Effect of computerized biofeedback relaxation on stress related physiological parameters
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20212003Keywords:
Stress, Computerized biofeedback relaxation training, Galvanic skin resistance, Electromyography, Respiration rate, Pulse rateAbstract
Background: Mental health diseases such as insomnia, anxiety, stress and depression all have a close relationship with the autonomic nervous system. The physiological parameters of autonomic activity viz. galvanic skin resistance, electromyography, respiration and pulse rate can be regulated with the help of computerized biofeedback relaxation training. The main objective of this study was to see the effect of computerized biofeedback relaxation training on psychophysiological parameters of autonomic activity.
Methods: In the present study 40 high stress post graduate students were selected. All participants were randomly divided into two group i.e. computerized biofeedback relaxation training (group-1) and placebo group (group-2). Forehead muscle tension, respiration rate, pulse rate and galvanic skin resistance were assessed, and inventories measuring stress were administered pre-randomization. Descriptive, Paired sample ‘t’ test, F-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data with the help of SPSS 16 version.
Results: Biofeedback group reported a significant change in muscle tension (p=0.27), respiration rate (p=0.01) and galvanic skin response (p=0.35) after relaxation but at the same time control group reported moderate increase in muscle tension. Additionally, the computerized biofeedback group was able to maintain the stress level while the control group had a significant increase in the stress level over the 10 days of relaxation training.
Conclusions: Biofeedback relaxation useful alternative therapy for management of stress and emotional disturbance in graduate students. During a stressful period this may also be helpful to promote overall psychological health.
Metrics
References
Pouwer F, Kupper N, Adriaanse MC. Does emotional stress cause type 2 diabetes mellitus? A review from the European depression in diabetes (EDID) research consortium. Discov Med. 2010; 9(45):112-8.
Esch T, Stefano GB, Fricchione GL and Benson H. Stress in cardiovascular diseases. Med Sci Monit. 2002;8:93-101.
Smith KJ, Béland M, Clyde M, Gariépy G, Pagé V, Badawi G and Schmitz N. Association of diabetes with anxiety : A systematic review and metaanalysis. J Psychosom Res. 2013;74(2):89-99.
Roelofs J. Effects of neuroticism on depression and anxiety : Rumination as a possible mediator. SCI Technol. 2008;44:576-86.
De Kloet ER. Stress in the brain. Euro J Pharmacol. 2000;405(1):187-98.
Boucsein W. Electrodermal activity. UK: Plenum Press; 1992.
Hayre HS, Holland JC. Cross-correlation of voice and heart rate as stress measures. Applied Acoustics. 1980;13(1):57-62.
Lang PJ. Greenwald MK. Bradley MM and Hamm AO. Looking at pictures: affective, facial, visceral, and behavioral reactions. Psychophysiol. 1993;30(3): 261-73.
Mohan A, Sharma R, Bijlani RL. Effect of meditation on stress-induced changes. J Psycol. 2011;17(3):207-12.
Karthikeyan P, Murugappan M, Yaacob S. Analysis of stroop color word test-based human stress detection using electrocardiography and heart rate variability signals. Arab J SciEng. 2014;39:1835-47.
Lee DS, Jo NY, Kun CL. A physiological approach to creativity under stress and non-stress conditions. Sci Technol. 2011;264:197-206.
Ryu K, Myung R. Evaluation of mental workload with a combined measure based on physiological indices during a dual task of tracking and mental arithmetic. Int J Indus Ergon. 2005;35(11):991-1009.
Wilson GF. An analysis of mental workload in pilots during flight using multiple psychophysiological measures. Int J Aviat Psychol. 2002;12(1):3-18.
Roscoe AH. Assessing pilot workload. Why measure heart rate, HRV and respiration? Biol Psychol. 1992; 34(2-3):259-87.
Michon JA. Tapping regularity as a measure of perceptual motor load. Ergonomics. 1966;9(5):401-12.
Mohan A, Sharma R, Bijlani RL. Effect of meditation on stress-induced changes in cognitive functions. J Altern Complement Med. 2011;17(3):207-12.
Yucha C Montgomery D. Evidenced-based practice in biofeedback and neurofeedback, association for applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. USA: Wheat Ridge; 2008.
Biofeedback certification International alliance, overview of Biofeedback. Available at: http://www. bcia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3524. Accessed on 20 February 2021.
Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein RA. Global measure of perceived stress. J Health Social Behav. 1983;24:385-96.
Edinger JD, Wohlgemuth WK, Radtke RA, Marsh GR, Quillian RE. Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of chronic primary insomnia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2001;11;285(14):1856-64.
Sharma B, Sharma RK, Agarwal T, Jindal M, Singh K. Study of the effect of 61-point relaxation therapy in premenstrual syndrome. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2019;9(2):155-9.
Agnihotri H, Paul M, Sandhu JS. Biofeedback approach in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Iran J Psychiatry. 2007;2:90-5.
Kumar M, Pandey D, Shrivastva P. Effect of GSR biofeedback relaxation training on blood glucose and anxiety level of type 2 diabetic patients. Int J Indian Psychol. 2016;4(1):82.
Benson H, Frankel FH. Treatment of anxiety: acomparison of the usefulness of self-hypnosis and a meditational relaxation technique. Psycho Ther Psychosom. 1978;30:229-42.
Fuller, George D. GSR or Galvanic Skin Response. Available at: www.biomedical.com/www.copingwith stress.com. Accessed on 20 February 2021.
John S, Verma SK, Khanna GL. The Effect of music therapy on salivary cortisol as a reliable marker of pre competition stress in shooting performance. J Exercise Sci Physiother. 2010;6(2):70-7.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
