Este estudo teve como objetivo estudar uma placa oclusalcom estimulação vibratória (POV) de base, para o tratamento da dor crônica miofascial. Foram selecionados 18 pacientes com mialgia crônica facial, de acordo com os Critérios para Diagnóstico em Pesquisa RDC . Os pacientes tinham entre 18 e 65 anos de idade, pertenciam ao sexo feminino e haviam usado placa estebilizadora acrílica por mais de 6 meses, e permaneciam com dor muscular. Foram excluídos pacientes com Disfunção Temporomandibular, que haviam feito uso de analgésicos ou de moduladores de sono, e pacientes desdentados parciais ou totais. A variável analisada foi a dor reportada pelos pacientes, usando a Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) de 100mm, medindo-se antes da instalação da POV, e um mes após o seu uso. Das 18 POV instaladas, 10 apresentaram falhas no mecanismo vibratório. As médias da EVA para os 8 pacientes que utilizaram a POV durante 1 mês foram de 56,62±22.82mm na aferição inicial e média de EVA final de 24,75±20,52mm, com p=0,011. Dos 8 pacientes apenas 4 concordaram com o uso da placa oclusal inativa (POI) por 30 dias, separadas por um período de wash-out de pelo menos 8 meses. Os níveis de dor da escala VAS foram a única variável analisada, e foram registrados antes e após o uso das placas. Foram utilizadas os testes t-teste pareado e ANOVA para medidas repetidas, para se obter os resultados estatísticos. No início do estudo, os níveis médios da VAS de dor antes de se utilizar a placa vibratória de maneira ativa e inativa foram 54,5±19,8 milímetros, e 44,0±13,6 milímetros, respectivamente. A comparação entre esses valores de referência não apresentaram diferença estatística (p> 0,05, teste t pareado). A variação média nos níveis de dor (VAS póspré) ao usar o mesmo tipo de placa, de maneira ativa e inativa foi de -42,0±-30,3 milímetros e 29,5±21,5 milímetros, e o t-teste revelou uma diferença significativa entre os dois grupos (p = 0,07). Foi feitauma nova análise, utilizando-se as mesmas medidas, através da Análise de Variância ANOVA, onde encontrou-se diferença estatisticamente significante (f(3,9)=7.543, p=0.008) antes do uso das placas ativas e das inativas. Entretanto, após o uso da correção com o teste de Bonferroni, foram encontrados resultados condizentes com aqueles obtidos na análise feita pelo programa do teste t. (p>0.05). Pode-se concluir que do uso da vibração como mecanismo de controle da DTM foi eficaz, mas a POV falhou na maioria dos casos devido a problemas mecânicos. / This study aimed to study an occlusal splint with vibratory stimulation (VibsS) as standard, for the treatment of chronic myofascial pain. Were selected 18 patients with chronic facial myalgia, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, RDC-TMD.The patients were between 18 and 65years old, female, using stabilization splints for more than six months, and that remained with muscle pain. Were excluded patients with Temporomandibular Disorders, which had made use of analgesics or sleeps modulators and those who were partially or totally edentulous. The analyzed variable was pain reported by patients using visual analog scale (VAS) of 100mm, measuring before the installation of VibsS, and one month after its use. Were installed 18 VibsS; 10 failures in the vibrating mechanism.The mean VAS for the 8 patients who used the VibsS for 1 month were 56.62 ± 22.82mm to measure initial and final mean VAS of 24.75 ± 20.52 mm, p = 0.011. From these 8 patients, only four agreed to the use of an occlusal splints inactive for 30 days, separated by a wash-out period of at least 8 months. The levels of pain-VAS score was the only variable analyzed, and were recorded before and after use of the splints. Were used paired t-tests and ANOVA for repeated measures to obtain the statistics. At baseline, mean levels of VAS pain before using the vibrating splint active and inactive were 54.5±19.8 mm, and 44.0±13.6 mm, respectively. The comparison of these reference values showed no statistical difference (p> 0.05, paired t-test). The average change in pain levels (VAS post-pre) when using the same type of analysis, with active and inactive splints was -42.0±- 30.3 and 29.5 mm±21.5 mm, and the t-test showed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.07). After that, was made, a new analysis, using the same measures through the analysis of variance ANOVA, where were found a statistically significant difference (f (3,9) = 7543, p = 0.008) before the use of active boards and inactive. However, after using the correction with the Bonferroni test, we found results consistent with those obtained in the analysis performed by the test program t. (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that is an effective use of vibration as a control mechanism of TMD, but this VibsS failed in most cases due to mechanical problems.

Ces travaux avaient pour objectif la preuve de concept et le développement d’un dispositif embarqué sur un T-shirt visant à terme à se substituer au corset afin de pouvoir améliorer la prise en charge des patients scoliotiques. Il s’agissait d’orienter les soins de la scoliose vers un traitement permettant au patient de conserver l’ensemble de sa mobilité et de rééquilibrer l’activité des muscles de son tronc. Tout d’abord, une étude clinique comparative entre sujets sains, patients scoliotiques lombaires et patients scoliotiques thoraciques a été menée afin de mettre en évidence des différences cinématiques et posturales potentiellement corrigeables, à travers l’étude de mouvements simples standardisés. Ensuite, le dispositif baptisé « kinésithérapeute embarqué » a été développé. Son but est de détecter des anomalies cinématiques ou de mauvaises postures chez le patient afin de les lui signaler pour lui permettre une autocorrection de ses défauts. Le T-shirt permet alors une mesure précise des mouvements de l’utilisateur en temps-réel et sans dispositif externe, à l’aide de centrales inertielles. Deux feedbacks ont été conçus répondant à deux utilisations différentes, l’un vibro-tactile pour une correction posturale en ambulatoire au cours de la journée, et l’autre visuel permettant d’apprendre et d’entraîner des mouvements spécifiques lors de séances de kinésithérapie à domicile. / The purpose of this thesis was the proof of concept and the development of an embedded device on a T-shirt aiming in the future to replace the brace for improving the medical care of scoliotic patients. The aim was to orient scoliosis care toward a treatment allowing a patient to keep his/her full mobility and rebalancing his trunk muscles. First, a comparative clinical study between healthy subjects, lumbar scoliotic patients and thoracic scoliotic patients was conducted in order to highlight kinematic and postural differences potentially correctable through the study of simple and standardized movements. Then, the so-called “embedded physiotherapist” device has been developed. Its aim is to detect patient’s kinematic singularities or bad postures and to alert him/her for an auto-correction of the defect. Thus, the T-shirt is able to accurately measure user’s motion in real-time and without any external device, using inertial measurement units. Two feedback have been designed for satisfying two different purposes, first a vibro-tactile one for postural corrections during the day, and a visual one allowing the user to learn and train specific motions during physiotherapy sessions at home.

Self-monitoring, lowered arousal training (i.e., biofeedback and relaxation training) and maintenance follow-up appeared to contribute to effective treatment of hypertension. Cognitive therapy, while effective in treatment of some stress-related disorders, has not been studied as a specific treatment component for hypertension. The present study explored the use of cognitive therapy as a treatment variable to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive persons. The effectiveness of a multi-element treatment including cognitive therapy, blood-pressure biofeedback, and relaxation training was also assessed. Self-monitoring and maintenance training were included as a part of each treatment process.

This study compared biofeedback assisted cue-controlled skin temperature training with skin temperature biofeedback training in subjects attempting to raise the digital skin temperature of their dominant hand. In addition to classification according to training, the subjects were also divided into two diagnostic groups. One group was composed of subjects with cold hands and Raynaud's disease while the other group consisted of nonRaynaud's disease cold handed subjects. The treatment and diagnostic groups were compared along the dimensions of amount of posttreatment digital skin temperature change and degree of generalization of digital skin temperature control to a cold room challenge task.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gilmar.pdf: 1680429 bytes, checksum: 6eb062d33cfa1169c08c1dc12e076ae5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The purpose of this study is to construct a biofeedback device to monitor the posture of shoulder protrusion. The research subjects were five normal adult individuals. The choice was intentional, with one being male and four female, with an average age of 26.6 years (20/326). A device was built to detect posture of the shoulder protrusion by means of sensors with gyroscopes fixed to the acromia. Based on a pre-established posture, the device detects variations in the coordinates. When the individual transgresses from the pre-established posture the device issues a vibratory alert signal by biofeedback. This device was tested in a laboratory and in the field. In the laboratory the vibratory response was checked in the movements of clavicular abduction and trunk rotation movements in different angular positions. The vibratory response was also found at pre-established times that represented tolerance of activation in relation to daily activities. In the laboratory, all of these measures of the device functions were virtually simulated with the Proteus Labcenter Electronics software. In the field, in working activities, the viability of the use of the device was verified when programmed with a tolerance of 30 seconds and allowing a variation of 7 degrees in clavicular abduction. The laboratory tests for validation demonstrated that the precision of the coordinate measurements is <1°. The coefficients of correlation of the tests and retests were = 1. The results measured in the tests show that this device measures what it was proposed to measure and can be used in the detection and orientation of posture of shoulder protrusion. / Este estudo teve como objetivo a construção de um aparelho de biofeedback para a monitoração da postura de protusão de ombros. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram cinco indivíduos adultos normais. A escolha foi intencional, sendo um do gênero masculino e quatro femininos, média de idade = 26,6 anos (20/326). Foi desenvolvido um aparelho de detecção da postura de protusão de ombros por meio de sensores com giroscópios fixados nos acrômios. A partir de uma postura pré-estabelecida o aparelho detecta as variações de coordenadas. Quando o indivíduo transgride a postura pré-estabelecida o aparelho emite por biofeedback um sinal de alerta vibratório. Este aparelho foi testado em laboratório e em campo. Em laboratório foi aferida a resposta de vibração nos movimentos de adução clavicular e rotação de tronco em diferentes posições angulares. Também foi verificada a resposta de vibração em tempos pré-estabelecidos que representam a tolerância de ativação frente as atividades de vida diária. Em laboratório, todos estes aferimentos de funções do aparelho foram simulados virtualmente no software Proteus Labcenter Eletronics. Em campo, em atividades laborais, foi verificada a viabilidade de uso do aparelho programado com um tempo de tolerância de 30s e permitindo a variação de 7° graus de movimento de adução clavicular. Os testes de validação de laboratório demonstraram que a precisão das medidas de coordenadas do aparelho é <1°. Os coeficientes de correlação dos testes e retestes foram =1. Os resultados aferidos nos testes mostraram que este aparelho mede o que se propõe a medir e pode ser utilizado na detecção e orientação na postura de protusão de ombros.

Este estudo teve como objetivo estudar uma placa oclusalcom estimulação vibratória (POV) de base, para o tratamento da dor crônica miofascial. Foram selecionados 18 pacientes com mialgia crônica facial, de acordo com os Critérios para Diagnóstico em Pesquisa RDC . Os pacientes tinham entre 18 e 65 anos de idade, pertenciam ao sexo feminino e haviam usado placa estebilizadora acrílica por mais de 6 meses, e permaneciam com dor muscular. Foram excluídos pacientes com Disfunção Temporomandibular, que haviam feito uso de analgésicos ou de moduladores de sono, e pacientes desdentados parciais ou totais. A variável analisada foi a dor reportada pelos pacientes, usando a Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) de 100mm, medindo-se antes da instalação da POV, e um mes após o seu uso. Das 18 POV instaladas, 10 apresentaram falhas no mecanismo vibratório. As médias da EVA para os 8 pacientes que utilizaram a POV durante 1 mês foram de 56,62±22.82mm na aferição inicial e média de EVA final de 24,75±20,52mm, com p=0,011. Dos 8 pacientes apenas 4 concordaram com o uso da placa oclusal inativa (POI) por 30 dias, separadas por um período de wash-out de pelo menos 8 meses. Os níveis de dor da escala VAS foram a única variável analisada, e foram registrados antes e após o uso das placas. Foram utilizadas os testes t-teste pareado e ANOVA para medidas repetidas, para se obter os resultados estatísticos. No início do estudo, os níveis médios da VAS de dor antes de se utilizar a placa vibratória de maneira ativa e inativa foram 54,5±19,8 milímetros, e 44,0±13,6 milímetros, respectivamente. A comparação entre esses valores de referência não apresentaram diferença estatística (p> 0,05, teste t pareado). A variação média nos níveis de dor (VAS póspré) ao usar o mesmo tipo de placa, de maneira ativa e inativa foi de -42,0±-30,3 milímetros e 29,5±21,5 milímetros, e o t-teste revelou uma diferença significativa entre os dois grupos (p = 0,07). Foi feitauma nova análise, utilizando-se as mesmas medidas, através da Análise de Variância ANOVA, onde encontrou-se diferença estatisticamente significante (f(3,9)=7.543, p=0.008) antes do uso das placas ativas e das inativas. Entretanto, após o uso da correção com o teste de Bonferroni, foram encontrados resultados condizentes com aqueles obtidos na análise feita pelo programa do teste t. (p>0.05). Pode-se concluir que do uso da vibração como mecanismo de controle da DTM foi eficaz, mas a POV falhou na maioria dos casos devido a problemas mecânicos. / This study aimed to study an occlusal splint with vibratory stimulation (VibsS) as standard, for the treatment of chronic myofascial pain. Were selected 18 patients with chronic facial myalgia, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, RDC-TMD.The patients were between 18 and 65years old, female, using stabilization splints for more than six months, and that remained with muscle pain. Were excluded patients with Temporomandibular Disorders, which had made use of analgesics or sleeps modulators and those who were partially or totally edentulous. The analyzed variable was pain reported by patients using visual analog scale (VAS) of 100mm, measuring before the installation of VibsS, and one month after its use. Were installed 18 VibsS; 10 failures in the vibrating mechanism.The mean VAS for the 8 patients who used the VibsS for 1 month were 56.62 ± 22.82mm to measure initial and final mean VAS of 24.75 ± 20.52 mm, p = 0.011. From these 8 patients, only four agreed to the use of an occlusal splints inactive for 30 days, separated by a wash-out period of at least 8 months. The levels of pain-VAS score was the only variable analyzed, and were recorded before and after use of the splints. Were used paired t-tests and ANOVA for repeated measures to obtain the statistics. At baseline, mean levels of VAS pain before using the vibrating splint active and inactive were 54.5±19.8 mm, and 44.0±13.6 mm, respectively. The comparison of these reference values showed no statistical difference (p> 0.05, paired t-test). The average change in pain levels (VAS post-pre) when using the same type of analysis, with active and inactive splints was -42.0±- 30.3 and 29.5 mm±21.5 mm, and the t-test showed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.07). After that, was made, a new analysis, using the same measures through the analysis of variance ANOVA, where were found a statistically significant difference (f (3,9) = 7543, p = 0.008) before the use of active boards and inactive. However, after using the correction with the Bonferroni test, we found results consistent with those obtained in the analysis performed by the test program t. (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that is an effective use of vibration as a control mechanism of TMD, but this VibsS failed in most cases due to mechanical problems.

Peniston and Kulkosky (1989, 1990) demonstrated the effectiveness of alpha-theta EEG-Biofeedback (EEG-BFB) in treating inpatient alcoholics noting significant improvements in depression, psychopathology, serum β-endorphin levels, and abstinence rates. The present study is an extension of a previously unpublished replication of the Peniston EEG-BFB protocol with 20 chemically dependent outpatients (Bodenhamer-Davis, Callaway, & DeBeus, 2002). Fifteen subjects were "high risk for re-arrest" probationers. Data for the EEG-BFB group was collected from archival records. Subjects completed an average of 39 sessions (SD = 6.096), with 33 of those being EEG-BFB. Pre/post-treatment MMPI-2s™ (University of Minnesota) were collected and follow-up (4-11 years) data obtained (abstinence rates, re-arrests in some cases). Treatment effects were evaluated by comparing assessment data (pre/post) and documenting abstinence rates. Post-treatment MMPI-2 results were within normal limits, with several scales significantly reduced from baseline suggesting less psychopathology. Results were then compared to 20 subjects receiving standard addiction treatment (OT-CD group), but not EEG-BFB. OT-CD subjects completed a 2-week inpatient program followed by 18 outpatient sessions. Pre/post assessment and follow-up data was collected on the OT-CD group. The OT-CD group's post-assessment results showed three elevations (MMPI-2 scales 4/6/8), suggestive of characteriological problems. Post-MMPI-2 results of the two groups were compared via ANCOVAs. Findings indicated no significant differences between groups on targeted scales; however, there was a trend for the EEG-BFB group to have lower scores. Follow-up data was obtained on 13 EEG-BFB subjects. Results indicated 92% (n = 12) were sober, with 8% (n = 1) claiming significantly reduced alcohol intake. Probationer re-arrest and revocation rates were collected on the subset of probationers (n = 14 out of 15). The majority of the probationers (79%, n = 11) had not been re-arrested nor had their probation been revoked. Short-term follow-up information (35-131 days post-assessment), available at the time of writing, for the OT-CD group (N = 13) showed 85% (n = 11) were sober, with 15% (n = 2) relapsed. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.

This master‘s thesis presents the problems of EEG bio-feedback and its application for relaxing a person. It deals with the requirements of the sensing electrode and the biological signal amplifiers. The main substance of my thesis is the proposal of Alpha monitor, a device that uses the electrical activity of alpha brain waves for the realization of biological EEG feedback. The device concept takes into consideration the requirements of users’ security and also characteristics of alpha activity, which define the requirements for signal processing circuits and for propositions of the aural transducer. This master‘s thesis analyses given submission, proposes particular circuits, presents the overall electrical diagram and the list of components. The overall electrical diagram and single circuits are drawn within the EAGLE 5.7.0.

The present study evaluated the utility of heart rhythm coherence (HRC) feedback to reduce the reported pain intensity of patients enrolled in a multimodal pain management program. Participants were recruited and assigned to a usual treatment group (UT) or a heart rhythm coherence feedback group (UT+HRC). It was hypothesized that UT+HRC participants who achieved heart rhythm coherence would report a reduction of pain intensity, as measured by the McGill Pain Inventory. For those whose pain intensity decreased, it was also expected that their self reported levels of depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition and state anger as measured by the State Trait Anger Inventory would decrease. It is also hypothesized that with a reduction in pain levels, anger, and depression, blood pressure would also decrease among those who had high blood pressure prior to the intervention. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) were used to investigate the relationship between treatment condition, coherence status and pain levels. A series of independent t-tests were utilized to investigate the change in pain, depression, and state anger from baseline to posttest, followed by Pearson product moment correlation coefficients on difference scores to understand the relationship between the outcome variables for Hypothesis 2. Standard multiple regression analyses were computed using difference scores to determine if the outcome measures were significant predictors of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Results indicated a failure to reject the null with regard to hypothesis one. No relationship between treatment assignment, coherence status or pain levels were found. Hypothesis 2 was partially supported. Although there was a positive significant relationship between depression and anger when utilizing difference scores, these affective measures were not related to difference scores on either pain measure. In regard to Hypothesis 3, there was also a failure to reject the null. None of the outcome measures utilized in this study emerged as being significantly related to changes in systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Limitations of the study and implications for future research are offered.

This thesis explores the use of heart rate as a biofeedback game mechanic control in combination with physical movement in a Virtual reality (VR) environment using either teleportation, or a VR treadmill. A literature review, surveys, expert interviews, semi-structured interviews and a VR prototype were created. The prototype was iterated three times, and tested using the A-B method with 57 participants. The Polar H10 was used for the heart rate monitoring of the participants. The readings of the heart rate values were received via a script in Python in order to extract raw heart rate data from the participant in real time and sent to the prototype in Unity. It includes different interaction functionalities, a teleportation system, and a grabbing system from the SteamVR asset pack, a walk function using the Omnideck from Omnifinity, and includes assets from Unity for the graphics and sound. From the results and analysis of the data from the prototype, it can be interpreted that using some sort of movement in VR enhances the participants engagement and immersiveness in the environment. While heart rate biofeedback control enhances the VR experience, adding physical walking using treadmills improves it even more.