Biofeedback

Question	Answer
What was the aim of the biofeedback lab?	To test the extent of conscious control a subject could have over their autonomic nervous system (as with the Galvanic skin response), by seeing if they could control their heart rate by thinking about it.
What equipment was involved in the biofeedback lab to gather data?	A pulse plethysmograph was attached to the index finger of the subject's non-dominant hand and attached to the Powerlab.
Which nervous divisions is heart rate controlled by? Where does the coordination come from?	The sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. Coordination occurs in the hypothalamus.
Give a theoretical idea as to why controlling heart rate through conscious effort could be clinically significant.	Clinically, this is interesting as being able to control one’s heart rate could prevent excessive damage and stiffening from occurring to the arteries, and help minimise the risk of arteriostenosis, and cardiovascular disease. Further, it could be used therapeutically in events such as anxiety attacks.

Resource summary

	Created by sophietevans over 10 years ago