Skip to main content
Log in

Biofeedback modification of frontal EMG in normal subjects

  • Articles
  • Published:
Biofeedback and Self-regulation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We carried out a controlled study on the voluntary control of the frontalis muscle by biofeedback procedures employing 20 normal subjects. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 10: (1) the biofeedback group and (2) the control group. Each of the two groups received five training sessions of about 40 minutes' duration each on different days. The results obtained are as follows: (1) In the biofeedback group, mean EMG levels decreased progressively and markedly from 2.16µVp-p min in the first session to 1.54µVp-p min in the last session. On the contrary, the control group did not show constant decreases in EMG levels over sessions. (2) The changes in the heart rate did not correlate with the changes in EMG activity. (3) The changes in the respiratory rate correlated with the changes in EMG activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Budzynski, T. H., & Stoyva, J. M. An instrument for producing deep relaxation by means of analog information feedback.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 1969,2 231–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Budzynski, T. H., Stoyva, J. M., Adler, C. S., & Mullaney, D. J. EMG biofeedback and tension headache: A controlled outcome study.Psychosomatic Medicine 1973,35 484–496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coursey, R. D. Electromyograph feedback as a relaxation technique.Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology 1975,43 825–834.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fromer, R. Conditioned vasomotor responses in the rabbit.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology 1963,56 1050–1055.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukamachi, K. The study on the Cornell Medical Index (II).Fukuoka Acta Medica 1959,50 3001–3009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haynes, S. N., Moseley, D., & McGowan, W. T. Relaxation training and biofeedback in the reduction of frontalis muscle tension.Psychophysiology 1975,12 547–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacob, A., & Felton, G. S. Visual feedback of myeloelectric output to facilitate muscle relaxation in normal persons and patients with neck injuries.Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 1969,50 34–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimmel, H. D., & Hill, F. A. Operant conditioning of the GSR.Psychological Report 1960,7 555–562.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsman, R. A., O'Brian, K., Robinson, S., & Staudenmayer, H. Continuous biofeedback and discrete posttrial verbal feedback in frontalis muscle relaxation.Psychophysiology 1975,12 30–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, N. E., & Carmona, A. Modification of a visceral response, salivation in thirsty dogs by instrumental training with water reward.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology 1967,63 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raskin, M., Johnson, G., & Rondestvedt, J. W. Chronic anxiety treated by feedback-induced muscle relaxation.Archives of General Psychiatry 1973,28 263–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reavley, W. The use of feedback in the treatment of writer's cramp.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 1975,6 335–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinking, R. H., & Kohl, M. L. Effects of various forms of relaxation training on physiological and self-report measures of relaxation.Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology 1975,43 595–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, D., Crider, A. B., & Turskey, B. Differentiation of an autonomic response through operant reinforcement.Psychosomatic Science 1964,1 147–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickramasekera, I. Electromyographic feedback training and tension headache: Preliminary observations.American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 1972,15 83–85.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ohno, Y., Tanaka, Y., Takeya, T. et al. Biofeedback modification of frontal EMG in normal subjects. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation 3, 61–68 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00998564

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00998564

Keywords

Navigation