Johns Hopkins University this week reported a research study of neurofeedback for depression. This proof-of-concept study was small scale but interesting in at least two ways. Continue reading
Category Archives: Biofeedback
HRV Biofeedback and Brain Injury
This week I came across a research study of Heart Rate Variability biofeedback training for executive function in brain injury patients. The results suggest that individuals with severe chronic brain injury can learn to increase their heart rate coherence using biofeedback, and HRV correlates with emotional and cognitive regulation in this group, but further research is needed to evaluate HRV biofeedback as a therapy for behavioural problems. Continue reading
Quicksand in the Concert Hall
Yesterday on Radio 4′s the Today programme there was an item about coughing during classical concerts. Apparently these days it’s much more common and bothers many performers and concert goers alike. Research shows that people cough twice as often during concerts compared to ordinary life. On reflection I didn’t find that too surprising. What I did find surprising was how mystified everyone seemed to be about why it should be so. Continue reading
Can biofeedback techniques help anxiety disorders and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Can biofeedback techniques help the treatment of anxiety disorders and the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in particular?
This post is a guest article by Antonio Martins-Mourao, PhD, who is a practising Clinical Psychologist and a Lecturer in Psychophysiology and Mental Health, at the Open University, where he also runs the QEEG & Brain Research Lab currently researching Anxiety disorders. Continue reading
Does HRV Biofeedback Help Mindfulness Meditation?
I use biofeedback a lot in my personal mindfulness meditation practice (I find it helps me maintain focus). One of forms I use is Heart Rate Variability (HRV) (also known as Heart Rate Coherence) biofeedback. What difference does having the feedback actually make? This week I tried investigating this question at least somewhat objectively. I recorded two short mindfulness sessions, one with feedback and the other just passive recording. In this blog post I want to write about the results. Continue reading
Optimal Performance Training with Biofeedback and Neurofeedback
With the Olympic games currently in full swing it’s an opportune moment to blog about optimal performance training with biofeedback and neurofeedback. Actually a lot of elite athletes are using biofeedback to enhance their performance. It’s a pity they don’t talk more about it – perhaps they want to keep the keys of success a secret.
Biofeedback and neurofeedback are tools that help with the mental side of performance – and of course that’s a major part! But you don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit. The kind of skills that biofeedback develops are relevant to everyone – skills such as:
- the ability to keep the mind focused, clear and sharp
- the ability to achieve inner calm in the face of stressors
- flexibility of mind – ramping up to peak performance at the key moments but then relaxing again afterwards, not getting trapped in a state of over-arousal. Continue reading
How Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Can Help Chronic Pain
In my last post I wrote about a recent seminar given by Richard Gevirtz in London. In this post I want to write about a fascinating theory of chronic pain he presented. More specifically it’s a theory of myofascial pain – a kind of pain felt over certain areas of the body including back pain, shoulder pain and some tension headaches. Continue reading
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training with Richard Gevirtz
Professor Richard Gevirtz is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (also known as Heart Rate Coherence biofeedback). Last week he visited the UK and delivered a two day training seminar focusing on the applications of HRV biofeedback. I was in attendance and like the other delegates was (re-)inspired by the power and potential of this technique. I wanted to devote this blog post to summarising some of the main themes. Continue reading
Heart Rate Coherence During Meditation
I recently came across a paper by some researchers in Thailand who recorded Heart Rate Variability in experienced Buddhist monks as they practiced concentrative meditation. They found that the monks naturally developed a high level of Heart Rate Coherence (HRC). This was of great personal interest to me because for some years now I’ve been using HRC biofeedback in support of my meditation practice. In this blog post I explore the relationship between HRC and meditation and mindfulness. Continue reading
Brain Activity: Intense Focus Versus Watching TV
I recorded my brain activity during a HEG neurofeedback session. More specifically, that means I recorded changes in infra-red heat radiation coming from my forehead. This form of biofeedback is used to train “executive function”, which is the job of the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain behind the forehead). In this session I interspersed periods of intense focus with watching TV. You can see the results in the graph below. Continue reading