Unfortunately, few good books on biofeedback are written for the lay
person.
The following are recommended references for those who wish to follow
biofeedback as a career :
Basmajian, J. (1989). Biofeedback : Principles and Practice for Clinicians (3rd edition). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
Kasman, G., Cram, J., & Wolf, S. (1998). Introduction to Surface Electromyography. Gaithersburg, Maryland: Aspen Publishers, Inc.
Kasman, G., Cram, J. & Wolf, S. (1998). Clinical Applications in Surface Electromyography. Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Gaithersburg, Maryland: Aspen Publishers, Inc.
Schwartz, M. & Andrasik, F. (2003). Biofeedback : A Practitioner's Guide (3rd edition). New York: Guilford Press.
Shellenberger, R., Amar, P., Schneider, C., & Turner, J. (1994). Clinical Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness of Biofeedback Therapy (2nd edition). Published by the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Striefel, S. (2004). Practice Guidelines and Standards for Providers of Biofeedback and Psychophysiological Services. Published by the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Yucha, C. & Gilbert, C. (2004). Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. Published by the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
BIOFEEDBACK JOURNALS
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback produced by the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
(AAPB) and published quarterly. Subscription inquiries may be directed to Subscription Department, Plenum Publishing Corporation, 233 Spring
Street, New York, N.Y. 10013-1578, telephone (212) 620-8468 or620-8470.
The table of contents of this journal can be viewed in the media catalog section of the AAPB web site at http://www.aapb.org
BIOFEEDBACK MAGAZINE
Current and past issues of the magazine Biofeedback , published by the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback for its members, can be viewed at the AAPB web site www.aapb.org. This magazine provides a good overview of current topics and applications in the field of biofeedback.
RECENT RESEARCH ABSTRACTS
Abstracts summarizing recent research in the area of applied psychophysiology and biofeedback are provided in the new research section of the AAPB web site at http://www.aapb.org
BIOFEEDBACK ORGANIZATIONS
The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) is an international society for mind-body research, health care and education. The AAPB holds an annual meeting and conference, offers continuing education programs, produces a newsmagazine for members, and produces an interdisciplinary journal titled Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and other publications which contribute to the theory, practice and evaluation of applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. The AAPB web site address is www.aapb.org or telephone 1-800-477-8892.
AAPB regional chapters meet and provide workshops.
AAPB is planning its next annual meeting and conference for March 7 - 10, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) , formerly the "Biofeedback Certification Institute of America" was formed in 1981 to establish and maintain professional standards for
biofeedback services and to certify qualified professionals who meet these standards. To find a certified biofeedback practitioner, or to
obtain more information about the certification requirements, visit www.bcia.org or contact BCIA by e-mail at bcia@resourcenter.com or telephone (303) 420-2902.
The Biofeedback Foundation of Europe (BFE) was founded in the mid 1990's to promote a greater awareness of biofeedback
among European health professionals and to educate them in the use of biofeedback techniques and technology. The BFE supports a series of
international research projects. For more information about the BFE, visit their web site at www.bfe.org or e-mail them at mail@bfe.org .
The 16th annual International BFE meeting will be held in Rzeszow, Poland from September 11 - 15, 2012. Workshops will be on biofeedback and neurofeedback for health and performance with adults and children. For more information visit www.bfe.org.
FINDING A BIOFEEDBACK PROFESSIONAL IN YOUR AREA
The Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) maintains a registry of certified biofeedback professionals (those meeting the BCIA standards of a high level of competence in the use of biofeedback and self-regulation strategies). Inquire about certified practitioners within your region by contacting them at bcia@resourcenter.com or telephone 303 420-2902. You may also search for the certified practitioners in your city/province/state at their web site www.bcia.org.
The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) has a section on its website for members who provide biofeedback to list their services. (Not all of these providers are BCIA certified.) Visit www.aapb.org.
Always ask about the background, training, competency, and areas of specialty of a biofeedback provider. This is especially important if they are not BCIA certified. Some health care professionals providing biofeedback services are not certified and not listed with BCIA. To find non-BCIA-registered biofeedback providers in your area, ask your physician since some doctors, nurses and psychologists provide biofeedback or refer to professionals who do. Also inquire at local colleges and universities, perhaps beginning in the departments of psychology, psychophysiology, medicine, or health education. Some health or performance clinics offering physiotherapy, chiropractic, pain management, or related services may also provide biofeedback.
A list of all Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) accredited training programs is updated quarterly and may be obtained by contacting BCIA at Suite 304, 10200 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033-2840, telephone 303 420-2902, e-mail at bcia@resourcenter.com , or visit the training programs portion of web site www.bcia.org.
AAPB now offers a Biofeedback Homestudy Program for health professionals training to provide biofeedback services. Contact aapbhomestudy@resourcenter.com or call 303 422-8436 for more information.
Individuals who meet BCIA academic and clinical requirements may apply to write the BCIA biofeedback certification exam. Contact BCIA for further information about certification in biofeedback.
BIOFEEDBACK EQUIPMENT
Some biofeedback manufacturers produce small, portable, and relatively inexpensive biofeedback units suitable for home training.
However, to determine the most suitable biofeedback device and the most appropriate methods of biofeedback training for each individual,
it is important to consult and work with a biofeedback professional.
Biofeedback equipment catalogs are available from such companies as :
BMI in Michigan 1-800-521-4640 www.biofeedbackcentral.com
Futurehealth in Pennsylvania 1-800-338-8873 www.futurehealth.org
STENS Corporation in California 1-800-257-8367
www.stens-biofeedback.com
Thought Technology in Montreal 1-800-361-3651 www.thoughttechnology.com
Hand held GSR biofeedback devices with training cassettes for applying GSR biofeedback to breathing, pain management, exam anxiety, sport performance and other topics are also available from Mind Growth at www.mindgrowth.com.
The emWave (heart rate variability biofeedback system) is available directly from the Heart Math Institute at www.heartmath.org.
It is possible to obtain the Wild Divine biofeedback computer game (heart rate variability and skin conductance biofeedback) from the Wild Divine Project at www.wilddivine.com.
(Let me know other resources that would be good additions to this list by e-mailing me at ksomers@uoguelph.ca .)
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