Biofeedback: running on the spot or stepping forward? (instead of a preface).

Trigger photo stimulation (TPS), based on synchronization of flashes of light with events in a brain, for example, with waves of alpha activity EEG, is widely known as a methodical approach for studying of mechanisms of a brain and also as a method of neurologic diagnostics. In the present work TPS has been used for the first time as an element of the brain — computer interface (BCI) where the start of light flashes determined by crossing of definite level by amplitude of EEG alpha-waves. It has been shown that specific reorganizations of alpha-waves time distribution during BCI-training. It testifies that brain develops a new control path by means of EEG alpha-patterns.

The mechanisms of reorganization of motor systems at the poststroke patients after rehabilitation were studied using the method functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). At patients after standard rehabilitation therapy, irrespective of localization of stroke, the increase in intensity of the basic activity zones in sensomotor areas and in the field of a hemisphere of a cerebellum as for paretic, so for a healthy hand was revealed. At patients after EMG biofeedback training of the precision grip the reorganization of functional motor system consists in more significant increase of intensity of activation of the basic zones only in lesioned hemisphere; expressiveness of these changes did not depend on localization of stroke. The degree of restoration of movements of hand after EMG biofeedback training was authentically above, than after a course of standard rehabilitation therapy. Thus, fMRI and the clinical analysis have shown that EMG biofeedback training of the precision grip have the goal-directed and effective influence upon processes of functional reorganization of motor systems.

In this paper we discuss the results of the second stage of the network rehabilitation based on the mechanisms of selfregulation which are activated by using of electromyography biofeedback. The data on the efficiency of the use of biofeedback technology in treatment of periphery paresis and spinal injuries at home are given.

The dynamics of the segment characteristics of alpha-rhythm and their correlation with the «behaviour» of dipole sources of alpha-band in relation to beta-stimulating neurofeedback in schoolchildren with ADHD syndrome were analyzed. Effective training results in forming of neuronal groups in alpha-band which correlate to the new dipole sources. Possible place of alpha-generating system in the mechanisms of effective neurobiofeedback is discussed.

Determinants of quality of life (QoL) in primary headaches remain unclear. We studied QoL in 107 patients (50 migraine patients, 57 tension-type headache — TTH-patients) and 10 healthy subjects. QoL in headache patients was reduced and strongly correlated with passive coping strategies preference, levels of anxiety and depression. In migraine QoL depended on duration of the disease, intensity of pain and MIDAS score. In TTH no clinical features of the disease influenced QoL. Biofeedback showed high effectiveness in primary headaches which depended on coping strategies of patients.

The paper describes the possibility of the increase of treatment efficiency in case of dorsopathy with chronic pain syndrome using the applied kinesiology combined with multi-parameter biofeedback.

Chronic tension headache is the most commonly experienced headache. Low effectiveness of its treatment is connected with lack of understanding of this disorder pathogenensis. It was shown that electromyographic-temperature training provoked modification of alpha-wave power and frequency: power of alpha increased, frequency of maximal increased as well.

This paper is dedicated to multifactor evaluation of heroin addicts identity and its modification during neurofeedback (alphastimulating training). It was found that alpha-stimulating training induced specific changes in identity concerned self-perception and future planning. Modification of real identity during neurofeedback courses was investigated. It was shown potential of neurofeedback in the treatment of addictions.

The structure of statistical interaction of EEG wave components of persons with disturbing-phobia frustration was investigated in the course of adaptive biofeedback by brain potentials. The features of brain intercentral relations and their reorganisation were estimated in the process of correction of a psychophysiological condition by the biofeedback of brain potentials.

The study results of using the biological reverse connection training with the musical therapy in the rehabilitation of the patients with the chronic mercury intoxication are represented in this paper. The positive effect of the BRC-training on processes concentration of retention, some subscales of the life quality, the functional state of the central afferent conducting structures as well as the neurophysiologic balance of the bioelectrical brain activity have been indicated.

There was a clinical efficiency analysis with combination of physio and reflexotherapy methods and apparatus biocontrol in a complex approach of recover correction of vegetative disfunctions among military people at the age from 22 to 55. Control of apparatus biocontrol course efficiency followed on dynamic of clinical symptoms, electrocardiogram indexes, general and biochemical blood analysis, reflex diagnostics data according to the methodic of vegetative resonant testing and questionnaires characterizing condition of psycho emotional sphere (SAN, test of Spilberg—Khanin).

There was a determination of general non specific adaptation reaction with using Garkavi—Kvakina—Ukolova index. Rehabilitation results of the patients who got BOS therapy proved its efficiency.

Examining 37 sportsmen with the predominant activity of sympathetic unit of the vegetative nervous system, we detected the switch of bloodstream regulation control to the higher vegetative centers. We showed the effectiveness of the transcranial electrostimulation and gaming biofeedback methods for complex correction of vegetative status disorders.

The purpose of this study — to explore psychophysiological mechanisms to respond in a stressful situation. We used the methods of psycho-diagnostics, and specially designed protocols psychophysiological testing. The study was conducted on a group of cadets of the military university, candidates for the combined team on the tactical and technical decathlon. The study identified prognostic group of successful and unsuccessful athletes and describes the characteristic for each group of physiological patterns.

The changes of the functional condition of the 35 highly qualified sportsmen, neurodynamic and its changes of the frequency characteristic of the heart rate in the background recording during open and closed eyes before and after 15-days neurobiofeedback course is analyzed. It is discovered, that the functional left hemisphere asymmetry was typical for sportsmen having the quiet wakefulness condition according the power of all main rhythms of the EEG. It is defined, that the predictor of the training efficiency is the theta-rhythm power in the recording during open eyes. The VLF-wave and the HF-wave middle power of the heart rate frequency and probably the hormonal cycle of women body have the material effect to training success.

The EEG analysis of the 26 highly qualified sportsmen shows, that the brain bioelectricity activity is changed by the neurobiofeedback. It relates with the alpha-rhythm and with the greatest neurodynamic changings in the right hemisphere. The after training EEG changings have the sex differences. Everything fields of the right hemisphere and the temporal-occipital field of the left hemisphere of the sportsmen-male and the forward-temporal of left hemisphere and the central-occipital field of both hemispheres of the sportswomen work during the neurodynamic changing.

In this article there is comparative analysis of cerebrum biopotentials of sportsmen in different periods after the end of neurofeedback course. It was revealed the character of late effects has depended on success of the training and period it’s end. For sportsmen studying increase the alpha-rhythm power arbitrarily it is typical: the alpha-rhythm power of both hemispheres increased strait a way after training with closed eyes and during 3 months with opened eyes which in a year was being slow decreased. The values of β- and θ-rhythms were slow decreased in 6—12 months. For sportsmen how were held training unsuccessfully it is typical increasing of alpha-rhythm power in a year, which didn’t depend on decreasing of visual afferentation. The changings of θ-rhythm had wavy character, the β-rhythm power was being decreased.

With the aim to compare the impact of usual training and training with the use of biofeedback, the psychometric and electrophysiological features of 36 musical students were investigated. Two month biofeedback training caused increase in self actualization, improving the musical performance score, decrease state and trait anxiety, increase of the individual adjusted alpha-2 indices, but theta-, alpha-1 and beta- activities did not change. Optimal psychomotor reaction for usual self practice (enhancement in alphaactivity and decrease in muscle tension) was achieved during biofeedback training. Training efficiency depended on the baseline electropsysiological features of optimal functioning: peak frequency, band width, power and coherence in individual alpha range, reaction activation. It was concluded that upper alpha stimulating and EMG decreasing biofeedback training leads to development of optimal psychomotor behavioral strategy.

It is important to define the creativity psychophysiologic traits and their modification possibility for biofeedback creativity training. It was shown earlier that creativity is connected with alpha-rhythm indices (individual alpha-peak frequency, individual alpha band width, spindle span time and variability). This study aim was to explore psychophysiologic creativity indicators modification possibility. For this purpose age and gender factors influence on creativity indicators and electroencephalographic alpha activity indices were studied. The creativity was measured with Torrance Test then encephalogram was recorded. It was shown that individual alpha activity indices and nonverbal creativity level increase simultaneously with age. Total Torrance coefficient depends on individual alpha band width in males and alpha amplitude variability in females. Fluency correlates positively with individual alpha peak frequency in males and negatively with individual alpha activity suppression in females. Flexibility and Originality depend on individual alpha band width in both gender groups and may be possibly modified with biofeedback training.

The paper presents the results of the use of the computer game-based biofeedback in the process of adaptation to the school learning. We conducted health-improving development lessons in several groups of junior schoolchildren. Analysis of the results showed high efficiency of the use of computer biofeedback at school. 3 types of children’s behavior during the lessons were described; one of them might be related to the risk group of ADHD syndrome.

The peculiarities of correction of psycho-emotional stress among primary schoolchildren with special educational needs with the use of biofeedback on the basis of statistic analysis of the heart rate are presented. The methodology developed by the authors is realized in the hardware-software complex «Boston». Results of the conducted research have shown that the use of BOS-training leads to definite reduction of psycho-emotional stress as well as to improvement of activity indicators among children with special educational needs.

The paper presents the research of work on dynamic autonomic nervous system, anxiety and attention parameters with temperament characteristics — emotionality and activity in self-regulation training by game biofeedback. There are instructional advices of biofeedback training with temperament of patients.

In this paper we present the results of the study of the characteristics of self-regulation skills development using game biofeedback, and psychological predictors of these skills’ mastering in the course of biofeedback training. Analysis of the psychological characteristics associated with/ restraining the learning of self-regulation during training is given. It was shown that the training based on computer biofeedback allows modifying self-regulation profiles of the subjects towards more effective ones. The steadiness of the skills was confirmed.

In this paper we described psycho-physiological characteristics of the groups with different extent of the intensity of selfregulation skills under stress modelled by game biofeedback technology. We compared them with the stress-resistance evaluation from the model of operators' performance under conditions of limited time. The relation between the effectiveness of the performance during game biofeedback and stress resistance was shown. The new method of the evaluation of this key characteristic of hazardous occupation was suggested.

It was shown on awake cats that activity of dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmentum was significantly increased during EEG biofeedback sessions directed on increasing of occipital area alpha- and teta-rhythms spectral powers (SP) relation or sessions wich were directed on increasing of frontal area beta- and teta-rhythms SP relation.

The structure of individual variation in waking EEG was elaborated in 130 sleep deprived subjects. Its quantitative relationship with chronotype (morning and evening lateness), somnotype (daytime and anytime sleepability) and trototype (daytime and anytime wakeability) was described. The findings indicate that individual vulnerability of wakeability to sleep loss can serve as a quantitative predictor using the structures of waking EEG at daytime and during sleep deprivation.

The paper demonstrates high effectiveness of treatment of ambliopia based on the electro-encephalographic training on the alpha-rhythm amplitude combined with traditional functional treatment methods. The results of the use of the multichannel complex Boslab-Zrenije in treatment of strabismus (heterotropia), various types of astigmatism, far-sightedness, anisometropia, binocular eyesight disorders, and nystagmus are discussed. The method appeared to be specially effective in treatment of ambliopia, complicated by impaired (non-foveolar) fixation.

The paper describes the clinical effects of the 9-months course of biofeedback-based treatment of a patient with tetraparesis. As a result of treatment a significant improvement of the conditions was registered.