from the conducted study indicate that rap music negatively affects the reduction of stress level compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whereas relaxing music and ASMR calms subjects much faster than silence (p < 0.05).
View Full Paper →EEG biofeedback and relaxation training in the control of epileptic seizures
Research utilizing sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) biofeedback with epileptics suggests that it is useful in decreasing seizures. Subjects were 6 young adults with a diagnosis of epilepsy of at least two years who had been unable to control their seizures with different regimens of anticonvulsant medications. Subjects ranged from severely mentally handicapped to above average functioning. Seizure type, frequency, and duration were recorded by subjects and caretakers. Measures of operant learning were percent time in SMR. The experiment utilized a single subject multiple baseline design which consisted of 6 phases: baseline one, relaxation training; baseline two, biofeedback training one; baseline three, biofeedback treatment two and follow-up. The results of this study are in agreement with other studies using SMR biofeedback. All subjects were able to significantly increase percent time in SMR. Five out of the 6 subjects demonstrated decreases in seizure frequency during the treatment phase. Two of the 6 subjects benefited from relaxation training. Four subjects demonstrated significant negative correlations between percent SMR and seizure rates. Consistent with other studies utilizing multiple baseline designs, a majority of the subjects did not follow the design of the study.
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