Hi,
I am doing a paper for a summer class on biofeedback. May one tell me what is the accurate rate of the number of people who actually succeed at this? Thanks.
One doctor claimed that he has a 85% rate. To me this is *really* exaggerated.
Thanks for any feedback,
Jake Speed.
In Reply to: Biofeedback Efficacy posted by Jake speed on August 08, 1998 at 04:22:09:
In what manner of biofeedback do you refer? Biofeedback means
nothing by itself, it is always for a purpose. So, biofeedback
for relaxation? To produce Alpha State? Theta? Make the chime sound?
85% sounds a bit low to me, Jake...
Greg
In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback Efficacy-> Define your terms posted by Greg on August 08, 1998 at 13:12:11:
Greg,
Sorry..allow me to elucidate.
Deppression & ADD/ADHD usually involve high amplitudes of theta and low amplitudes of the SMR.
What is the percentage of people who actually complete the training that falls in this criteria: to lower the theta wave and increase SMR.
Thanks,
Jake S.
In Reply to: Biofeedback Efficacy posted by Jake speed on August 08, 1998 at 04:22:09:
Dear Jake,
85% is not unreasonable but I would need to know for what condition it was being used. Each condition has a different response rate.
If the guy was referring to teaching skilled relaxation, this is right on the money!
This is MUCH more a function of the willingness of the individual to practice than it is a function of the efficacy of the procedure.
Biofeedback is how we learn to do EVERYTHING. Adding a machine to amplify those things we are not normally aware of--so we can control them too--just makes it possible for us to do things not usually accessible to us.
I need more info to give a judgement.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback Efficacy-> Define your terms posted by Jake Speed on August 08, 1998 at 14:04:16:
Thanks, Jake.
I would have to agree with Greg. For this condition, 85% sounds low to me. For anyone willing to practice it should be nearly 100%.
More than 90% of epileptics can abort a seizure by using biofeedback to learn to recognize an attack coming on & producing an alpha rhythm to stop it.
80% of Hemophiliacs can stop their bleeding by learning to produce alpha/theta when needed.
As Casey Stengle used to say: "You can look it up!"
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback Efficacy-> Define your terms posted by Walt Stoll on August 09, 1998 at 08:53:22:
You wrote:
"I would have to agree with Greg. For this condition, 85% sounds low to me. For anyone willing to practice it should be nearly 100%."
Whoa! I saw a posting here wherewith you estimated it to be less than 1 percent. But darn! I can't find that posting! :-)
To me, that is more reasonable (< l%). Seriously, if it was in the ballpark of 80 percent I am sure biofeedback would be taken more seriously. I reckon that the 1 percent is more accurate.
I will contact that AAPB and ask them the same question. I am sure that there answer will be interesting. Practitioncers are not usually a reliable source for this type of info. That *overexazerate* (spelling is off). I should know. When I worked in the clinic, the practitioners always the dodge the question: "What is the success rate of people completing this type of therapy." It was pathetic. But this was true to must of the clinics that I visited.
People rarely complete the sessions. It is a terrible truth.
Take care,
Jake
In Reply to: Whoa!! posted by Jake on August 11, 1998 at 22:23:43:
In Reply to: Whoa!! posted by Jake on August 11, 1998 at 22:23:43:
Dear Jake,
If I said 1%, it had to be a typo. The reason biofeedback is not "taken seriously"by the medical monopoly is that it can be done by people that are not licensed physicians. It is thereby relegated to the catagory of "COMPETITION TO THE MEDICAL MONOPOLY.
I am not going to try to convince anyone of anything. I have had enough years of experience with all this that I know results speak for themselves.
You will notice that I have not recommend biofeedback as the primary way of learning skilled relaxation. It is much too expensive when nearly everyone can learn this skill without resorting to biofeedback. What I HAVE recommended boifeedback for is to substantiate that the usual methods of learning this are actually working.
Thanks for bringing it up.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll posted by Steve on August 18, 1998 at 04:17:23:
Thanks, Steve.
Making skilled relaxation a part of your life is a step by step process. The first is learning why this is important for you. You are taking that step right now.
Read the FAQ article about skilled relaxation & ask your library to find you a copy of the printings of the workbook I mention that were published in the late '70s and early '80s.
This cookbook is your second step.
Using your local biofeedback professional to test whether the technique you are using is actually working is the 3rd step. Maintaining the discipline to actually DO, what you learn is the thing that works for you, is the final & most important--and sometimes the hardest step of all.
Good luck! Walt
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Walt Stoll on August 19, 1998 at 11:38:27:
I gather you are speaking of the "Relaxation and Stress
Reduction Workbook". I have a copy but it is the 4th
edition. Is this no good? Could you give me idea of where
to find a local "biofeedback". Looked in the yellow pages
but to no avail.
Thanks for your time
Steve
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Steve on August 20, 1998 at 10:31:17:
Dear Steve,
What year? From what I have heard, anything before 1985 is best. It is just in recent years (after 1990) that they tried to go beyond their expertise & the basic book suffered.
Call the American Association of Biofeedback Clinicians in Des Plaines, Illinois (Sorry I do not have their number) or try their website at http://www.biofeedback.net/AAPB.org
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Steve on August 20, 1998 at 10:31:17:
Steve
I had a hard time finding a biofeedback professional, too. The only two I found at first wanted to do $250 of psychotherapy along with it. Then, my Reiki master told me about a hypnotherapist who did it. I called him, and he knew exactly what I wanted, was in full agreement with the need to do skilled relaxation everyday, practices it himself faithfully, and charges $85 a visit (1-2 hours). I ordered a tape from BrainSync, called Guided Relaxation, practiced it for over a week, went in for biofeedback and viola! I was getting into alpha and theta waves with the tape as I was hooked up to his machine.
Good luck!
Nancy
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Nancy on August 21, 1998 at 19:30:04:
Nancy,
Would you send me a address or phone # for BrainSync.
Thank you so much for yor help.
Steve
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Nancy on August 21, 1998 at 19:30:04:
Thanks, Nancy!
It is information like this that will encourage other seekers that it is the PATIENT that is the boss, not the "therapist". There are people out there who are willing to do what you need and not try to foist their "routines" on everyone. If the first 2 you called had even bothered to listen to what you wanted, they could have seen you instead of the one you did finally see. However, the silver lining is that you finally DID find the best one in the end.
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Steve on August 22, 1998 at 09:02:40:
Steve,
Try this link:
Brain Sync
Hope you like it as much as I do!
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Nancy on August 22, 1998 at 16:07:40:
Nancy,
WOW, they [BrainSync] look like they have some realy good tapes. Now just have to decide which one or ones to
get. I' m real excited. Many many thanks,
Steve
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Nancy on August 22, 1998 at 16:07:40:
Nancy,
One more ? and I'll hush. Do you just find a quite place
and play the tape? Sounds to easy. Can it "train" you to the point that
the tape is no longer a must, being able to reach the
state alone. Maybe I'm making this harder than it needs
to be.
Be well,
Steve
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Steve on August 22, 1998 at 09:02:40:
Dear Steve,
Greg has all that information. I really should be writing it down but I have been just going to his stuff to get it. The Megabrain Report is the way to keep up with the cutting edge of this research. I would be surprised if they did not have a website & I'll bet that Greg has that too.
Their address is Box #2744, Sausalito, CA 94965. If you get their FAX or website, I would appreciate your sharing on the BB.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Steve on August 22, 1998 at 21:52:49:
Steve
The Guided Relaxation tape explains that you need to find a place where you will not be disturbed for 30 minutes. My kids know that when I'm relaxing, they must answer the phone quickly and not interrupt me. I lie on top of the bed and put a throw over me. My little Brussels Griffon loves to snuggle up next to me when I'm doing it. At first he bothered me and I wouldn't let him in. Then, I had the problem of him scratching on the door if I was home alone. Turning the room air purifyer on helped some. Now, it's as if the dog knows that he has to be super quiet, and he is. I'm not at all distracted by him. I've gotten to where I can concentrate better and better. I also find that as time goes on, I'm able to bring myself to the relaxation states for brief periods of time during the day, even when driving. I'm still alert, but can feel my muscles loosen and sink deeper and deeper. I don't know if it's alpha/theta or not for sure, but it feels like it.
You're really going to enjoy the effects of this stuff. I'm just really looking forward to the long term benefits, having been a "bracer" for most of my life.
I'll look forward to hearing how you do with it.
Nancy
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Nancy on August 22, 1998 at 16:07:40:
Nancy:
I visited the Brain Sync site you recommended to Steve and saw the Tape Guided Relaxation that you mentioned. My question is was that the ONLY tape you had to buy to get you to the alpha theta state or did you buy other ones?
I noticed they had a set of 4 tapes called Sacred Ground (alpha, theta, delta widow frequencies & music only).
Thank you for your help.
Antonio
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relax.) - Which Tapes? posted by Antonio on August 23, 1998 at 14:27:05:
Antonio
Yes, that's the only tape I bought. Eventually I might buy some more, though, for other purposes. I bought tapes vs. cd's because I don't have a personal cd player. You have to use a headset, rather than stereo, in case you didn't know that. I'll bet the cd's really sound wonderful, though. Wish I had the equipment to play them.
Nancy
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relax.) - Which Tapes? posted by Nancy on August 23, 1998 at 16:40:19:
Nancy:
Thanks for the info. I am glad you mentioned the need for a head set because I don't have one. Do you know if the head set is required to play the tape or is it just an aide to get to the alpha/theta level?
Thank you again.
Antonio
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relax.) - Which Tapes? posted by Antonio on August 23, 1998 at 23:27:09:
The tape doesn't specifically tell the reason, but I've deduced that it's because the sounds in the background are balancing the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which the narrator does mention.
You can buy a very cheap cassette headset, but I'm not sure how good the stereo is in those. I think I'd ask the Brainsync people when I order. They were helpful to me in selecting the tape I needed.
Nancy
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relax.) - Which Tapes? posted by Nancy on August 24, 1998 at 20:51:31:
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Stoll (skilled relaxation) posted by Nancy on August 22, 1998 at 16:07:40:
Check out this site:
http://www.bio-medical.com/
I have done business with them in the past. (purchased a couple of biofeedback machines there before )They offer a lot of devices that may help one out. They have a lot that may help with the relaxation. The catalog is on line.
hope this helps,
Jake