Introducing a Special Issue in Biofeedback Magazine

Abstract

The spring 2022 issue of Biofeedback magazine featured a special issue on evidence-based practice. This summer issue continues the emphasis of that spring issue, featuring book chapters from the upcoming fourth edition of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) book, Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback (Khazan, Shaffer, Moss, Lyle, & Rosenthal, in press).Each of these articles applied the AAPB/International Society for Neuroregulation & Research efficacy standards to an application area for biofeedback and neurofeedback. Complete details of the efficacy standards are available in LaVaque et al. (2002). The efficacy ratings are as follows, based on the credibility of current published research on specific disorders:Lower ratings for an application area may result from poor outcomes in research studies but can also arise from a lack of research studies in emerging areas of biofeedback and neurofeedback treatment.This special issue opens with an article by Zachary M. Mehan, Fredric Shaffer, and Christopher I. Zerr, summarizing the abundant research on both biofeedback and neurofeedback interventions for depression. Based on the evidence for therapeutic benefit, supported by a growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on both biofeedback and neurofeedback, the chapter rates both treatment of depression using biofeedback and neurofeedback as Level 5 (efficacious and specific) for depression.Next, this special issue includes an article by Lauren Christine Frey on neurofeedback treatment for epilepsy. Dr. Frey reviewed one available RCT and several quasi-experimental studies and case studies for several different forms of neurofeedback treatment. She rated sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback and slow cortical potential neurofeedback as Level 4 (efficacious) for seizure reduction. She rated SMR-based neurofeedback as Level 3 (probably efficacious) for nonseizure manifestations of epilepsy. She rated two more recently emergent forms of neurofeedback, LORETA Z-score neurofeedback and connectivity-based training protocols, as Level 1 (not empirically supported) for both seizure and nonseizure manifestations of epilepsy.This issue also includes a book review by Patrick Steffen of the fourth edition of a classic book on stress management. Paul M. Lehrer and Robert L. Woolfolk (2021) have produced an outstanding update for the encyclopedic text, Principles and Practice of Stress Management. Lehrer and Woolfolk are major leaders in the field of stress management. Their text Principles and Practice of Stress Management has long provided the most comprehensive and research-informed resource for understanding stress and stress management. The fourth edition updates the scientific research and introduces new topics.