The self-control of human peripheral (finger) temperature: An exploration of somatic maneuvers as aids to biofeedback training

Abstract

The present investigation was based on the belief that somatic maneuvers deserve to be treated as independent variables in biofeedback research. Two experiments are reported in which the potency of somatic maneuvers was examined in the biofeedback induced self-control of human peripheral (finger) temperature. In Experiment 1, reliable increases in finger temperature were obtained only under those conditions in which subjects were permitted to engage in muscular maneuvers in addition to response contingent feedback. In Experiment 2, bidirectional changes (increases or decreases) in finger temperature were possible under these conditions. The theoretical and clinical implications of the data are briefly discussed.