Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1980. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 121-122. / by Michael P. Shepley. / M.S.

Background: Ultrasound Tongue Imaging (UTI) is growing increasingly popular for assessing and treating Speech Sound Disorders (SSDs) and has more recently been used to qualitatively investigate compensatory articulations in speakers with cleft palate (CP). However, its therapeutic application for speakers with CP remains to be tested. A different set of developments, Visual Articulatory Models (VAMs), provide an offline dynamic model with context for lingual patterns. However, unlike UTI, they do not provide real-time biofeedback. Commercially available VAMs, such as Speech Trainer 3D, are available on iDevices, yet their clinical application remains to be tested. Aims: This thesis aims to test the diagnostic use of ultrasound, and investigate the effectiveness of both UTI and VAMs for the treatment of SSDs associated with submucous cleft palate (SMCP). Method: Using a single-subject multiple baseline design, two males with repaired SMCP, Andrew (aged 9;2) and Craig (aged 6;2), received six assessment sessions and two blocks of therapy, following a motor-based therapy approach, using VAMs and UTI. Three methods were used to measure therapy outcomes. Firstly, percent target consonant correct scores, derived from phonetic transcriptions provide outcomes comparable to those used in typical practice. Secondly, a multiplephonetically trained listener perceptual evaluation, using a two-alternative multiple forced choice design, to measure listener agreement provides a more objective measure. Thirdly, articulatory analysis, using qualitative and quantitative measures provides an additional perspective able to reveal covert errors. Results and Conclusions: There was overall improvement in the speech for both speakers, with a greater rate of change in therapy block one (VAMs) and listener agreement in the perceptual evaluation. Articulatory analysis supplemented phonetic transcriptions and detected covert articulations and covert contrast as well as supporting the improvements in auditory outcome scores. Both VAMs and UTI show promise as a clinical tool for the treatment of SSDs associated with CP.

Submitted by Geyciane Santos (geyciane_thamires@hotmail.com) on 2015-05-20T12:46:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Paula Tatiana de Oliveira da Costa.pdf: 14373828 bytes, checksum: 660fd5c53b6eb069ab05fbca996c3711 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-20T12:46:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Paula Tatiana de Oliveira da Costa.pdf: 14373828 bytes, checksum: 660fd5c53b6eb069ab05fbca996c3711 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-30 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Stress in its various forms of expression has been occupying the ranks of higher incidence of injury to health, causing effects on physiological and psychological health. It is known that the main source lies within each individual, from the way each interprets each of the events of his life, coupled with a genetic predisposition to the stimulus of social interaction, family, and relationship with relatives, friends, life experiences, etc. You could say that stress is a complex response of the organism, involving hormonal reactions, physical and psychological against any event that is interpreted as challenging, which instigates the need for adaptation to preserve the well-being and life. This research aimed to study the effects of clinical intervention for stress management techniques from cognitive-behavioral and biofeedback. Among the proposed therapeutic approach for cognitive-behavioral coping with this condition, we used behavioral training in the form of relaxation techniques and biofeedback, as an adjuvant, which was applied by monitoring the Galvanic Skin Response (RGP), by an instrument that feeds back information to a physiological monitor the making be controlled. We started from the application of a standard six sessions and their reassessment after an interval of 25.26 months (on average). 23 subjects participated voluntarily, 73.9% of them were female and 26.1% male, mean age of 40.8 and standard deviation of 11.153. 65.2% of the sample is from the State of Amazonas and the remainder corresponds to the other units of Brazil. The evaluation of the results provided knowledge on how to use strategies acquired the practice of diaphragmatic breathing, as well as the benefits from the training and improvement in family relationships, work environment, traffic behavior, and emotional selfregulation. This study provided an important social relevance for promoting significant and lasting improvement in the participants. However, if necessary making the continuation of studies in the area, besides the improvement of road ever built. / O estresse em suas diversas formas de expressão vem ocupando os ranques de maior incidência de danos à saúde, causando efeitos na saúde psíquica e fisiológica. Sabe-se ainda, que a principal fonte de estresse se encontra no interior de cada indivíduo, a partir da forma como cada um interpreta cada um dos eventos de sua vida, somada a uma predisposição genética associada aos estímulos da interação social, familiar, relação com parentes, amigos, experiências de vida, etc. Pode-se dizer que o estresse é uma resposta complexa do organismo, envolvendo reações hormonais, físicas e psicológicas frente a qualquer evento que seja interpretado como desafiante, o qual instiga a necessidade de adaptação para preservar o bem-estar e a vida. A presente pesquisa objetivou o estudo dos efeitos da intervenção clínica para manejo de estresse a partir de técnicas cognitivo-comportamentais e de biofeedback. Dentre as propostas terapeuticas da abordagem cognitiva-comportamental para o enfrentamento desta condição, foi utilizada o treino comportamental sob forma de técnicas de relaxamento e o biofeedback, como técnica auxiliar, que foi aplicada por meio do monitoramento da Resposta Galvânica da Pele (RGP), através de um instrumento que retroalimenta informações fisiológicas para um monitor as tornando passíveis de controle voluntário. Partiu-se da aplicação de um roteiro padronizado com seis sessões e sua reavaliação após um intervalo de tempo de 25 meses (em média). Participaram voluntariamente do presente estudo 23 indivíduos, sendo 73,9% do sexo feminino e 26,1% do sexo masculino, com idade média de 40,80 e desvio padrão de 11,15. 65,2% da amostra são do Estado do Amazonas e o restante corresponde às demais Unidades Federativas do Brasil. A avaliação dos resultados propiciou conhecimento sobre uso estratégias adquiridas como a prática da respiração diafragmática, assim como os benefícios advindos do treinamento como melhora no relacionamento familiar, ambiente de trabalho, comportamento no trânsito e autorregulação emocional. Este estudo revelou-se de importante relevância social por promover melhora significativa e duradoura em seus participantes. Contudo, se faz necessário a continuidade dos estudos na área, além do aprimoramento do roteiro já construído.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of biofeedback and relaxation skills training to help alleviate college students' stress symptoms. Data was collected from 659 full-time college students who attended a total of 1,170 biofeedback sessions over the course of two years. Results of the study indicated that the top three stress-related symptoms students experienced were (a) feeling overwhelmed, (b) feeling anxious, and (c) difficulty concentrating. Furthermore, the top three stressors rated by students were (a) too much to do, (b) homework, and (c) classes and school. In addition, the top three coping strategies utilized by students to manage their stress were (a) prayer, (b) exercise, and (c) talking to friends. Moreover, results also showed significant differences on all three pre and post measures regarding skin temperature readings, EMG readings, and students' subjective self-report ratings of degree of stress. Specifically, students' skin temperature increased and their muscle tension decreased, indicating less physiological tension at the end of the session. Furthermore, comparisons of students' self-report ratings of their degree of stress before and after the session indicated that they felt less stressed and more relaxed at the conclusion of the session. These findings lend support to the utility of colleges providing biofeedback and relaxation skills training as an intervention for college students to utilize. In this way students become empowered to self-regulate their stress symptoms and optimize their health. Indeed, students can utilize and benefit from these skills both during and beyond their college years.

Gate control theory posits the idea that the brain and spinal cord have the ability to control the perception of pain sensation throughout the body. Biofeedback provides a proven way to teach a person how they may control their heart rate, breathing, and skin temperature. Through this process, individuals learn to lessen their migraine frequency and intensity. There are no studies to date that have measured the effectiveness of biofeedback in conjunction with medication for migraines in children despite established evidence of success in adults. In this study, an online format via SurveyMonkey was used to document the perceptions of parents with regard to the observation of their children's migraines. Pre€ and posttreatment measures were recorded to document migraine activity with implementation of biofeedback or medication using the Individualized Numeric Rating Scale. A total number of 48 participants reported about their children's migraine frequency and intensity. One group of 24 parents were asked to give information on medication only treatment, and an additional 24 parents provided information on biofeedback and medication. The data were processed using 2 mixed model (i.e., 1 within and 1 between) ANCOVAs. Although frequency and intensity of migraines decreased across both groups posttreatment, there was no statistically significant interaction between the within subject factors of time and type. In this particular data set, medication plus biofeedback was not more effective than medication alone. The implications for positive social change using the results of this study are the potential for happier, healthier, migraine free children who are more able to be productive and contribute positively to society.

The purpose of this study was to determine if physical restraint is a major factor in the elicitation of the hallucination phenomena associated with perceptual (or sensory) deprivation studies. Experimental subjects were exposed to three one-hour sessions of perceptual deprivation one week apart, with physical restraint being used during the second session. A group of control subjects was used to determine t he effects of three unrestrained sessions of perceptual deprivation. No significant differences were found between sessions for the experimental group in terms of number of reports or the cumulative duration of the reports. There was also no difference found between the two groups for any session. The data and experiences of the individual subjects are discussed at length with particular attention to the effects of the restraint procedure on indications of stress or anxiety levels (expressed in terms of time estimation and subjective reports). Recommendations for the use of more objective measures of anxiety such as biofeedback and electroencephalographic equipment are made as well as better defining procedures for the measurement of the hallucination phenomena. It is further suggested that the group design is not suited to the study of hallucinations due to the great degree of variability. A new procedure for the unobtrusive measure of the duration of the hallucinations is used successfully in this study and may prove to be a useful tool for future studies in this area.

Numerous agencies have accumulated evidence since 1964 which implicates habitual cigarette smoking as a causal or facilitating factor in the development of many circulatory and respiratory diseases. This study sought to identify those psychological variables which possibly contribute to the maintenance of cigarette smoking and therefore, had two main purposes. First, this study investigated the individual and simultaneous physiological changes, i.e., Electroencephalography, Electromyography, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and Skin Temperature that occurred during and immediately after the smoking of one cigarette. Second, the study investigated the hypothesis that smoking frequency would decrease when individuals were trained via biofeedback procedures to increase 8-12 Hz occipital EEG activity as a substitute for smoking. Three male, very heavy smokers (35 or more cigarettes per day ) and three male moderate smokers (15-24 cigarettes per day) physiologies were monitored while smoking, non-smoking and while they were provided with 8-12 Hz occipital EEG biofeedback training using a multiple baseline design. Results of the study indicate that of the six smokers physiologically monitored, four or more of the smokers demonstrated the following physiological changes while actually smoking one cigarette: the percent of time producing 4-8 cycles per second bra .in waves increased (S2 ,S3 ,S5); heart rate (beats per minute) increased (Sl,S2,S3,S4,S5,S6); and the percent of time producing 8-12 cycles per second (Hz) brain waves decreased (Sl,S2,S3,S4,S5,S6). Immediately after the smoking of one cigarette, four or more of the smokers demonstrated an increase in their rates (Sl,S2,S3,S4,S5, S6) and subjects 1,4,5 and 6 demonstrated an over-the-entire-session decrease in their skin temperatures. There did not appear to be any specific consistent brain wave changes across the subjects. However, the following subject-specific brain wave changes were evident: Subject 1 data indicates an increase in Alpha brain waves (8-12 Hz), a decrease in Theta brain waves (4-8 Hz), and a decrease in Beta brain waves (12-20 Hz). Subject 2 data indicates a decrease in Alpha brain waves, an increase in Theta brain waves, and a decrease in Beta waves. Subject 3 data indicates an Alpha wave decrease, Theta wave increase, and Beta wave increase. Subject 4 data indicates an Alpha wave decrease, Theta wave increase, and no observable change in Beta activity. Subject 5 data indicates an Alpha increase, a Theta decrease, and no observable change in Beta activity. Subject 6 data indicates an Alpha decrease, a non-observable change in Theta production and an increase in Beta activity. During the training period, when the smokers were given music feedback whenever they produced 8-12 Hz, four of the six smokers learned to increase the percent of time producing 8-12 Hz, (Sl,S2,S5, S6). Two of these four smokers were able to continue producing high levels of 8-12 Hz activity without the use of biofeedback equipment (Sl,S2). These smokers had quit smoking completely at the end of a six-month follow-up period. These two smokers were contacted by phone at the eight-month follow-up period and reported they were still absent from any cigarette smoking. The four smokers who could not increase their 8-12 Hz activity without the use of 8-12 Hz auditory feedback (Phase D) decreased their frequency of cigarette smoking at the six-month follow-up period as follows: Subject 3, from 38 to 15 cigarettes smoked per day; Subject 4, from 50 to 44 cigarettes smoker per day; Subject 5, from 18 to 8 cigarettes smoked per day; and Subject 6, from 17 to 10 cigarettes smoked per day. Possible reasons why Subjects 1 and 2 quit smoking are discussed and directions for future research are presented.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of five track athletes (three men and two women, aged 18-33 yrs) during a season-long PST-Biofeedback training program designed to help them learn how to self-regulate physiologically, psychologically, and emotionally. Three key psychological skills were emphasized: focus (Janelle, 2002; Nideffer & Sagal, 2006), arousal control through biofeedback training (e.g., Bar-Eli, Dreshman, Blumenstein, & Weinstein, 2002), and debriefing (Hogg, 2002; McArdle, Martin, Lennon, & Moore, 2010). The program, which consisted of one-on-one initial and final semi-structured interviews with PST-biofeedback sessions in between, was individualized to meet each athlete’s needs and progress during the study. Results indicated that the athletes found the program helpful; they perceived an improvement in their ability to focus, debrief, and control arousal in the lab; and, to varying degrees, they transferred those skills into training and competition. The athletes also perceived an improvement in their sport performances.

Low resolution pharyngeal manometry is an invasive diagnostic method that has recently been used as a biofeedback device for swallowing rehabilitation. The University of Canterbury Rose Centre uses pharyngeal manometry to diagnose and rehabilitate subjects who suffer from pharyngeal mis-sequencing. Pharyngeal mis-sequencing occurs when pressure is applied simultaneously throughout the pharynx rather than sequentially. Rehabilitation can only be performed in clinic due to the need for specialized equipment and trained staff, and the invasiveness of the test limits the time that can be spent training. As an alternative method to measure the pharyngeal pressure sequence, bioimpedance has been investigated by a previous University of Canterbury Master’s student. A prototype was developed that measured bioimpedance in two locations as a proxy for pharyngeal pressure sequence. The prototype device named GULPS (Guided Utility for Latency in Pharyngeal Swallowing), measured a change in impedance during swallowing. However, the features of this waveform were inconsistent and were not present during every swallow. The frequency of the current that passes through tissue affects its path through the tissue, therefore impacting the measured impedance. To improve the consistency of the impedance measurement, the effect of current injection frequency was investigated. A modular-hardware system was created from the original design to allow testing of different injection frequencies. The hardware was further developed by replacing the method of generating the constant amplitude current injection signal. The improvement to the design resulted in a differently-shaped waveform to that of the previous prototype, including a new feature. This feature is a single peak that occurred in both channels and was reproduced in every swallow. Experimentation showed that the features were not obviously frequency dependent. The separation between the peaks of the two impedance channels was compared with the separation between the two pressure peaks recorded during simultaneous pharyngeal manometry but there was no significant correlation between the two measures of peak-peak separations. Two alternative hardware/signal conditioning changes were trialled: electrical isolation of each channel and a subtraction method, which aims to remove the effect of the changing impedance between the two electrode channels. Electrical isolation of the two channels had no effect on the impedance waveforms. However, the subtraction method produced a different output and requires further investigation as the output was inconsistent. Bluetooth communication was integrated into the GULPS hardware, and a corresponding Android Application (App) was written. The developed App was successful in displaying the impedance measurement output and adds greater user flexibility, allowing the user to interface with the bioimpedance measurement hardware from their tablet or phone. With no measured significant correlation between GULPS and pharyngeal manometry, further research needs to be performed to better relate the features measured by GULPS to those seen during pharyngeal manometry. Until this can be achieved, the GULPS device cannot replace pharyngeal manometry for biofeedback-based rehabilitation of pharyngeal mis-sequencing.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters’ Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background : Core strengthening may improve athletic ability by providing stability to the trunk, and as a result, stabilising the pelvis. The leverage from which cyclists generate power may be enhanced as a result of a stable pelvis, thereby improving the cyclist’s performance. In the popular, highly competitive sport of cycling, performance enhancement is much sought after. Despite its widespread use, research involving core strengthening in sporting situations is lacking, with studies investigating the effect of a core strengthening programme on cycling performance yet to be investigated. Objectives : To determine the participants’ cycling speed, power, cadence and completion time, and core strength in terms of objective findings, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. To determine the participants’ heart rate in terms of objective findings, and the rate of perceived exertion in terms of subjective findings, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. To determine the participants’ perception of change in speed, power and cadence post- intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. Method : Forty-two asymptomatic cyclists performed two 1.5 km time trials, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention. Core strength assessments were performed pre- and post- intervention, using the Pressure Biofeedback Unit, and the maximum and average speed (km/hr), power (w) and cadence (rpm), and completion time (s) were recorded pre- and post- intervention, using the Computerised Electromagnetic Roller resistance Ergometer (Tacx Trainer). Heart rate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded pre- and post- intervention, as well as the participant’s perception of change in speed, power, and cadence post- intervention. SPSS version 20 (SPSS Inc) was used to analyse the data, in the whole sample and stratified into two age strata. Results : ll cycling performance indicators, speed, power, cadence and completion time showed a significant improvement post- intervention, in the whole sample, and within the two age strata. Core strength indicators showed a significant improvement post- intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. A significant decrease in rate of perceived exertion and corresponding heart rate measurements post- intervention was observed in the whole sample. Similarly, the younger age strata reflected a significant decrease in rate of perceived exertion, however heart rate measurements were not significant. In contrast, the older age strata showed significant changes in heart rate measurements, with no significance in rate of perceived exertion measurements. The majority of participants experienced an increased perception in all outcomes post- intervention. Conclusions: The results of this study found that core strengthening had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.001) on cycling performance, both in terms of objective and subjective findings. Future studies could address the effect of core strengthening in an endurance setting.