The present study examines a new alertness training strategy (Self-Alert Training, SAT) designed to explore the relationship between the top-down control processes governing arousal and sustained attention. In order to maximally target frontal control systems SAT combines a previously validated behavioural self-alerting technique [Robertson, I. H., Tegner, R., Tham, K., Lo, A., & Nimmo-Smith, I. (1995). Sustained attention training for unilateral neglect: Theoretical and rehabilitation implications. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 17, 416-430] with an autonomic arousal biofeedback protocol in which participants learn to modulate their own arousal levels. The SAT protocol was first validated with a group of 23 neurologically healthy participants and then independently tested in a group of 18 adults with ADHD to determine its clinical utility. Half of the participants in each group were assigned to a placebo condition to control for non-specific effects. All participants performed the sustained attention to response task (SART) during pre- and post-training testing sessions to assess training effects on sustained attention. By the end of SAT all participants were able to modulate their own arousal levels without external prompting. Comparison of pre- and post-training baseline data indicated that, as predicted, SAT was associated with increased levels of autonomic arousal accompanied by improved accuracy on the SART. In contrast, participants in the placebo condition exhibited a gradual reduction in arousal over time and increased reaction time variability indicative of a vigilance decrement. These data demonstrate that the recruitment of top-down control processes during volitional modulation of arousal leads to improved sustained attention. These findings have important implications for the rehabilitation of attention deficits arising from frontal dysfunction.

Neuropsychologia. 2007 Dec 27 O'Connell RG, Bellgrove MA, Dockree PM, Lau A, Fitzgerald M, Robertson IH. School of Psychology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback has been employed in substance use disorder (SUD) over the last three decades. The SUD is a complex series of disorders with frequent comorbidities and EEG abnormalities of several types. EEG biofeedback has been employed in conjunction with other therapies and may be useful in enhancing certain outcomes of therapy. Based on published clinical studies and employing efficacy criteria adapted by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research, alpha theta training-either alone for alcoholism or in combination with beta training for stimulant and mixed substance abuse and combined with residential treatment programs, is probably efficacious. Considerations of further research design taking these factors into account are discussed and descriptions of contemporary research are given.

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2008 Mar;33(1):1-28. Sokhadze TM, Cannon RL, Trudeau DL. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA, tato.sokhadze@louisville.edu.

This research is based on previous studies which identified a specific respiratory pattern and inhalation-exhalation ratio, with which we were able to obtain significantly greater reductions in psychophysiological activation than with other respiratory patterns. The present study aimed to check the effectiveness of this respiratory pattern in learning based on biofeedback from the electrical conductance of the skin. The results obtained demonstrated that biofeedback combined with this respiratory pattern produced a significant reduction in psychophysiological activation and improved learning through biofeedback techniques.

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2008 Mar;33(1):49-54. Conde Pastor M, Javier Menéndez F, Sanz MT, Vila Abad E. Department of Basic Psychology II, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), C/ Juan del Rosal, 10, 28040, Madrid, Spain, mconde@psi.uned.es.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback has been employed in substance use disorder (SUD) over the last three decades. The SUD is a complex series of disorders with frequent comorbidities and EEG abnormalities of several types. EEG biofeedback has been employed in conjunction with other therapies and may be useful in enhancing certain outcomes of therapy. Based on published clinical studies and employing efficacy criteria adapted by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research, alpha theta training-either alone for alcoholism or in combination with beta training for stimulant and mixed substance abuse and combined with residential treatment programs, is probably efficacious. Considerations of further research design taking these factors into account are discussed and descriptions of contemporary research are given.

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2008 Jan 24 Sokhadze TM, Cannon RL, Trudeau DL. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA, tato.sokhadze@louisville.edu.

The purpose of this article is to introduce a training program that can help diabetes educators get a fresh approach to assist their clients with the diabetes complication of limited peripheral blood flow. Biofeedback-assisted relaxation training is an educational and integrative intervention that supplements traditional medical care. Biofeedback-assisted relaxation training can be taught to the patient in a single setting. The relaxation training allows peripheral blood vessels to widen, providing enhanced circulation to peripheral tissues, including nerves. The training includes an explanation of relaxation and its effects on the patient, after which the technique is practiced with the assistance of thermal biofeedback. Biofeedback is an effective physiological training modality that teaches the patient what is going on in his or her own body. As the patient relaxes correctly, peripheral blood vessels dilate and blood flow improves, resulting in increased skin temperature. The change in skin temperature is measured with a small alcohol thermometer. Consistent relaxation yields significant outcomes such as improved peripheral blood flow, a reduction in peripheral pain, enhanced healing, improved ambulation, and increased coping skills in the patient's life.

Diabetes Educ. 2007 May-Jun;33(3):442, 444-5, 447-8, 454.

Rice BI.

University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Epidemiology Clinical Research Center, 1100 Washington Avenue S Suite 201, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA. ricex016@umn.edu

Electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback, also known as neurofeedback, is a promising alternative treatment for patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). EEG biofeedback therapy rewards scalp EEG frequencies that are associated with relaxed attention, and suppresses frequencies associated with under- or over-arousal. In large-scale clinical trials, the efficacy of EEG biofeedback for AD/HD is comparable to that of stimulant medications. Many different EEG biofeedback protocols for AD/HD are available. Single-channel protocols developed by Lubar and interhemispheric protocols developed by the Othmers are widely practiced and supported by large-scale clinical studies.

Altern Med Rev. 2007 Jun;12(2):146-151.

Friel PN.

Forensic toxicologist; EEG biofeedback training, EEG Institute, Woodland Hills, CA. Correspondence address: Washington State Toxicology Laboratory, Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau Suit 360, 2203 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134. Email: Pat.Friel@wsp.wa.gov.