Abstract
The clinical utility of Tellegen's Absorption Scale was examined using a sample of 32 chronic vascular headache patients drawn from a larger treatment study investigating the efficacy of thermal biofeedback with vascular headache. A regression analysis found that acquisition of the hand-warming response was directly related to increase in capacity for absorption. Conversely, a trend was found for absorption capacity to be inversely related to reductions in headache frequency and intensity. Reasons for these differences in process and outcome variables are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ad Hoc Committee on Classification of Headache (1962). Classification of headache.Journal of the American Medical Association, 6 717–718.
Blanchard, E. B., & Andrasik, F. (1987). Biofeedback treatment of vascular headache. In J. P. Hatch, J. G. Fisher, & J. D. Rugh (Eds.),Biofeedback: Studies in clinical efficacy. New York: Plenum Press.
Blanchard, E. B., Andrasik, F., Neff, D. F., Saunders, N. L., Arena, J. G., Pallmeyer, T. P., Teders, S. J., Jurish, S. E., & Rodichok, L. D. (1983). Four process studies in the behavioral treatment of chronic headache.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 21 209–220.
Blanchard, E. B., Theobold, D. E., Williamson, D. A., Silver, B. V., & Brown, D. A. (1978). Temperature biofeedback in the treatment of migraine headache.Archives of General Psychiatry, 35 581–588.
Blanchard, E. B., Applebaum, K. A., Radnitz, C. L., Morrill, B., Michultka, D., Kirsch, C., Guarnleri, P., Hillhouse, J., Evans, D. D., Jacard, J., & Barron, K. D. (1990). A controlled evaluation of thermal biofeedback and thermal biofeedback combined with cognitive therapy in the treatment of vascular headache.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58 216–224.
Morrill, B., & Blanchard, E. B., (1989). Two studies of the potential mechanisms of action in the thermal biofeedback treatment of vascular headache.Headache, 29 169–176.
Neff, D. F., Blanchard, E. B., & Andrasik, F. (1983). The relationship between capacity for absorption and chronic headache patients' response to relaxation and biofeedback treatment.Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 8 177–183.
Qualls, P. J., & Sheehan, P. W. (1979). Capacity for absorption and relaxation during EMG biofeedback and no-feedback conditions.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 88 652–662.
Qualls, P. J., & Sheehan, P. W. (1981a). Role of the feedback signal in EMG biofeedback: The relevance of attention.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 110 204–216.
Qualls, P. J., & Sheehan, P. W. (1981b). Imagery encouragement, absorption capacity and relaxation during EMG biofeedback.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41 370–379.
Sargent, J. D., Green, E. E., & Walters, E. D. (1973). Preliminary report on the use of autogenic feedback training in the treatment of migraine and tension headaches.Psychosomatic Medicine, 35 129–135.
Tellegen, A. (1981). Practicing the two disciplines for relaxation and enlightenment: Comment on the role of the feedback signal in EMG biofeedback: The relevance of attention by Qualls and Sheehan.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 110 217–226.
Tellegen, A., & Atkinson, G. (1974). Openness to absorbing and self-altering experiences (absorption) a trait related to hypnotic susceptibility.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 83 268–277.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported in part by a grant No. NS23440 from NINDS.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Steffek, B.D., Blanchard, E.B. The role of absorption capacity in thermal biofeedback treatment of vascular headache. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation 16, 267–275 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01000021
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01000021