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Background: Psoriasis often coexists with psychiatric disorders and decreased quality of life (QoL), with treatments commonly overlooking the psychological impact of the disease. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) may offer a mind-body solution by providing real-time feedback on autonomic functions, teaching individuals to manage stress via controlled breathing. Objective: To examine the impact of a 7-week HRVB protocol on skin severity (SS), QoL, and mental health (MH) in individuals with psoriasis and determine the sustainability of any outcomes post-intervention. Methods: A single-arm, proof-of-concept pre-post trial was conducted at Bastyr University Clinic in San Diego, CA. Five individuals were recruited, screened, and underwent a 7-week HRVB protocol. Assessments included SS through the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI-P and PASI-C), QoL via the Cardiff Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and MH using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data collection points were baseline, post-protocol, and 1-month follow-up. Results: Notable improvements were observed between baseline and post-protocol for PASI-P, DLQI, and GAD-7. A significant change remained for GAD-7 between baseline and follow-up. No major differences were identified for PASI-C and PHQ-9 across any timeframe, and other scales remained consistent between post-protocol and follow-up. Conclusion: HRVB showed promise in enhancing perceived SS, QoL, and anxiety over 7 weeks. Further studies should expand participant numbers and diversify initial scores, comparing HRVB with a control group. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05506644, retrospectively registered on 16 August 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated a simple biofeedback-assisted training protocol for increasing somatic awareness as well as reducing dyponesis. Twelve normal, healthy volunteers with no known musculoskeletal impairments (mean age of 23.8 years) were trained to increase awareness of ‘‘wasted effort’’ in the neck muscles during a simple bending task. Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were recorded from the midcervical paraspinal muscles (C-5) while the subject performed a forward fold, also described as a ‘‘toe touch’’ movement. The quantitative measures of sEMG activity were compared to a subjective measure of neck muscle tension. During the pretraining measurements, 11 of 12 participants reported no subjective awareness of increased neck muscle tension while bending in a forward fold ‘‘toe touch’’ position. After approximately 10 minutes of ‘‘dysponesis awareness training,’’ all participants had measurable reductions in neck muscle tension, as well as reductions in the subjective sense of tension while performing the forward fold exercise, as compared to pretraining. The 11 participants who increased their self-awareness following training reported not only feeling decreased neck muscle tension but also increased general relaxation levels. The findings suggest that most individuals may be unaware of increased muscle tension during simple activities such as a forward bend, yet may rapidly learn how to reduce dysponesis, such as unnecessary neck muscle overexertion during a forward bend. Furthermore, sEMG dysponesis awareness training could be adapted to rapidly train individuals such as athletes to reduce unnecessary muscle use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on various events related to applied psychophysiology and health issues. The 24th Annual Meeting Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback will be held from March 25, 1993 to March 30, 1993 at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The theme for the meeting emphasizes the need to nurture new ideas in applied psychophysiology, so that through suitable testing they can be accepted as efficacious techniques. The Third International Conference on Biobehavioral Self-Regulation and Health will be held from September 21, 1993 to September 25, 1993 at the Capitol Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.

From March 17th through 22nd, 1989, the Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) will be held at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego, California. The theme of the meeting is roots to the future. Six seminars will cover the applications of temperature biofeedback, applications of cardiovascular biofeedback, applications of electroencephalography biofeedback, neuromuscular rehabilitation, headache, and other applications. Further information can be obtained from AAPB.

This article presents details of the Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, that will be held at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego, California from March 17-22, 1989. The theme of the meeting is "Roots to the Future." Six seminars will cover the applications of temperature biofeedback, applications of cardiovascular biofeedback, applications of LEG biofeedback, neuromuscular rehabilitation, headache and other applications. The deadline for submission of papers is September 30, 1988.

This article presents information about a meeting and a course on biofeedback. From February 23rd through 27th, 1979, the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America will be held at the Towne and Country Hotel & Convention Center in San Diego, California. Several one and two day workshops on topics related to biofeedback research and clinical applications will be held following the meeting. From May 3rd through May 5th, 1979, a Clinical Biofeedback Course, directed by Dr. John V. Basmajian, will be held in Hamilton, Ontario.

The article presents announcement of a weekend symposium on biofeedback and meditation. A weekend symposium entitled "Biofeedback and Meditation: Stress and Self-Regulatory Therapies'' will be held on January 22 and 23, 1977 in San Francisco. The University of California, San Francisco, Public Programs and Continuing Education, School of Medicine sponsors the symposium in cooperation with The Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge. Contact address for further information about the symposium is provided.