Blood pressure biofeedback at home was compared with relaxation training and a combination of the two procedures for the treatment of essential hypertension, Ten subjects were taught to monitor blood pressure (BP) at home with electronic sphygmomanometers designed for self-use. Although situational factors appeared to have rather potent effects on BP levels, results suggested that training to control BP did generalize across situations. Although pretreatment BP level seemed to be related to the amount of reduction obtained, there was some evidence to indicate that subjects trained in behavioral methods of control could maintain BP in the average range after medication was discontinued, even if no significant reductions were obtained during treatment . Home practice of BP biofeedback was found to be the most successful single treatment for reducing systolic BP in the practice setting.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Cue-Controlled Relaxation on test anxiety of active duty military personnel, as measured by the Test Anxiety Inventory. The major hypothesis was stated in the null form.Eighty-five subjects volunteered to participate in the study. Using a table of random numbers, subjects within three intact classes were assigned to the three treatment conditions. There were 25 subjects in the Cue-Controlled Relaxation Treatment Group, 28 subjects in the Placebo Treatment Group, and 32 subjects in the No-Treatment Group of this Pretest/Posttest Non-Equivalent Control Group Design. The subjects were all students in the Primary Leadership Training courses of the Seventh Army Combined Arms Training Center (7th CATC) Non-Commissioned Officers' (NCO) Academy, Bad Toelz, Federal Republic of Germany. There were 12 females and 73 males in the total sample, ranging between 20 and 40 years of age.The Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) was used to measure test anxiety before treatment and after treatment. The TAI consists of 20 items relating to Worry, Emotionality and Total score.The major null hypothesis was tested through a One-way Multivariate Analysis of Variance. The three measures of the dependent variable in the three groups were highly correlated, indicating that they were assessing the same factor. No statistically significant difference was observed among the three groups. Therefore, the null hypothesis was not rejected.

The primary focus of this study was to determine the effects of thermal biofeedback training on the reading achievement (comprehension) of underachieving readers in the primary grades. A secondary purpose was to determine whether biofeedback training would alter the locus of control of the subjects involved. The study was based on the integration of research data supporting two related principles: (1) the positive relationships between locus of control and improved academic achievement and (2) the positive relationships between biofeedback and locus of control. Consequently, the theoretical foundation assumed that biofeedback should affect academic achievement.The study was conducted in the four largest elementary schools participating in federally funded Title I reading programs within a midwestern city. Participating Title I students in grades one through three were randomly selected and assigned to the experimental group (biofeedback trained) or to the control group (no treatment). The final sample and subsequent data analyses included 112 students: 52 controls and 60 experimentals. There was an even distribution of sex and race. The subjects were administered the California Achievement Test--Reading, 1977 and the Nowicki-Strickland Personal Reaction Survey as pre- and post-test measures.Biofeedback technicians were trained by a doctorate level person in procedural guidelines for thermal training. Instrumentation included the Cyborg J42 thermal trainer, Biotic Band II, and Physiologic trend indicators. Training occurred 15 minutes per session twice a week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Following biofeedback training, reading instruction proceeded as usual.Results of a correlated t test indicated that primary grade subjects were able to learn the technique of biofeedback training (p<.0001) in a group setting, with a recorded mean difference of 4.58 F. from baseline to peak temperature. Pre-post results of the dependent variable were analyzed using a 2x2x2 multivariate analysis of covariance. The three-way interaction for the treatment, race, and sex comparisons was significant at the .0099 probability level. Subsequent analysis indicated significantly improved reading comprehension for the biofeedback trained black females (p<.Ol) and white males (p<.0001). Also, thermal biofeedback training was found to significantly (p<.0001) affect locus of control toward a more internal direction, in all treatment groups.

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This thesis has explored the effects of three variables in thermal biofeedback training using false feedback. The three controlled variables in this study are: knowledge of response for the student experimenter, and training sessions. Knowledge of response refers to the identification of a particular internal response (either GSR or skin temperature) of a subject.Although not statistically significant, results for the knowledge of response variables were found to be in the theoretically predicted direction in all conditions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group thermal biofeedback training and relaxation as a means of changing locus of control. Additionally, the stability of the locus of control change, over time, was examined. Lastly, the proportion of achievement motivation which can be explained by locus of control was determined.Forty-nine ninth grade students were randomly assigned to biofeedback training, relaxation, or control. The nine treatment sessions were of 20 minutes duration and the students in the biofeedback group used mercury thermometers. Autogenic phrases were read as they attempted to increase their skin surface temperature. The relaxation group received the identical autogenic phrases as the biofeedback group, while the control group observed films during the treatment session.After the completion of the treatment, subjects were administered the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children and the Junior Index of Motivation (JIM) Scale.Hypothesis #1, which stated that the biofeedback group would change its locus of control toward internality, was rejected (P .7736). Hypothesis #2, which stated that the mean locus of control score for the biofeedback group would be significantly more internal than either the relaxation or control group, was similarly rejected (p .6353 and p .7736, respectively). Since the biofeedback group did not become more internal. Hypothesis #3, which was concerned with the stability of a shift in locus of control, was not tested. The multiple regression analysis resulted in an R of .4296 (p .0037). This suggests that a significant proportion of achievement motivation can be explained by locus of control. Males tended to score more internal than females, regardless of treatment, but not to a significant degree (p .0520). The biofeedback group had significantly increased their skin temperature as a result of the biofeedback ( p .001). It was concluded that while group thermal biofeedback training was effective in teaching the subjects to voluntarily control their skin surface temperature, it was not effective in altering their locus of control. Recommendations were made regarding using smaller group size or individual training, and pre-testing for initial locus of control levels to identify those with more external locus of control.

The present investigation compared the effectiveness of an autogenic feedback strategy and a Yoga-meditation strategy on the self-regulation of blood pressure. These strategies were compared with each other and with two control groups. Data were obtained from 19 males and 21 females on: 1) baseline and end of treatment pre-practice systolic blood pressure; 2) baseline and end of treatment pre-practice diastolic blood pressure; 3) baseline and end of treatment Medication Index; and 4) baseline and end of treatment Severity Index.It was anticipated that if there were an overall difference between group means on any of the dependent measures, the differences would occur between 1) the autogenic feedback strategy andthe control conditions, and 2) the Yoga-meditation strategy and the control conditions.A univariate analysis of variance was performed on the baseline data to insure that the groups were not statistically different at the start of treatment. A univariate analysis o variance was performed on the end of treatment data.The findings revealed that neither treatment strategy was more effective than the other, or more effective than the control groups at the end of treatment. The analysis of variance was performed on pre-practice measures which reflect "walking around" blood pressure comparable baseline measures. Even though there were moderate reductions in all four groups on pre-practice blood pressure levels and on the Medication and Severity Indices, the differences between groups were not significant. The validity and generalizability of these findings were discussed in light of previous research. Recommendations for further research were made.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether or not biofeedback had a differential effect on students' locus of control. A secondary purpose was to determine if subjects were able to acquire skill in raising their skin surface (finger) temperature using simple, inexpensive mercury thermometers in a group setting.Subjects were eleventh and twelfth grade psychology students. The study was conducted during the spring of 1979. Subjects were administered the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children as a pre-test. Obtained scores from this measure were divided into a one-third split on ranges of internality. All subjects then received six thermal training sessions over a two week time span. Mercury thermometers were placed on the subjects' index fingers, and autogenic phrases were introduced. During each session of approximately twenty minutes, the subjects recorded their baseline and peak temperatures, Following six treatment sessions, the Nowicki-Strickland Scale was again administered to all subjects. A three by two analysis of variance with repeated measures was employed to determine significant differences between the subjects' pre and post mean raw scores on the locus of control measure and the mean increase in temperature on the initial and final treatment days. Sex differences on locus of control and treatment differential were investigated by means of a two by two analysis of variance with repeated measures. Hypothesis I, which stated no significant difference among the mean scores of the high, middle, and low internal groups on the locus of control measure, was rejected (F= 119.7; p <.01). An F ratio of 12,3 (p <.001) indicated a significant difference between the pre-and post-test mean scores on the locus of control measure, Thus, Hypothesis II was also rejected. Contrasts determined that subjects scoring in the middle one-third range of internality were most affected by the biofeedback training.An F ratio of 15.08 (p.<001) indicated a significant difference between the mean increase in temperature on the initial day of treatment and the same mean increase on the final day. Thus, Hypothesis III was rejected. Hypothesis IV was not rejected as no difference was found among the means of the three groups on the treatment increase measure. Contrasts determined that subjects scoring in the lower one-third range of internality were most successful in increasing temperature.Hypothesis V, which stated no difference between mean scores of males and females., on the locus of control measure was not rejected, An F ratio of 8.68 for the effect of the repeated measure of locus of control was significant at the .05 level across sexes, Contrasts determined that the difference was attributed primarily to female subjects.A significant difference across sexes on the repeated measure of tempeature increase was also found (F= 11,73; p.<01). Contrasts determined a significant F ratio of 11.26 (p-<.05) for males and 5.88 (:p<.05) for females. Thus, males, as a group, and females, as a group, had significant differences between mean temperature increase on the initial and final days.Within the limitations of the present study, several conclusions were made based on the statistical analyses of the data, Biofeedback training did alter one's locus of control, moving the trait in the direction of internality. The subjects did learn to increase their skin surface (finger) temperature using common, inexpensive mercury thermometers in a group setting.Recommendations were made for further study to include replication using an experimental control design, conducting the study over a longer period of time, and using more subjects, possibly elementary-age students.

Typescript (photocopy) / 553 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Psychiatry, 1982