Attention Training Through Breathing Control To Modify Hyperactivity

Abstract

The use of a psychophysiological method for training children in the control of hyperactive behavior is explored. The method involved attention training through breathing control, incorporating biofeedback and operant conditioning principles to help the child develop self-control over excessive and distracting motor behaviors and to maintain attention in learning situations. Six children (age 6-8 years old), from a private school for children with learning disabilities, participated in the study, three assigned to a group given the breathing control and attention training and three assigned to a control group. Measures obtained before, during, and after training included respiration indices, attention and vigilance test performance scores, and teacher ratings of classroom behaviors. The findings supported the feasibility of the training approach and provided important information relevant for future refinements in training and evaluation procedures.

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