Biofeedback training of relaxation: The effects of false feedback and the influence of suggestibility

The effect of contingent and non-contingent (false) biofeedback upon heart rate (HR) and subjective reports of relaxation was investigated, and the role played by suggestibility as an individual difference was examined. There were four experimental groups. One received true contingent HR biofeedback and another received no feedback at all. There were also two non-contingent groups. One received false information suggesting that HR was going down and one group received information suggesting that HR was going up. Ss' level of suggestibility was also assessed. Comparisons between the feedback conditions and the no feedback group confirmed the efficacy of biofeedback in relation to the reduction of HR. However, non-contingent feedback was found to be as effective as contingent feedback in HR reduction. Suggestibility as an individual difference was not found to be related to HR reduction but did play a complex role in the subjective report of relaxation. Results are discussed emphasising the non-specific component of the biofeedback paradigm and thus questioning the operant-conditioning model.