Rhythm-suggestive compensation and unconscious regulatory mechanisms

Abstract

The article describes a novel method of rhythm-suggestive compensation (RSC) for autonomous psychological support of crews, which takes into account the brain regulatory mechanisms of psychological defense. This method integrates several ways of optimization, such as rhythmic stimulation, binaural drumming, and verbal suggestion. The techniques of RSC are individually specific, taking into account the current features of the functional interaction between the brain’s hemispheres, the personal reaction to suggestive information, and individual psychological defense. Semantic suggestive patterns are modulated according to a certain algorithm and combined with rhythmic sensory stimulation. Therefore, controlled changes in the activities of the brain’s hemispheres and different regions of the brain are combined with an efficacious form of suggestion. The efficiency of RSC was evaluated in two groups of five combatants. The subjects of the first group received compensatory procedures that consisted of a simple combination of rhythmic audiovisual stimulation and verbal suggestion. The efficiency of the procedures was evaluated using the technique for the measurement of brain potentials evoked by emotionally engaging images. The subjects of the second group were treated using the RSC procedure. The RSC showed greater efficiency than rhythmic audiovisual stimulation. It was shown that regular repetition of rhythm-suggestive procedures enables us to optimize the mental state of subjects and form a stable mental set.