Biofeedback ÓAssociation for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback Volume 43, Issue 2, pp. 51–53 www.aapb.org DOI: 10.5298/1081-5937-43.2.08 FROM THE EDITOR Special Issue: Evidence-Based Applications of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback in Sport

General Editor: Donald Moss, PhD, BCB, BCN

Special Issue Editor: Penny Werthner, PhD

The cover of this issue of Biofeedback shows Canadian result of a neurofeedback intervention, to case studies of the Mark de Jonge, K1 200-m bronze medalist at the summer effectiveness of RT training and transcranial random noise 2012 in and World Champion in stimulation (tRNS). 2015 in the sport of CanoeKayak (credit to Jeff Cooke for the photo). Professional Issues Judy Crawford provides a report from the Biofeedback Introduction to the Special Issue: Evidence- Certification International Alliance (BCIA) on the interna- Based Applications of Biofeedback and tionalization of BCIA. Serving the international community Neurofeedback in Sport is a high priority for BCIA. Currently, BCIA has Optimal sport performance is a growing area in biofeedback certificants in 32 countries and affiliate organizations in and neurofeedback practice (Edmonds & Tenebaum, 2012; Australia and Mexico. Crawford discusses the BCIA Board’s Strack, Linden, & Wilson, 2011). Biofeedback, neurofeed- decision not to engage in investigations of ethical com- back, and a variety of related self-regulation skills have plaints against BCIA certificants. The article introduces been applied in ever widening circles with Olympic and guidelines for when the BCIA exams will be translated into professional athletes, as well as younger athletes.. Previous a new language. The article concludes with a discussion of research in sport performance has included relaxation BCIA’s international affiliate program and discussion of training, moderating dysponesis or misplaced effort, exciting developments in . reducing anxious cognitive processes (busy brain), resolv- ing disruptive emotional distress or traumatic memories, Special Issue: Evidence-Based Applications enhancing physiological responsiveness, and reducing of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback in Sport reaction times (RTs; Moss & Wilson, 2012; Wilson, Peper, In the opening article in this special issue, Margaret Dupee & Moss, 2006). More recent efforts have integrated and coauthors report on research investigating the relation- multiple biofeedback and neurofeedback interventions with ship between an individual athlete’s ability to self-regulate general sport psychology skills to eliminate disruptive and his or her world standing. The authors used a cognitive and muscular patterns, enhance performance, and psychophysiological stress profile, monitoring the respiration reduce RT (Beauchamp, Harvey, & Beauchamp, 2012; rate, heart rate, heart rate variability, skin conductance, Blumenstein, Bar-Eli, & Tenenbaum, 2012). Researchers peripheral body temperature, and surface electromyography have also emphasized a variety of interventions dependent (SEMG; trapezius and frontalis) of 15 elite athletes. The on the demands of the particular sport or event (Perry, researchers assigned a numerical rating for self-regulation Shaw, & Zaichkowsky, 2011). based on how well the athlete returned to physiological Penny Werthner, PhD, dean of the Faculty of Kinesi- baselines after a stress trial. The self-regulation scores ology at the University of , served as issue editor correlated significantly with the athlete’s current world Biofeedback for this special issue, which focuses on applications of ranking in a competitive event. The better the overall self- biofeedback and neurofeedback interventions in sport. The regulation ability of the athlete, the better the world ranking. authors in the present special issue present a range of Leslie Sherlin and colleagues report on a study of 16 |

approaches from an examination of the relationship collegiate-level golfers given a neurofeedback-based per- 2015 Summer between self-regulation and performance of Olympic-level formance brain training. The athletes were randomized into athletes, to collegiate golfers improving performance as a two groups and received the intervention in successive

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semesters. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) (HRV) and thermal biofeedback, with ninth-grade students assessments and the QWIKtest continuous performance in a charter school setting. The facilitator taught the test were conducted at baseline, after the fall neurofeedback students elements of the psychophysiology of stress, the training, and after the spring neurofeedback training, each neuropsychology of attention, and the effects of relaxation time generating a neuroperformance assessment. The on mind and body. They learned HRV skills in school with performance brain training integrates computer-based an emWave PCt, learned hand warming with handheld games and uses audio and visual feedback to reward desired thermometers, and practiced relaxation at home with an brain states. Golf statistics were drawn from online audio CD. After 3 weeks, the students showed reductions performance databases maintained by both the men and on the Test Anxiety Quiz. women’s teams. Group 1 showed significant improvements Erik Peper and two coauthors provide a report on a during the semester of the neurofeedback training, with biofeedback and stress reduction intervention for vulvody- increases in greens in regulation, decreases in the putting nia. The 23-year-old woman, who also served as second average, and decreases in the average number of three putts author on the article, developed severe vulvar pain per round. Group 2 showed significant improvements in following a yeast infection. Medical interventions failed to greens in regulation, fairways in regulation, putting provide relief. She suffered chronic pain, a disruption of her average, and average of three putts per round. sexual relationship, and depression. The four-session The difference between success and failure in competitive treatment introduced a psychophysiological model for kayak and canoe events is measured in milliseconds; RTs at vulvar pain and integrated breath training, a guided the start of the event are a crucial component to optimal correction of depressive posture, SEMG biofeedback, and performance. Sommer Christie and Penny Werthner con- self-healing imagery. At 8-month follow up, she reported ducted a case study on a single, 26-year-old male national that she was symptom free much of the time, had resumed team 200-m canoe athlete and a RT training intervention. regular intercourse, and had learned to manage occasional The researchers investigated psychophysiological patterns pelvic area discomfort. associated with the athlete’s best and worst RTs. They conducted a baseline psychophysiological stress assessment, References followed by 10 hours of biofeedback and neurofeedback Beauchamp, M. K., Harvey, R., & Beauchamp, P. (2012). An training and 10 sets of 30 RT trials. Physiological data integrated biofeedback and psychological skills training pro- including electromyography (EMG), respiration rate, ecto- gram for Canadian Olympic short-track speed skating team. dermal response, peripheral body temperature, and QEEG Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 6, 67–84. were recorded simultaneously with RTs in the RT trials. The Blumenstein, B., Bar-Eli, M., & Tenenbaum, G. (2012). Biofeed- authors reported a number of physiological patterns back applications in performance enhancement: Brain and associated with the athlete’s best and worst reaction times. body in sport and exercise. New York: Wiley. Vincenza Tommasi and co-researchers reported a study Edmonds, W. A., & Tenenbaum, G. (Eds.). (2012). Case studies in on a 35-year-old male competitive shooter, using tRNS, applied psychophysiology: Neurofeedback and biofeedback treatments for advances in human performance. West Sussex, which applies low-level electric stimulation to the scalp, to UK: Wiley-Blackwell. modulate cortical excitability of motor areas and enhance Moss, D., & Wilson, V. (2012). Foreword: The use of general shooting performance. The researchers applied stimulation to biofeedback in the pursuit of optimal performance. In W. A. the P4 site (right parietal lobe), according to the EEG 10–20 Edmonds & G. Tenenbaum (Eds.), Case studies in applied system. Previous research suggested that stimulation on the psychophysiology: Neurofeedback and biofeedback treatments parietal lobes (P3/P4) can modulate visuospatial localization. for advances in human performance (pp. 3–16). West Sussex, The athlete performed 40 shots in two sessions, with sham UK: Wiley-Blackwell. stimulation in Session 1 and active tRNS in Session 2. The Perry, F., Shaw, L., & Zaichkowsky, L. (2011). Biofeedback and neurofeedback in sports. Biofeedback, 39(3), 95–100. application of tRNS significantly improved the performance Strack, B., Linden, M., & Wilson, V. (2011). (Eds.), Biofeedback of the participant. Physiological patterns correlated with and neurofeedback applications in sport psychology (pp. 17– tRNS and improved shooting were also reported. 40). Wheat Ridge, CO: Association for Applied Psychophys- iology and Biofeedback. Feature Articles Wilson, V. E., Peper, E., & Moss, D. (2006). ‘‘The Mind Room’’ in Biofeedback Steven Kassell provides a report on a 3-week stress | Italian soccer training: The use of biofeedback and neurofeed- management intervention, including heart rate variability back for optimum performance. Biofeedback, 34(3), 79–81. Summer 2015 52 Donald and Werthner

Donald Moss Penny Werthner Biofeedback | umr2015 Summer

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