There Is Hope: Autogenic Biofeedback Training for the Treatment of Psoriasis

Biofeedback ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Klein ◽  
Erik Peper

Many college students experience stress-related illness, and in one study, 82% of students reported significant improvement in health when they participated in a semester-long stress management program. The factors that contribute to symptom reduction are illustrated by the case report of a 23-year-old male student who had been suffering from psoriasis for the past 5 years, which was not alleviated with medication and traditional medical treatment. He participated in an integrated self-regulation program consisting of daily self-healing home practice for 3 weeks, a desensitization strategy, autogenic training, and biofeedback training, coupled with pre- and posttreatment biofeedback assessments. Results showed a significant improvement in the clearing of the skin, more positive self-talk, and improved posture. The benefits have been maintained at the 4-month follow-up. Discussed are the training components and procedures along with factors that contributed to the clinical success and that can be applied to numerous other stress-related disorders.

Biofeedback ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Peper ◽  
Brandy Miceli ◽  
Richard Harvey

An educational approach is often different from a clinical treatment approach to promote healing. Using an educational approach, 80% of university students who are enrolled in a holistic health course report that both acute and chronic disorders can be ameliorated or eliminated when they engage in daily self-practice of autogenic training, biofeedback self-regulation practices, and/or somatic posture awareness. This process of reducing health problems is illustrated by a case report of a 20-year-old female student who experienced three migraines per week for the past 6 years. After practicing self-regulation and body awareness techniques such as autogenic training, surface electromyography–assisted muscle awareness, diaphragmatic breathing, and postural changes, the frequency of her headaches decreased to zero. Being mindful without judgment and continuously interrupting her “chained behavior” patterns were major components for improving health. At 20-month follow-up, the student continued to be headache free. This type of integrated self-healing educational approach is recommended for students, patients, and anyone who wants to create lasting health changes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 2894-2912
Author(s):  
Kerianne Druker ◽  
Trevor Mazzucchelli ◽  
Neville Hennessey ◽  
Janet Beilby

Purpose This study reports findings from a clinical trial that implemented an early stuttering treatment program integrated with evidence-based parenting support (EBPS) to children who stutter (CWS) with concomitant self-regulation challenges manifested in elevated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (eADHD) symptoms and compared those outcomes to CWS receiving stuttering treatment without EBPS. Method Participants were 76 preschool CWS and their parent(s). Thirty-six of these children presented with eADHD and were quasirandomized into two groups: stuttering treatment only (eADHD standard ) or stuttering treatment integrated with EBPS (eADHD integrated ). The remaining children did not meet criteria for eADHD symptoms and received stuttering treatment only (No-eADHD standard ). Pre, post, and 3-month follow-up measures of stuttering treatment outcomes as well as treatment effects on measures of child behavior difficulties and parenting practices were examined. Results Significant reduction in stuttering was found for all groups. However, the eADHD integrated group showed a greater reduction in stuttering frequency than the eADHD standard group, and at follow-up, stuttering frequencies in the eADHD integrated group matched those of children in the No-eADHD standard group, while stuttering in the eADHD standard group remained significantly higher. Children with eADHD symptoms who received the integrated program also required significantly less stuttering intervention time than those children with eADHD symptoms who received stuttering treatment only. Families in the eADHD integrated group reported large and significant improvements in child behavior and parenting practices. Conclusion This study provides support for an early treatment program for CWS. The integrated stuttering and self-regulation management program for CWS with eADHD symptoms proved successful for fluency and behavioral improvements, which were sustained at follow-up.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana-Maria Vranceanu ◽  
Emily L Zale ◽  
Christopher J Funes ◽  
Eric A Macklin ◽  
Jessica McCurley ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Neurofibromatoses (NF) are rare genetic conditions associated with substantial psychosocial burden and impaired quality of life (QoL). We developed the first NF-tailored mind-body program (the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF) and adapted it for delivery via live videoconferencing to decrease participation barriers and increase its reach. In a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), we found that the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF had excellent feasibility and acceptability when delivered via live videoconferencing; furthermore, the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF showed proof of concept in improving QoL compared with an NF-tailored health education control program (the Health Enhancement Program for NF). A fully powered trial is needed to ascertain the efficacy and durability of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF delivered via secure live videoconferencing among geographically diverse patients. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF versus the Health Enhancement Program for NF, both delivered in groups via secure live videoconferencing, among geographically diverse patients with NF across the United States and internationally. Here we describe the protocol, manualized treatments, evaluation plan, and study design. METHODS This is a single-blind RCT. Patients are told that they will be randomized to one of the two stress management programs (stress management program 1: the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF and stress management program 2: the Health Enhancement Program for NF). Patients are recruited from NF-specific national and international foundations and NF clinics across the United States through study ads and a video of participants who have completed the program as part of the pilot study or ongoing trial. Interested participants are screened for eligibility via secure live videoconferencing (self-reported stress and difficulties coping, no change in antidepressant medication within the past 3 months, no psychotherapy within the past 3 months, no major upcoming surgeries within the next 12 months, English speaking, and able to complete questionnaires online and participate in live video interventions) and consent obtained before participation. Both programs are manualized comprising 8 sessions delivered via secure live videoconferencing by trained clinical psychologists. Primary outcomes are physical health QoL and psychological health QoL. Secondary outcomes are social relationship QoL, environment QoL, and psychosocial and resiliency variables. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, posttraining, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS The trial is ongoing. Thus far, we have recruited 55 patients and aim to recruit a total of 224. Recruitment will close in May 2020; we plan to complete data analyses by June 2021. CONCLUSIONS This trial will answer key questions about the efficacy and durability of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF via live videoconferencing with English-speaking adults with NF worldwide. If found efficacious, this program can be readily implemented through national and international NF foundations and NF-specific clinics. The virtual model of delivery has extensive applications for patients in rural areas, those with disability or illness that precludes travel to clinics, and those with rare diseases. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03406208; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03406208 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/72ZoTDQ6h) INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR RR1-10.2196/11008


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natsu Sasaki ◽  
Kotaro Imamura ◽  
Thuy Thi Thu Tran ◽  
Huong Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Kazuto Kuribayashi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Work engagement is important for employee’s well-being and work performance. However, no intervention study has investigated the effect of eMental Health intervention on work engagement among workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the newly developed smartphone-based stress management program (“ABC stress management”) on improving work engagement among hospital nurses in Vietnam, a LMIC. METHODS Full-time nurses (N= 949) were randomly assigned to two types of intervention groups and a control group. A 6-week, 6-lesson program offering basic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-based stress management skills); provided in free-choice (Program A) and fixed order (Program B). Work engagement was assessed at baseline, 3- and 7-month follow-ups in each of the three groups. RESULTS Program B showed a significant intervention effect on improving work engagement at 3-month follow-up (p = 0.049) with a small effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.16). Neither program achieved effectiveness at a 7-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that a smartphone-based stress management program was effective in improving work engagement in nurses in Vietnam, but the effect was small and temporary. This smartphone-based low-cost intervention may improve work engagement for workers in LMICs. CLINICALTRIAL UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000033139.


2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-87
Author(s):  
Aysel Esen Coban ◽  
Zeynep Hamamci

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of a didactic stress management program, group counselling, and a control group on school counsellors' stress coping strategies. Thirty-four school counsellors were randomly assigned to either a didactic stress management group, group counselling, or a control group. The didactic stress management group and the group counselling for stress management group were conducted concurrently for 10 consecutive weeks. A control group received no treatment. The Ways of Coping Inventory was administered to all participants at three different stages: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up. The results indicated that both the didactic stress management group and the group counselling for stress management group showed a significant reduction in the use of helpless coping strategies and a significant increase in the optimistic coping strategies at post-treatment. At follow-up, there were obvious group differences in the use of helpless coping strategies. Only those who were treated using group counselling exhibited a decrease in helpless coping strategies at the follow-up assessment.


1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Habib ◽  
Shirley Morrissey

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, debilitating skin disorder that accounts for up to 20% of dermatological diagnoses. A 6-week psychoeducational stress management program was developed, implemented, and evaluated as an adjunctive treatment for AD. The participants (n = 17) were randomly assigned to a treatment or waiting-list control group. Participants in both the intervention and waiting-list control groups were assessed for dermatitis severity by a blind rater both pre and posttreatment and at a follow-up conducted 8 weeks after the conclusion of the program. At posttest the intervention group had significantly reduced pruritus and global severity of atopic dermatitis, and reduced levels of social anxiety and private self-consciousness. At an 8-week follow-up, pruritus was entirely absent and global severity was continuing to decrease, as were levels of social anxiety and private self-consciousness. The psychoeducational stress-management program provided a short effective treatment that resulted in reduction of symptoms and provided long-term management strategies to sufferers of atopic dermatitis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1589-1594
Author(s):  
Yvonne van Zaalen ◽  
Isabella Reichel

Purpose Among the best strategies to address inadequate speech monitoring skills and other parameters of communication in people with cluttering (PWC) is the relatively new but very promising auditory–visual feedback (AVF) training ( van Zaalen & Reichel, 2015 ). This study examines the effects of AVF training on articulatory accuracy, pause duration, frequency, and type of disfluencies of PWC, as well as on the emotional and cognitive aspects that may be present in clients with this communication disorder ( Reichel, 2010 ; van Zaalen & Reichel, 2015 ). Methods In this study, 12 male adolescents and adults—6 with phonological and 6 with syntactic cluttering—were provided with weekly AVF training for 12 weeks, with a 3-month follow-up. Data was gathered on baseline (T0), Week 6 (T1), Week 12 (T2), and after follow-up (T3). Spontaneous speech was recorded and analyzed by using digital audio-recording and speech analysis software known as Praat ( Boersma & Weenink, 2017 ). Results The results of this study indicated that PWC demonstrated significant improvements in articulatory rate measurements and in pause duration following the AVF training. In addition, the PWC in the study reported positive effects on their ability to retell a story and to speak in more complete sentences. PWC felt better about formulating their ideas and were more satisfied with their interactions with people around them. Conclusions The AVF training was found to be an effective approach for improving monitoring skills of PWC with both quantitative and qualitative benefits in the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social domains of communication.


VASA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 497-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom De Beule ◽  
Jan Vranckx ◽  
Peter Verhamme ◽  
Veerle Labarque ◽  
Marie-Anne Morren ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: The technical and clinical outcomes of catheter-directed embolization for peripheral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) using Onyx® (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the safety, technical outcomes and clinical outcomes of catheter-directed Onyx® embolisation for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral AVMs. Patients and methods: Demographics, (pre-)interventional clinical and radiological data were assessed. Follow-up was based on hospital medical records and telephone calls to the patients’ general practitioners. Radiological success was defined as complete angiographic eradication of the peripheral AVM nidus. Clinical success was defined as major clinical improvement or complete disappearance of the initial symptoms. Results: 25 procedures were performed in 22 patients. The principal indications for treatment were pain (n = 10), limb swelling (n = 6), recurrent bleeding (n = 2), tinnitus (n = 3), and exertional dyspnoea (n = 1). Complete radiological success was obtained in eight patients (36 %); near-complete eradication of the nidus was achieved in the remaining 14 patients. Adjunctive embolic agents were used in nine patients (41 %). Clinical success was observed in 18 patients (82%). Major complications were reported in two patients (9 %). During follow-up, seven patients (32 %) presented with symptom recurrence, which required additional therapy in three patients. Conclusions: Catheter-directed embolisation of peripheral AVMs with Onyx® resulted in major clinical improvement or complete disappearance of symptoms in the vast majority of patients, although complete angiographic exclusion of the AVMs occurred in only a minority of patients.


Phlebologie ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 69-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Proebstle ◽  

Summary Background: Radiofrequency powered segmental thermal ablation Closure FAST has become a globally engaged technology for ablation of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs). Mid-term results of slowly resolving side effects are still not described. Methods: RSTA-treated GSVs (n = 295) were followed for 24 months in a prospective multicenter trial. Clinical control visits included flow and reflux analysis by duplex-ultrasound and assessment of treatment related side effects at all times. Results: 280 of 295 treated GSVs (94.9%) were available for 24 months follow-up. According to the method of Kaplan and Meier at 24 months after the intervention 98.6% of treated legs remained free of clinically relevant axial reflux. The average VCSS score improved from 3.9 ± 2.1 at screening to 0.7 ± 1.2 at 24 months follow-up (p < 0.0001). While only 41.1% of patients were free of pain before treatment, at 24 months 99.3% reported no pain and 96.4% did not experience pain during the 12 months before. At 24 months n=3 legs showed pigmentation along the inner thigh and one leg showed study-treatment related paresthesia. Conclusion: Radiofrequency powered segmental thermal ablation Closure FAST showed a very moderate side-effect profile in conjunction with a high and durable clinical success rate.


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