Biofeedback treatments of generalized anxiety disorder: preliminary results

Biofeedback Self Regul. 1993 Jun;18(2):93-105. doi: 10.1007/BF01848110.

Abstract

Forty-five individuals with generalized anxiety (38 with GAD as defined by DSM-III) were randomized to 4 treatment conditions or a waiting list control. Patients received 8 sessions of either frontal EMG biofeedback, biofeedback to increase EEG alpha, biofeedback to decrease EEG alpha, or a pseudomeditation control condition. All treated subjects showed significant reductions in STAI-Trait Anxiety and psychophysiologic symptoms on the Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist. Only alpha-increase biofeedback subjects showed significant reductions in heart rate reactivity to stressors at a separate psychophysiological testing session. Decreased self-report of anxiety was maintained at 6 weeks posttreatment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Biofeedback, Psychology / methods*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychophysiology
  • Self Disclosure