Generalization of skills between operant control and discrimination of EEG alpha.
While biofeedback is often said to increase self-control of physiological states by increasing awareness of their subjective correlates, relatively few studies have analyzed the relationship between control (standard biofeedback) and awareness (a discrimination paradigm). We hypothesized that the two skills would generalize and facilitate each other for 8-12Hz EEG amplitude (alpha). Participants were given 7 sessions of training to either control or discriminate Pz alpha followed by 3 sessions of the other paradigm. Another group was given 7 sessions with time divided equally between the two types of training. The control-training first group showed significant generalization of skills to the discrimination task. However, the reverse was not true, and the combined task group did no better in either task than the other two groups. These results provide ambivalent support for the role of awareness in biofeedback, and suggest possible improvements in the discrimination paradigm.
Department of Psychology, St. Cloud State University, 720 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498, USA. Electronic address: jafrederick@stcloudstate.edu.
Jon A
JA
Frederick
Department of Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University, Box 87, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA.
Andrew S
AS
Heim
Department of Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University, Box 87, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA.
Kelli N
KN
Dunn
Elite Behavior Analysis, 6116 Shallowford Road, STE 201, Chattanooga, TN 37421, USA.
Cynthia D
CD
Powers
Department of Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University, Box 87, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA.
Casey J
CJ
Klein
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D001364:Awareness; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005793:Generalization, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068356:Self-Control; D055815:Young Adult
Alpha; Biofeedback; Discrimination; EEG; Neurofeedback; Psychophysiology; Sensory motor skills