Biofeedback vs. instructional control of skin temperature. 1978

F J Keefe

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the effects of instructions vs. biofeedback on the development of skin temperature self-control and (2) to assess how well learned control over temperature can be retained over time. Sixty female subjects were assigned to one of six groups: (1) response-specific instructions plus feedback, (2) thermal suggestions plus feedback, (3) instructions to rest plus feedback, (4) response-specific instructions without feedback, (5) thermal suggestions without feedback, and (6) instructions to rest without feedback. All subjects participated in five training sessions on 5 consecutive days and two follow-up sessions spaced 1 week and 2 weeks after training. Subjects given either feedback and response-specific instructions, feedback and thermal suggestions, or no feedback and thermal suggestions were able to produce significant increases in digital skin temperature consistently after three training sessions. Subjects in these groups retained the ability to control skin temperature both 1 and 2 weeks after training. Subjects in the remaining conditions showed no evidence of learned control over skin temperature.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005260 Female Females
D005385 Fingers Four or five slender jointed digits in humans and primates, attached to each HAND. Finger
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001676 Biofeedback, Psychology The therapy technique of providing the status of one's own AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM function (e.g., skin temperature, heartbeats, brain waves) as visual or auditory feedback in order to self-control related conditions (e.g., hypertension, migraine headaches). Biofeedback (Psychology),Bogus Physiological Feedback,False Physiological Feedback,Feedback, Psychophysiologic,Biofeedback,Feedback, Psychophysiological,Myofeedback,Psychophysiologic Feedback,Biofeedbacks,Biofeedbacks (Psychology),Biofeedbacks, Psychology,Bogus Physiological Feedbacks,False Physiological Feedbacks,Feedback, Bogus Physiological,Feedback, False Physiological,Feedbacks, Bogus Physiological,Feedbacks, False Physiological,Myofeedbacks,Physiological Feedback, Bogus,Physiological Feedback, False,Physiological Feedbacks, Bogus,Physiological Feedbacks, False,Psychology Biofeedback,Psychology Biofeedbacks
D012881 Skin Temperature The TEMPERATURE at the outer surface of the body. Skin Temperatures,Temperature, Skin,Temperatures, Skin
D013404 Suggestion The uncritical acceptance of an idea or plan of action. Suggestions

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