Biofeedback Volume 42: Issue 4

The cover of this issue of Biofeedback shows a photograph of Austin, Texas, the site of the 46th Annual Meeting of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (March 11–14, 2015). Mark your calendars now for this exciting scientific meeting, with the conference theme “The Many Faces of Biofeedback.”

Professional Issues

Judy Crawford and Fredric Shaffer provide a report on the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance's (BCIA's) Neurofeedback Certification Task Force. Professional certification programs must continuously update their blueprints of knowledge, exams, and reading lists. BCIA once again began a revision process for its neurofeedback certification in 2013, under

Professional certification programs must continuously assess and improve their blueprints, exams, and reading lists to stay relevant. In 2009, the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) revised its biofeedback and neurofeedback certification programs under the leadership of Randy Neblett and Leslie Sherlin. In 2012, BCIA revamped the Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Biofeedback program under the guidance of Debbie Callif. For the past 8 months, BCIA's Neurofeedback Task Force, led by Genie Davis, has collaborated with its stakeholders to revise the entire neurofeedback certification program to continue to reflect current science, technology, and practice standards. This article explains the goals and process that guided this herculean effort.

This article describes the administration of a heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback intervention designed to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity in post-9/11 service members. The study recruited 33 male OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans in a Los Angeles transitional housing program. Twenty-seven veterans completed the study. Participants attended eight once-weekly HRV biofeedback group sessions. For the first four weeks, veterans learned to use biofeedback to regulate physiological stress responses. The latter four weeks consisted of real-life biofeedback application and coaching. Results suggest that consistent HRV biofeedback practice was essential for HRV improvement, which may help alleviate PTSD.

The process of doing interventional research using a randomized clinical trial design to test the efficacy of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback as a treatment for combat-related posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) in Veterans with PTSD is described from two perspectives: by the study Principal Investigator and by one of the research staff. The history, context, and results of the study are briefly presented.

From the Editor

Professional Issues

A Progress Report from the BCIA Neurofeedback Certification Task Force

Implementing Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Groups for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Perspectives on Research on the Use of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The Effect of LENS Treatment on Cognitive Functioning and Brainwave Patterns

Transforming Chained Behaviors: Case Studies of Overcoming Smoking, Eczema, and Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania)^a

Skin Resistance Measurement in Japanese Acupuncture

Clinical Tip: Relax and Relax More

REPORT: Report from FABBS Meeting

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT: Establishing a University-Based Biofeedback Clinic for Practice, Education, and Research

SPECIAL ISSUE: The Impact of a Romantic Partner on Patient Experience of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback

SPECIAL ISSUE: Pain—There Is Hope

ABSTRACTS: Abstracts of Papers Presented at the 54th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback