Biofeedback: Effectiveness and Comparison with Other Methods

These flashcards cover the key concepts and findings related to biofeedback, its effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages, as discussed in the lecture.

What did research by Gruber and Taub (1998) demonstrate about biofeedback learning?

Biofeedback learning does not depend on conscious thought.

Which animal did Gruber and Taub successfully train using biofeedback?

Monkeys.

What was the effect of biofeedback training on military personnel according to Lewis et al. (2015)?

It led to a decreased heart rate.

What main point is raised concerning the role of operant conditioning in biofeedback?

Questions have been raised that cast doubt on its relevance.

Who continued research on biofeedback after the original study by Miller and DiCara?

Leo DiCara.

What tragic event occurred when DiCara was pressed to share his data?

He committed suicide.

What may account for the reported successes of biofeedback?

It could be due to relaxation rather than unconscious operant conditioning.

What range of disorders has biofeedback been used to treat?

Curvature of the spine, migraine headaches, asthma, and Raynaud's disease.

According to Bradley (1995), how did biofeedback compare to relaxation for muscle-tension headaches?

The biofeedback group had significantly fewer headaches than the relaxation group.

What is a potential explanation for the effectiveness of biofeedback?

The placebo effect, as sophisticated machines may lead individuals to believe in its efficacy.

What is a key advantage of biofeedback compared to drug treatments?

It is not an invasive technique and does not alter the body permanently.

Why is biofeedback considered useful for treating children?

Children cannot be treated with drugs and may struggle with more mentally demanding therapies.

What is a main disadvantage of biofeedback?

It requires specialist equipment, making it expensive and supervised.

What is the typical duration of biofeedback treatment?

It usually lasts more than a month.

If biofeedback's success is mainly due to relaxation, what implication does this have?

There may not be a need for expensive and time-consuming procedures.