An experiment to test generalization of feedback from frontalis EMG. 1980

A Le Boeuf

60 subjects participated in a test of the effectiveness of frontalis EMG feedback as a generalized relaxation technique. The experiment was performed in two parts. In the first part, 30 subjects were randomly allocated to a group receiving frontalis EMG feedback (n = 10), a group receiving non-contingent feedback (n = 10) and a group instructed to relax themselves (n = 10). Each group received one baseline session and five training sessions. EMG measurements from the frontalis, trapezius and masseter muscles taken prior to and immediately after the final training session indicated that the frontalis feedback group was more effective in lowering frontalis and masseter EMG activity (though not trapezius activity) than the controls. The second part of the experiment was identical to the first with the exception that the subsidiary muscle sites were the forearm and leg extensors. The results showed that frontalis feedback was no more effective than controls in lowering the EMG levels of these muscles.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007866 Leg The inferior part of the lower extremity between the KNEE and the ANKLE. Legs
D008406 Masseter Muscle A masticatory muscle whose action is closing the jaws. Masseter Muscles,Muscle, Masseter,Muscles, Masseter
D009126 Muscle Relaxation That phase of a muscle twitch during which a muscle returns to a resting position. Muscle Relaxations,Relaxation, Muscle,Relaxations, Muscle
D004576 Electromyography Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes. Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D005152 Facial Muscles Muscles of facial expression or mimetic muscles that include the numerous muscles supplied by the facial nerve that are attached to and move the skin of the face. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Mimetic Muscles,Facial Muscle,Mimetic Muscle,Muscle, Facial,Muscle, Mimetic,Muscles, Facial,Muscles, Mimetic
D005260 Female Females
D005542 Forearm Part of the upper extremity in humans and primates extending from the ELBOW to the WRIST. Antebrachium,Antebrachiums,Forearms
D005546 Forehead The part of the face above the eyes. Foreheads
D005794 Generalization, Response The principle that after an organism learns to respond in a particular manner to a stimulus, that stimulus is effective in eliciting similar responses. Generalizations, Response,Response Generalization,Response Generalizations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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