Special training programs

Examples of applications

• stress management
• psychosomatic stress-related problems
• psychophysiological stress tolerance

Description
The aim of the program is to identify how the client reacts in an active stress situation.

Using clicks of the mouse the client assesses the shape, colour and accompanying acoustic signal of a geometric figure that moves about the screen. The computer continuously adapts the speed of presentation to the client’s performance. This subjects the client to the optimum level of persistent stress.

Examples of applications

• relaxation training
• stress reduction

Description
With the aid of feedback on skin conductivity the client learns to consciously control the habitual level of arousal and the level of sympathetic nervous system activity.

Internal tension results in increased activity of the sweat glands and hence in a higher skin conductance level (electrodermal activity or EDA). When the arousal level changes, the skin conductance reaction occurs almost immediately (within 0.6 – 6.0 seconds). It is therefore an excellent indicator of the relationship between physical and emotional processes.  

In EDA relaxation exercises you can choose between the following types of feedback:

• Face:
  When skin conductance falls, the face on the screen smiles.
• Morphing:
  A transformation occurs – for example, a frog turns into a prince.
• Depiction for children
  Figures suitable for children (such as a dog or a clown) change their position.
• Jigsaw puzzle
  Missing pieces are added to a jigsaw puzzle.

Examples of applications

• ADS/ADHS
  The aim of training is to reduce theta activity while at the same time increasing beta and SMR activity. Training takes place in successive phases, for example:
  
  1. Phase 1 – reduce theta
  2. Phase 2 – reduce theta, increase SMR
  3. Phase 3 – reduce theta, increase SMR, increase beta
• Dependency disorders (especially alcoholism)
  The aim of training is to increase alpha and theta activity.
• Anxiety disorders (especially post-traumatic stress disorder)
  The aim of training is to increase alpha and theta activity.
• Depression, epilepsy, sleep disorders
  The aim of training is to increase SMR and beta activity.

Description
The feedback in this form of training enables the client to consciously influence brain activity in various frequency ranges.

Pre-set therapy forms, which are ready for immediate use, are available for the most important EEG applications. In this type of training threshold values are used to control a video that is shown to the client as a reward.

Examples of applications

• cervical syndrome
• back pain
• tinnitus
• EMG relaxation exercises

Description
The client attempts to deliberately relax tense muscles. Either line feedback or threshold training can be used.

For cervical syndrome and back pain readings can be taken from the left and right sides of the back simultaneously. The program displays the readings on the same axis so that the two muscle tensions can be directly compared.

Four different frequency ranges (for slow and fast muscle fibres) and seven different measurement ranges (adjustable amplification) enable optimally adapted training to be provided in any situation.

Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to an organism's ability to continuously adapt the interval between heartbeats to situational requirements. Physical strain or mental stress result in a quickening of the heart rate, which falls again during relaxation and recovery.
Heart rate variability is a good indicator of health status, stress tolerance, resilience and biological age. Restricted heart rate variability is a sign of labile health, burnout, depressiveness and a biological age that is higher than actual age.

Examples of applications

• reducing mental and physiological tension
• psychosomatic disorders
• supporting therapy for heart disease
• psychovegetative exhaustion
• insomnia
• high blood pressure
• coping with stress and anxiety
• increasing DHEA levels (the "youth hormone")
• irritable bowel syndrome

Description
The training aims to achieve coherence of breathing, pulse and blood pressure. Three training forms are provided for this purpose.

Examples of applications

• phobias
• panic attacks
• anxiety disorders

Description
The system automatically shows a picture sequence that induces anxiety or arousal. Clients learn to influence the reaction of the autonomic nervous system, thus controlling their anxiety.

Because of its responsiveness, the skin conductance level (EDA) is a suitable indicator of anxiety or internal tension. However, as the various vegetative systems (EDA, PULS, etc.) respond differently in different clients, a range of different parameters should be monitored.

Systematic desensitization can be achieved by ordering the pictures according to the strength of the anxiety or arousal response which they induce.

There is a wide selection of different pictures to choose from. You can also create your own picture sequences and add them to the program.

Examples of applications

• floppy paralysis
• injuries and disorders affecting mobility
• torticollis
• radicular headaches
• incontinence

Description
During rehabilitation the client trains specific muscle groups with the aid of a target graph. The aim is to increase the degree of control over muscle tension and to gradually develop the strength of the muscles involved.

The client tenses and relaxes the particular muscle group at regular intervals while attempting to follow the course of a graph shown on the screen. The graph displayed is based on the client’s readings as measured by the program in the calibration phase.

So that training can be maintained for a longer period, the program calls for only 75% of the maximum reading obtained in the calibration phase. Seven sensitivity settings and four different filters are available. It is thus possible to ensure that the client receives encouraging feedback even if only weak muscle signals are obtained. The contraction phases, the number of repetitions and the pauses can be adjusted individually to make training easier in the initial stages.

Examples of applications

• taking case history
• investigative interviews
• therapy for anxiety disorders
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Description
The voice and video recorder can be used during a therapeutic conversation to record the conversation itself at the same time as physiological parameters. The video recorder function is new: this enables the discussion to be recorded as a video (this is in addition to the sound recording function, which is still available).

In the review after the session, conspicuous physiological parameters can be matched precisely to the point in the conversation at which they occurred. To avoid undesirable feedback reactions, the monitor should be positioned where the client cannot see it.

Signals from up to seven radio modules (or 32 channels) can be transmitted simultaneously. This enables the physiological parameters of a number of people to be monitored in a group setting if required.

Examples of applications
relaxation training
essential hypertonia
bronchial asthma
migraine, panic attacks, agoraphobia

Description
This procedure, developed by Dr. Rudolf Marx, uses the display of an ideal respiration curve to help the client acquire an efficient and correct style of breathing.

The statistical module enables data obtained with Biofeedback 2000^x-pert to be prepared for further statistical analysis in standard statistics programs. This enables comparisons to be made for study purposes between sessions or individuals or within a session.

The following settings are available:

Intervals
You define the intervals that are of interest. You can choose from several selection methods: automatically defined by markers, relative to a session and absolutely positioned.

Measurement channels
You select the relevant measurement channels

Interval parameters
You decide which parameters of the selected intervals will be calculated (mean, median, minimum, maximum, gradient, standard deviation etc.).

During the calculation process the program can smooth out data and remove spikes.

Data can be exported in an SPSS format or in tab-separated form (e.g. for Excel).

Examples of applications

• stress management
• psychosomatic stress-related problems
• analysis of response-related physiological parameters

Description
This test identifies the vegetative systems (cardiovascular, skin conductance, muscle tone etc.) that show the most marked response to stress for the client. It also enables information to be gathered on the trend of emotional processes (e.g. anticipatory anxiety) over time and how stressful situations are dealt with.

Activation screening is divided into four phases:

1. Relaxation phase (baseline)
2. Preparatory phase
3. Confrontation phase with a stress inducer (visual and acoustic)
4. Relaxation phase

Examples of applications

• Raynaud's disease
• migraine
• essential hypertonia
• temperature training for general relaxation

Description
In this type of training the client increases the blood flow to the hands through relaxation.

Changes in peripheral blood supply are controlled by the blood vessel mechanism – that is, by sympathetic arousal of the vasoconstrictor fibres. As a person relaxes, the blood vessels widen and blood flow increases. The hands become warmer. Feedback is provided via the temperature sensor.

Two programs are available:

Sun
By warming the hand the client causes the sun to rise. When the training goal is reached, the process starts again.

Visual stimulus presentation
The program displays a series of pictures which convey increasing degrees of coldness. While watching the pictures the client attempts to keep the hand temperature as stable as possible. This function can only be used in combination with the special training program “Confrontation training with picture sequences” (BFKON).

You can also incorporate your own pictures into the program.

Examples of applications

• claustrophobia
• fear of heights
• driving anxiety
• animal phobias
• fear of flying
• fear of medical examinations

Description
Confrontation training with video functions in the same way as confrontation training with pictures (BFKON) but uses video clips instead of picture sequences. The client is therefore more realistically immersed in the anxiety-inducing situation.

In partnership with the company Psycho-Vision GmbH, SCHUHFRIED has integrated a series of psychologically relevant videos into the software. Each video lasts for 30 seconds and can be played in an endless loop. For longer video sequences please contact Psycho-Vision GmbH direct: www.psycho-vision.de.