If you are a PT who sometimes uses Biofeedback Instruments
as one of the "modalities" in your arsenal, I would like to
urge you to read this announcement.
After being out of print for several years, the historic
1986 monograph "From the Ghost in the Box to Successful
Biofeedback Training" has just been republished -- with a
twist!
"Ghost" was a pivotal publication in the re-conceptualization
of Biofeedback principles and therapeutic techniques that
occurred in the last part of the 1980s. Prior to "Ghost",
many researchers had tried to use drug research models to
study the effectiveness of biofeedback -- with confusing
results. Authors Shellenberger and Green point out that
there are several underlying mistakes involved with this
approach. The most significant is the concept that there
is an active "agent", ingredient, or "Ghost" inside the
biofeedback instrument's "Box", that "does something to"
the attached patient.
In the case of, say, electrical stimulation, ultrasound,
hot packs, or countless other PT methods, that assumption
is "true". But there is no agent or "ghost" inside the
Biofeedback Box, and that calls for an entirely different
orientation in our thinking. That's what "Ghost" is all
about. (see below)
The "Twist" is that "Ghost" is now being published as
"shareware". As best I know, this is the first time that
a book, as opposed to computer software, has been published
on the "honor system". Here's the deal; if you read all or
any part of the book (by downloading and saving or printing
it), and *if* you allow it to influence your thinking about
biofeedback, you are asked to register your copy and send
a modest US$5 to the authors (a form is provided). That's
a bargain, since it has been out of print for years, and the
original sold widely for US$9.95!
The URL is <http://www.incontinet.com/ghost.htm>
So far, The Introduction and Chapters 1 through 4 have now been
posted on our website, "Incontinence on the Internet".
InContiNet is publishing "Ghost" without charge and without
receiving any reward except your good will. Scanning,
converting, correcting, and formatting now appear to take
in excess of 100 man-hours, but we think it's worth it. So
far 60% of the text (Chapters 0-5) have been uploaded. The
remaining chapters, lacking complex tables that had to be
hand-assembled, should be available in a couple of days.
The excerpt below highlights the difference between good
clinical practice and the "traditional (drug-model) research"
methods. Comments are invited, of course.
==========excerpt from "The Ghost in the Box"===================
The elements of clinical practice are in strong contrast to
traditional research. Unlike "official doctrine" research training,
applied clinical biofeedback training includes:
(1) A clinician trained in individual assessment.
(2) A clinician trained to effectively interact with patients.
Research studies use technicians, graduate students, or research
psychologists with minimal interpersonal skills. In addition, research
designs often eliminate interaction between trainer and trainee and
create impersonal environments.
(3) A certified or licensed clinician. Clinicians are required to
demonstrate therapeutic and biofeedback training skills. Researchers
are not certified, nor do they need to demonstrate knowledge of
biofeedback training and therapy.
(4) A clinician who can creatively design unique training programs for
each patient. Research studies have continually failed to design
unique training programs for individuals. A standard training protocol
is used with all subjects.
(5) A multicomponent procedure that maximizes treatment for each
individual. Official doctrine research dilutes treatment effectiveness
by using simplistic training procedures and a single biofeedback
component.
(6) A flexible protocol. Clinicians are able to adapt training pro-
cedures to life changes of their patients. Research studies follow a
set training procedure throughout the study.
(7) Goals of stress management and enhancing the quality of life.
Clinicians focus on symptom reduction, prevention, stress management
and enhanced quality of life. Researchers do not focus on broad
effects such as "enhanced quality of life" and are not necessarily
"invested" in symptom reduction, if it is not a specific effect of the
independent variable. The use of double-blind design is an example.
(8) A mastery model of biofeedback training.
========end of quotation=========
Best wishes,
John D. Perry, PhD
Webmaster - IncontiNet.com
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