Biofeedback Volume 44: Issue 3

The cover of this special issue of Biofeedback symbolizes the precious gifts of mindfulness and compassion in an impersonal technological world (thanks to Shutterstock for the image).

Introduction to the Special Issue

This special issue on “Mindfulness and Compassion in Biofeedback Practice” is a continuation of the themes presented in the Fall 2015 special issue on mindfulness. Guest Editor Inna Khazan, author of The Clinical Handbook of Biofeedback: A Step-by-step Guide for Training and Practice with Mindfulness (2013), has once again gathered a rich assortment of authors and topics to chronicle the application of mindfulness and

This paper introduces a comprehensive methodology for achieving optimal human performance in a variety of professional settings, including highly challenging ones. This methodology harnesses the power of empirically validated biofeedback and mindfulness techniques. As part of this methodology, I present a step-by-step approach to training, including an easy-to-use technique called FLARE.

Mindfulness is everywhere, from the cover of TIME magazine to segments on every major news network. With such popularity in mainstream culture for mindfulness, it was only a matter of time before psychology embraced the approach by offering a burst of mindfulness-based therapies, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based eating awareness therapy. These approaches claim mindfulness as a central theme, yet debate has grown over the role of mindfulness in psychotherapy and biofeedback, and there is growing concern about secularizing a philosophy originating in Asia over 2,000 years ago. This paper will define mindfulness from both traditional and modern perspectives, review the skills and practice of mindfulness, examine the connection of mindfulness and health, and show how, as a process, mindfulness is incorporated in virtually most forms of psychotherapy as well as biofeedback training.

Mindfulness training programs are being integrated in many school systems around the world. Biofeedback professionals can use their unique training to help students and teachers learn and further develop powerful self-regulation skills that are incorporated in mindfulness training. Biofeedback training can improve learning these skills because of the clarity and specificity of the physiological feedback given through biofeedback training. There are numerous ways of integrating biofeedback and mindfulness that are beneficial to educators and students for reducing stress and anxiety and improving performance.

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

Linda P. BolinPhD, MSN, RN, ANP, BCB, FAHA,

Amelia D. SaulPhD, CTRS, BCB, and

Carmen V. RussonielloPhD, LCMHC

Special Issue: Mindfulness and Compassion in Biofeedback Practice

Introduction to the Special Issue

Taking Human Performance to the Next Level (with FLARE)

The Mindfulness Imperative: How the Pedagogical Principles of Mindfulness Provide the Foundation for Biofeedback

Combining Biofeedback and Mindfulness in Education

Educational Model for Self-Healing: Eliminating a Chronic Migraine with Electromyography, Autogenic Training, Posture, and Mindfulness

Clinical Use of Self-Compassion Within Mindfulness-Based Biofeedback in the Treatment of Veterans and Spouses: A Case Study

Integration of Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Biofeedback for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Case of Peter

Developing Acceptance with the Help of Sensors—“Embracing the Me That I Can See”

Neurofeedback and Mindfulness in Peak Performance Training Among Athletes

The House Is Crashing down on Me: Integrating Mindfulness, Breath Training, and Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for an Anxiety Disorder in a 71-Year-Old Caregiver

A Guide to Cleaner Skin Temperature Recordings and More Versatile Use of Your Thermistor

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

SPECIAL ISSUE: Pain—There Is Hope

REPORT: Report from FABBS Meeting

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

ABSTRACTS: Abstracts of Posters Presented at the 54th Annual Scientific Meeting of AAPB