title: Physiological mechanisms of temperature biofeedback.
abstract: Research on the physiological mechanisms of finger temperature biofeedback with normal subjects and Raynaud's disease patients is reviewed. Studies conducted in the author's laboratory have shown that feedback-induced vasodilation is mediated through a non-neural, beta-adrenergic mechanism rather than through reductions in sympathetic nervous system activation. In contrast, feedback-induced vasoconstriction is mediated through the traditional, sympathetic nervous pathway. When used with primary Raynaud's disease patients, feedback-induced vasodilation has achieved reductions in reported symptom frequency ranging from 66% to 92% in controlled investigations. Future research directions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Lafayette Clinic, Detroit, Michigian 48207.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Freedman
mesh_terms: D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D001831:Body Temperature; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012016:Reference Values; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology