Beneficial Effects of Accurate and False Brief Biofeedback on Relaxation

Abstract

Much research has focused on the efficacy of biofeedback therapy; however, previous studies only compared biofeedback treatment with no-treatment conditions or pre- and posttest data. Examination of biofeedback relaxation therapy with a false-feedback condition could produce data on physiological changes suitable to clarify findings. 63 participants were randomly assigned to either an accurate- or false-feedback condition for a 5-min. period. Analysis of the measures yielded significant differences in both groups between pre- and posttests, but not between groups, suggesting a potential placebo effect of biofeedback-induced relaxation.