Psychophysiological Stress Assessment Using Biofeedback
July 31st, 2009
In this video we will describe one method of assessing person's psychophysiological reaction to stress using biofeedback. We will also present general guidelines for treatment planning.
Hi, I am Ina Hasan from the Boston Center for Health, psychology and Biofeedback. Today we're going to show you a procedure for recording and interpreting a Psychophysiological stress profile. I'll use this procedure to help figure out people's reactions to stress, identify unhelpful reactions, and then help people modify these reactions.
So let's get started. This procedure uses the physio lab I three 30 C two plus with 12 channels. To begin the procedure, attach the EMG lead, de port A, the ECG lead de port B, the combined skin conductance temperature, ground sensor, deports C and the breathing belt to Port D.Prepare the subject's skin by gently rubbing with an alcohol wipe.
Start with the forehead above the eyes for the EMG sensor. Then wipe the inside of both of the subject's wrists for the ECG sensor. Last wipe the back of the subject's left hand for the ground electrode.
Next, start attaching the sensors. Ask the subject to wrap the breathing belt around their waist, making sure that the pressure gauge is in the front and the belt is not twisted. Place the EMG sensors on the subject's forehead above each eye.
Place the ECG sensors on the inside of each wrist. The skin conductance sensor is placed on the middle finger of the left hand. The thermometer is placed on the index finger and the ground electrode on the back of the hand.
Next, select the session type in this case using the physio lab I three 30 C two plus select breathing plus HRV. When the impedance screen comes up, make sure that the impedance is acceptable for all the sensors. Green and yellow bars indicate good acceptable quality signal while red bars indicate poor quality signal.
If any readings are of poor quality, reattach the sensors after repeating skin preparation or check the leads for damage. Next, select the test signal screen and make sure that the sensors are responding adequately. For the EMG test, ask the subject to move their eyebrows up and down.
The EMG signal on the screen should increase and decrease accordingly. For the ECG test, ask the subject to engage in some movement. The ECG signal should increase.
To test the breathing belt, ask the subject to take a couple of deep breaths. The breathing line on the screen should rise when the subject inhales and drop when the subject exhales with a set of complete. Proceed to the recording session before.
Before starting the recording, explain the procedure to the subject. Ask you to sit with the eyes open, just in quiet. You bear the procedure minutes.
Instruct the subject to sit quietly with eyes open. Record a two minute baseline. Next, begin the two minute cognitive stressor involving arithmetic problems of increasing difficulty to be solved without the use of pen and paper or calculator.
Tell the client and the next two minutes, I will be asking you to solve some math problems. Please work as quickly as you can and tell me the answer.Okay. In the next two minutes, I'm going to give you some math problems just to solve in, in your mind, without any paper or calculator.
Do the best you can and give me the answers quickly as you can.Okay? Okay.What is 18 plus 49? 59 93 Minus 15 Minus 1570.Okay.
Okay, so this part of this has mid over and I'm gonna ask you to sit quietly with your eyes open for two minutes. So now I'm going to ask you to listen to some sounds and do your best to not tune them out. Actually listen to to the sounds as much as again.Okay.
So in the next two minutes, I'm going to again ask you to just sit quietly with your eyes open. In next minutes, I'm going to ask you to talk about something stressful that happened to you recently, something that you remember well, so you can tell me what you were thinking, feeling, and what the situation was. That was stressful.
My wife and two kids were in car accident. They okay. They fine.
Three years not, so, it was kind of stressful to get a call from my wife that figuring out how to get by with all the shows, it was pretty stressful, but I'm still dealing with it today. Felt like it was totally wrong time to come up with, to have another problem to deal with, but Again, Keeps me alive.Okay. All right.
I'm gonna stop you here and ask you for the next two minutes to sit quietly with your eyes open.Okay. Stop recording. Save the data and let the subject know that the assessment is done.Okay.
So the assessment is all done. Thank you. With the assessment at hand, a treatment plan can be developed to debrief.
Ask the subject about their experience during the assessment. Which parts were particularly stressful and why did the subject feel any physiological changes happening? Tell me how the stress assessment went, whether any of any of the parts were particularly stressful, how you experienced it.
Well, the math was definitely much more stressful, intense. The sound. Review the data according to the criteria described in Appendix one.
Accompanying this video protocol, choose physiological parameters that need to be addressed based on analysis of the physiological data recorded during the session and develop a treatment plan. After completing the session, review the collected data. Use the stress assessment interpretation guidelines to decide on a treatment.
For example, a normal EMG reading is below three microvolts if the reading is elevated. At baseline, the treatment goal is to help the subject bring the physiological parameter to normal in a non-stressful environment. If the reading is elevated during a stressor, the treatment goal is to help the subject identify stressors and be able to maintain normal levels of physiological functioning under stress.
And if the reading indicates lack of recovery during the downtime, the treatment goal is to help the subject bring that physiological parameter to normal levels quickly following a stressor, any or all of these goals may be included in the treatment plan. We have just shown you how to conduct a psychophysiological stress assessment using biofeedback. When doing this procedure, it's important to remember to not give the subject much feedback during the stressors and to adhere to the timing.
It is also important not to instruct the subject to relax during the recovery breaks, let the subject do what they usually do following a stressful situation. So that's it. Thanks for watching and good luck with your assessments.
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Overview
This video demonstrates a method for assessing an individual's psychophysiological response to stress through biofeedback techniques. It provides guidelines for treatment planning based on the assessment results.
Key Study Components
Area of Science
- Psychophysiology
- Biofeedback
- Stress assessment
Background
- Understanding stress reactions is crucial for effective treatment.
- Biofeedback can help individuals modify their stress responses.
- Recording physiological data provides insights into stress management.
- Guidelines for treatment planning enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of Study
- To assess psychophysiological reactions to stress.
- To identify unhelpful stress reactions.
- To assist individuals in modifying their stress responses.
Methods Used
- Utilization of the Physio Lab I3 30 C2 Plus with 12 channels.
- Attachment of EMG, ECG, skin conductance, and breathing sensors.
- Preparation of the subject's skin for accurate readings.
- Recording and interpreting physiological data to create a stress profile.
Main Results
- Identification of physiological markers associated with stress.
- Insights into individual stress reactions.
- Guidance for modifying unhelpful stress responses.
- Framework for effective treatment planning.
Conclusions
- Biofeedback is a valuable tool for stress assessment.
- Understanding psychophysiological profiles aids in treatment.
- Effective modification of stress responses can improve well-being.
