Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation as Part of Preincident Stress-Management Training within a Model of Comprehensive Crisis Intervention: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential applicability of biofeedback-assisted relaxation training using frontalis EMG as it might be applied as part of a preincident stress-management training program within a model of comprehensive crisis intervention. For 4 consecutive weeks, 37 treatment participants were taught a different relaxation technique followed by six weekly sessions of frontalis EMG biofeedback. The 25 control participants did not receive the relaxation training, but they did attend six weekly sessions of yoked biofeedback training. Compared to the control group, the treatment group evidenced significant reductions in frontalis EMG readings and individual standard-deviation measures from baseline pretest to baseline posttest. These preliminary data support the use of preincident stress-management training as it might be applied to a systematic, multicomponent approach to crisis management. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 3:437–443 (2003)]