Operant Conditioning of Increases in Blood Pressure

Abstract

Four monkeys were presented with 10 sec tones which terminated with shocks. The tones were immediately terminated without shock if the animal's diastolic blood pressure rose above a criterion level and remained high for 1 sec. Termination of the tone was followed by a 5 sec time out. Trials began whenever the pressure dropped below the criterion level. All subjects learned the avoidance task, showing diastolic elevations of up to 60 mm of mercury in response to the tones. A linear relationship was seen between the minimum pressure required for avoidance and the pressure achieved. No change in blood pressure accompanied a second stimulus which was never paired with shock. A fifth control monkey was yoked to one of the experimental monkeys and simultaneously received all shocks and tones as determined by the blood pressure of the experimental animal. The yoked control showed no pressure changes to the tones, but normal pressure elevations to shock.

Revisión sobre las técnicas de Biofeedback y sus aplicaciones [Biofeedback techniques and their applications: A review]

“…Por ejemplo, los trabajos sobre las contracciones intestinales en ratas (Miller y Banuazizi, 1968), sobre el control de la presión sanguínea en humanos (Shapiro, Tursky, Gershom y Stern, 1969), y en primates (Plumlee, 1969).…”

Treatment of Faecal Incontinence in a Child With Sacral Agenesis: The Use of Biofeedback Training

“…Biofeedback has been used to control heart rate, blood pressure, muscle spasm and vascular tone in humans since Miller described the outcome of operant conditioning of visceral responses in the rat (Miller 1969, Plumlee 1969, Budzynski et al 1970 Engel andBleecker 1974, Miller andDworkin 1977). Furthermore, biofeedback has been applied as a therapy for various gastro-intestinal disorders, such as reflux oesophagitis, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome and symptoms such as vomiting and regurgitation.…”

Efectos inmediatos de varias técnicas de fisioterapia y recuperación sobre el músculo fatigado

“…Sin embargo, a raíz de los estudios de Miller surgieron numerosos trabajos experimentales que basados en el principio del biofeedback pretendieron demostrar, tanto en animales como en humanos, el control voluntario de diferentes respuestas autónomas. Por ejemplo, los trabajos sobre las contracciones intestinales en ratas (Miller y Banuazizi, 1968), sobre el control de la presión sanguínea en humanos (Shapiro, Tursky, Gershom y Stern, 1969), y en primates (Plumlee, 1969).…”