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Psychophysiology and BCIA Preparatory Course Course Syllabus Widener University Celeste De Bease, PhD, BCIAC, Instructor This is an online biofeedback training course for preparation for the BCIA (Biofeedback Certification Institute of America) certification Exam. This biofeedback training course is designed to help acquire the knowledge in the field of psychophysiology and to obtain the necessary didactic information for certification in general biofeedback. Course Objectives To acquire the knowledge of the field of psychophysiology and to obtain the necessary didactic information for certification in general biofeedback. To provide students with knowledge of the psychophysiological mechanisms that influence, shape and impact the mind and body. To ensure students are knowledgeable of the theoretical concepts, both foundational and current, which have formed the general body of knowledge concerning mind-body interactions and their impact on disease process. Required Materials Course Text: Schwartz, M. & Andrasik, F., 3rd ed. (2003). Biofeedback - A Practitioner's Guide, Guilford, New York. Course Educational CD: Biofeedback Tutor; Dr. Fred Shaffer, 2006 Biosource Software. Additional internet-based readings (listed in the syllabus below) You must have Flash Player to view the course material. It can be downloaded without charge at Adobe under Downloads. Lecture 1 - Orientation and Overview Psychophysiological Paradigms Theoretical concepts: history of biofeedback & forces leading to its emergence Operant conditioning of physiological processes: from Skinner to Miller Classical conditioning of physiological processes: PNI The Stress-Disease Model We will examine an overview of the mind's complex processes and gain some perspective on the massive body of knowledge that surrounds the topic of how the mind and body interact in the areas of wellness and disease. Readings: Schwartz: 1, 2, 3; Shaffer: History, Concepts Selected web readings: What Kinds of Problems Can Biofeedback Help? Lecture 2 - Stress, Coping and Illness The central and peripheral nervous systems The autonomic nervous system and its innervations of skeletal, cardio, GI and respiratory systems The Stress Response: Acute/Chronic; Canon, Selye The Relaxation Response: Benson Dysfunction caused by hyperarousal of autonomic responses Overview of psychophysiological remedies: why and how they work Readings: Schwartz chapter 34; Shaffer: Psychophysiology Lecture 3 - Psychophysiological Recording Biofeedback and essential electronic terms/concepts Working with the equipment: attaching temperature probe & SEMG sensors: frontal, trapezius, masseter muscles Working with the signal: means, standard deviations, artifact and assessments Essential electronic terms and concepts for biofeedback applications Working with the patient: patient orientation and preparation Readings: Schwartz chapter 4, Shaffer: Electricity Lecture 4 - SEMG Applications - Psychophysiological Function & Pathology: Skeletal Muscle System Dysfunction of the skeletal system: tension headache, TMJ, chronic pain, CNS injuries Muscle anatomy and physiology: overview Psychophysiological recordings: SEMG biofeedback - surface Electromyography SEMG biofeedback sensors and sensor placements Assessment of muscular tension; co-contraction and dysponesis Readings: Schwartz chapters 14, 15, 22 and 23; Shaffer: Anatomy: Skeletal Muscles; Clinical:Musculoskelatal Selected web readings: EMG: Bruxism/TMJ and EMG or Electromyography Important Factors in Surface EMG Measurement , Dr. Scott Day Lecture 5 - ANS Applications - Intake and PSPs Psychophysiological Profiling - the diagnostic intake assessment Differential diagnostics is an all-important skill for the development of cohesive treatment plans. The PSP is THE most important diagnostic tool for the psychophysiologist. Conducting a PSP, Interpreting a PSP, Using other diagnostic tools to complement and supplement the PSP Readings: Schwartz chapters 6 and 7 Psychophysiological Stress Profiling (PSP) Copyright 1995 Rob Kall Lecture 6 - ANS Applications - Thermal Biofeedback - Psychophysiological Function & Pathology Vascular System Dysfunction of the Vascular system: Raynauds, migraine, hypertension, neuropathies & diabetes Peripheral Temperature biofeedback Assessment of vasoconstriction patterns Readings: Schwartz chapters 16, 17 and 32; Shaffer: Anatomy: Cardiovascular and Clinical: Cardiovascular Selected web readings: Hand Warming Explanation Lecture 7 - ANS Applications - Cardiovascular & Respiration - Psychophysiological Function & Pathology Respiratory Systems Respiratory Psychophysiology Breathe patterns and their meaning Assessment of respiratory patterns Introduction to RSA-biofeedback: Heart Rate Variability and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Readings: Schwartz chapters 10 and 11; Shaffer: Anatomy: Respiration and Clinical: Respiration Selected web readings: What is Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA)? Lecture 8 - ANS Applications - Electrodermal Activity - Psychophysiological Function & Pathology Somatic Anxiety Electrodermal Activity Comparison of somatic anxiety and emotional / cognitive anxiety Skin Conductance Activity (SCA) or GSR biofeedback (Galvanic Skin Response) Assessments of GSR patterns Readings: Shaffer: Anatomy: Electrodermal Selected web readings: GSR or Galvanic Skin Response and Peak Performance Training with Electrodermal Biofeedback 1 Lecture 9 - EEG Applications Introduction to EEG-biofeedback - Basic Neurophysiology & Anatomy Clinical use and efficacy of EEG biofeedback in the treatment of ADD/HD, epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, affective disorders, MTBI, substance abuse Cognition and the Brain: The basic neural substrates that impact cognition Assessments of brain pathologies: Neuropsychological testing, PET scans, lesion studies, EEGs and QEEGs Where disorders live in the brain: The Limbic System, Basal Ganglia, PFC, Cingulate, and Temporal Lobes Readings: Schwartz chapters 18 and 19; Shaffer: Anatomy: EEG and Clinical: EEG Selected web readings: ADD / ADHD - Neurobiofeedback and ADD / ADHD Lecture 10 - Adjunctive Interventions and Professional Conduct Clinician responsibility and competence Record keeping in psychophysiology Readings: Schwartz chapters 36 and 37;Shaffer: Adjunctive Interventions and Ethics Selected web readings: Ethical Principles of Biofeedback: BCIA publication