Biofeedback in the Treatment of the Stress Response

Everly, George S.; Lating, Jeffrey M.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-9098-6_18

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The increasing interest in the influence of psychological stress on physiological systems has spurred extensive research efforts, improving our understanding of the multifaceted stress effects on on immune system activity and disease risk (Everly et al, 2019). A variety of stressful events has been investigated by previous research, ranging from brief everyday stressors (e.g., academic exams), over life event stressors (e.g., death of loved ones), to standardized laboratory stressors (e.g., Trier social stress test).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These changes may be part of an adaptive fight-or-flight response to stressful situations, which evolutionary carried the risk of injury and infection (Szabo et al, 2020; Marsland et al, 2017; Slavish et al, 2015; Segerstrom and Miller, 2004). Further, psychological stress and the individual degree of stress responsivity are considered risk factors in various somatic and psychiatric diseases, possibly by affecting immune functioning (Seizer and Schubert, 2022; Khandaker et al, 2021; Everly et al, 2019; Marsland et al, 2002). However, the pathways underlying this stress-related regulation of immunity are still not fully understood (Schiller et al, 2021), and the field is plagued by high heterogeneity of effect sizes reported in individual studies (Szabo et al, 2020; Segerstrom and Miller, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Timing matters: A meta-analysis on the dynamic effect of stress on salivary immunoglobulin

Seizer,

Stasielowicz,

Löchner

2024

Preprint

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The impact of psychological stress on physiological systems has been a focus of extensive research, particularly in understanding its diverse effects on immune system activity and disease risk. This meta-analysis explores the dynamic effect of acute stress on salivary immunoglobulin-A (S-IgA) levels, a key biomarker for secretory immunity within the oral environment. Analyzing data from 34 samples comprising 87 effect sizes and a total of 1,025 subjects, a multi-level approach is employed to account for the temporal variability in measuring the stress response. The results reveal a significant increase in S-IgA levels peaking around 10 minutes after stress exposure, followed by a return to baseline levels approximately 30 minutes later. In addition, the meta-analysis identified several research gaps of the extant literature, such as limitations in the considered time lag after stress. In conclusion, the findings emphasize the temporal nuances of the stress-induced S-IgA response, which can help to infer potential biological pathways and guide sampling designs in future studies. Further, we highlight the use of a multi-level meta-analysis approach to investigate the temporal dependencies of the interplay between stress and immune functioning.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Timing matters: A meta-analysis on the dynamic effect of stress on salivary immunoglobulin

Seizer,

Stasielowicz,

Löchner

2024

Preprint

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“…Despite its potential benefits in enhancing everyday life experiences, autosuggestion gained little scientific attention, while different forms of heterosuggestion (i.e., suggestions coming from another person), such as hypnosis or placebo, are more widely studied. Heterosuggestion has been shown to reduce anxiety 4 , 5 , to support stress management 6 , 7 , to improve wellbeing 8 , 9 , and to modulate cognitive performance 10 , 11 as well as to increase the perceived control of one’s own actions 12 . Studies on heterosuggestion often focus on health outcomes such as alleviating pain 13 , 14 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How the inner repetition of a desired perception changes actual tactile perception

Myga,

Kuehn,

Azañón

2024

Sci Rep

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Autosuggestion is a cognitive process where the inner repetition of a thought actively influences one’s own perceptual state. In spite of its potential benefits for medical interventions, this technique has gained little scientific attention so far. Here, we took advantage of the known link between intensity and frequency perception in touch (‘Békésy effect’). In three separate experiments, participants were asked to modulate the perceived intensity of vibrotactile stimuli at the fingertip through the inner reiteration of the thought that this perception feels very strong (Experiment 1, n = 19) or very weak (Experiments 2, n = 38, and 3, n = 20), while they were asked to report the perceived frequency. We show that the task to change the perceived intensity of a tactile stimulus via the inner reiteration of a thought modulates tactile frequency perception. This constitutes the first experimental demonstration that an experimental design that triggers autosuggestion alters participants’ tactile perception using a response orthogonal to the suggested variable. We discuss whether this cognitive process could be used to influence the perception of pain in a clinical context.

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“…There are multiple reasons for the broad impact of stress as it affects many dimensions, such as cognition (eg, negative attributional style), affect (eg, affective dysregulation, such as increase in anxiety), physiology (eg, dysregulation of the endocrine response system), and behavior (eg, harmful behavioral changes, such as smoking or physical inactivity) [ 3 ]. As a result, chronic stress causes a higher risk for various somatic diseases and mental disorders, such as gastric ulcers, migraine, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and depression [ 3 , 5 , 7 - 11 ]. In addition to the substantial impact on health, work-related stress results in high costs for society, especially through productivity-related losses [ 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress Management Apps: Systematic Search and Multidimensional Assessment of Quality and Characteristics

Paganini,

Meier,

Terhorst

et al. 2023

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Chronic stress poses risks for physical and mental well-being. Stress management interventions have been shown to be effective, and stress management apps (SMAs) might help to transfer strategies into everyday life. Objective This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the quality and characteristics of SMAs to give potential users or health professionals a guideline when searching for SMAs in common app stores. Methods SMAs were identified with a systematic search in the European Google Play Store and Apple App Store. SMAs were screened and checked according to the inclusion criteria. General characteristics and quality were assessed by 2 independent raters using the German Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS-G). The MARS-G assesses quality (range 1 to 5) on the following four dimensions: (1) engagement, (2) functionality, (3) esthetics, and (4) information. In addition, the theory-based stress management strategies, evidence base, long-term availability, and common characteristics of the 5 top-rated SMAs were assessed and derived. Results Of 2044 identified apps, 121 SMAs were included. Frequently implemented strategies (also in the 5 top-rated SMAs) were psychoeducation, breathing, and mindfulness, as well as the use of monitoring and reminder functions. Of the 121 SMAs, 111 (91.7%) provided a privacy policy, but only 44 (36.4%) required an active confirmation of informed consent. Data sharing with third parties was disclosed in only 14.0% (17/121) of the SMAs. The average quality of the included apps was above the cutoff score of 3.5 (mean 3.59, SD 0.50). The MARS-G dimensions yielded values above this cutoff score (functionality: mean 4.14, SD 0.47; esthetics: mean 3.76, SD 0.73) and below this score (information: mean 3.42, SD 0.46; engagement: mean 3.05, SD 0.78). Most theory-based stress management strategies were regenerative stress management strategies. The evidence base for 9.1% (11/121) of the SMAs could be identified, indicating significant group differences in several variables (eg, stress or depressive symptoms) in favor of SMAs. Moreover, 38.0% (46/121) of the SMAs were no longer available after a 2-year period. Conclusions The moderate information quality, scarce evidence base, constraints in data privacy and security features, and high volatility of SMAs pose challenges for users, health professionals, and researchers. However, owing to the scalability of SMAs and the few but promising results regarding their effectiveness, they have a high potential to reach and help a broad audience. For a holistic stress management approach, SMAs could benefit from a broader repertoire of strategies, such as more instrumental and mental stress management strategies. The common characteristics of SMAs with top-rated quality can be used as guidance for potential users and health professionals, but owing to the high volatility of SMAs, enhanced evaluation frameworks are needed.

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Biofeedback in the Treatment of the Stress Response

Cited by 4 publications

References 138 publications

Timing matters: A meta-analysis on the dynamic effect of stress on salivary immunoglobulin

Timing matters: A meta-analysis on the dynamic effect of stress on salivary immunoglobulin

How the inner repetition of a desired perception changes actual tactile perception

Stress Management Apps: Systematic Search and Multidimensional Assessment of Quality and Characteristics

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