BIOFEEDBACK IN A CLINICAL SETTINGIMPLICATION FOR POLYGRAPHY

Biofeedback

What is Biofeedback? Biofeedback is the use technology to identify,

modify and control one’s biology, emotions and thoughts

Types of Biofeedback Neurofeedback (qEEG) Symptom specific (pelvic floor dysfunction, etc.) Autonomic Nervous System activity control Cognitive/Emotional Regulation Polygraph

Advantages of Each

Neurofeedback Requires expensive equipment and extensive

training Target specific neurological deficits Identifies areas of deficit in Brodmann areas Map of areas of low and high activity determine

treatment Under activated areas can be stimulated for

additional activity Areas of over activity are balances by activation

of inhibitory systems

Brodmann Areas

EEG Neurofeedback

Types of Biofeedback

Symptom Specific Treatment Requires expensive equipment and

extensive training Typically carried out in a medical setting Target symptoms that are treatable without

medication Teach clients to self treat outside the

practitioners office Develops independence from regular

medical intervention

Types of Biofeedback

Autonomic Nervous System Activity Uses a variety of equipment (ranging in

price) Treats systemic medical issues Target symptoms that are treatable without

medication Teach clients to self treat outside the

practitioners office Develops independence from regular

medical intervention

Pelvic Floor Feedback

Types of Biofeedback

Cognitive/Emotional Regulation Uses equipment that of varying price

(typically inexpensive) Can be effectively used by practitioners

with very little training Can be used by clients remotely (home,

work, travel) Effectively regulates the body, causing

changes in the internal state

Types of Biofeedback

Polygraph Uses expensive equipment Requires extensive training Only clinical use is to break down denial Should NOT include any type of emotional

management by the client Passive response

Polygraph

UNDERSTANDING THE BODY AND BRAIN

Understanding the Body and Brain

A brain in your hand…

Or just try the clenched fist method Wrist and arm is spinal column, thumb becomes limbic system, and fingers and back of hand become

cerebrum.

The entire system is held together tightly.

The cerebrum, the outer part, is divided up into lobes.

Frontal Lobes Planning, thinking Rational and executive control

center Monitor higher order thinking Direct problem solving “Regulates the excesses of

the emotional system” “Self-Will” area – our

personality – trauma here can cause permanent and dramatic changes in personality.

Time/sequence Spirituality

Courtesy of Drew Caesarwww.about-healing.com

• Limbic - so called “old mammalian brain”– emotions, desires, fight, flight, or freeze

• Includes many parts of the brain – thalamus, hypothalamus, corpus callosum, amygdala, hippocampus, pituitary gland, olfactory nerves.

Courtesy of Drew Caesarwww.about-healing.com

Hippocampus

Hippocampus (Greek for “seahorse” because of shape) Plays significant role in consolidating learning converts

information from working memory to long term storage which may take days or months (think tx. concepts)

checks information from working memory and compares to stored experiences – essential for creating meaning

Damage to it means that memory doesn’t go into long term storage. Some evidence says that it plays a role in remembering facts, objects, and places but not much of a role in recall of long term personal memories (Lieberman, 2005)

Courtesy of Drew Caesarwww.about-healing.com

Amygdala

Amygdala (Greek for “Almond”)Found at the end of the hippocampus Involved in emotions – especially fear and

threat and assessment of threat Connected with organisms survival behaviors,

flight, fight, freeze, mate, eat Some evidence to indicate it attaches emotions to memories tagged for long term storage.

The Lizard Brain

Brain Stem – So called, reptilian brain, resembles the entire brain of reptile

Of the twelve nerves that go to the brain from the body, eleven end in the brain stem. Consists in part of the Medulla oblongata – heart rate, breathing – body temperature, digestion monitored and controlled.

Houses the Reticular Activating System (RAS) responsible for brains alertness

Courtesy of Drew Caesarwww.about-healing.com

CHILL

OUT

FREAK

OUT

Selecting Appropriate Clients Disorders

PTSD Anxiety

General Panic Attacks

Dissociative Disorders

Depressive Disorder NOS

Traumatized Clients Highly aroused Depersonalized Reactive

Substance Abuse Sexual Arousal

Disorder Impulse Control Antisocial / CD

Inappropriate Clients

Don’t Train Biofeedback Previous Use of

Countermeasures Previous

deceptive with denial

Don’t Polygraph Uncontrolled

Anxiety Dissociative Reactive/Victims Clients some

drugs/medication

The Technology

emWave Iom (Wild Divine)

Reading

HRV Looks at the

rhythm of your heart

Emotions change the variability of signals

Goal is to gain Coherence

GSR An indication of

mental activity More thought =

higher perspiration

Less thought = lower perspiration

Perspiration = electrical conductance

emWave Desktop

Fear Reactions

Fear triggers initiate a reaction in the autonomic nervous system including: Hypertension Perspiration Involuntary muscle movement Increase in GSR Increase in rapid breathing

Techniques

Mindfulness Decrease galvanic

skin response Decrease stress

response

Quick Coherence Change in heart

rate variability Decreased

cortisol production

Increases in attention, clarity

Classic Systematic Desensitization

Pendulation

Emersion Use basic

visualization of disturbing content

Illicit negative emotions

Notice sensory stimulation

Stabilization Obtain stable

physiological response

Useful with emWave and Wild Divine

No Nos

Biofeedback should not be used as a mini-polygraph

Don’t give specific questions Do deal with the

big concepts “Let’s talk about

the feelings that come up with family”

POLYGRAPH AND COUNTERMEASURES

Demonstration

Containment Model

Sex Offense Specific Treatment

Polygraph Examiner

Community Members

Sex Offense Specific Treatment

Polygraph Examiner

Community Members

Criminal Justice System

Types of Clinical Polygraphs

Specific Issue Addresses offender denial

Sexual History Disclosure Treatment Planning Risk Prediction

Maintenance / Monitoring

How Does the Polygraph Work?

It activates the “Flight or Fight” response in humans and measures. 1. Heart Rate 2. Certain Respiration Patterns 3. Galvanic Skin Response (the

skin’s resistance to electricity)

4. Blood PressureThese measures are associated

with deception and are not themselves measures of lying.

I can’t control my autonomic nervous system!!

1. Pre-Test Sign release and consent forms Review medical conditions Explain purpose of exam Review equipment Review terminology Develop final questions Calibrate instrument

2. In-Test No trick questions 2-4 relevant questions tucked

inside 10-20 comparison questions

Relevant questions must be specific

Run 3 sets of charts Score and interpret chart

markings (pen tracings)

3. Post Test Conducting an indepth interview

with examinee, giving him/her an opportunity to explain deceptive findings

What

happens

during

an exam?

Use of Polygraph in Offense Specific TreatmentTypes of Polygraph

preconviction specific issue

postconviction specific issue sexual history maintenance

Benefits of Polygraph significantly increases disclosure resolve discrepancy between victim’s and

offender’s statements ascertain limits of abusive behavior deter further acting out more accurate than clinical judgement

You Play A Role In Polygraph Exam Accuracy

“The Offender must believe in the ability of the lie-catcher.”

Ekman, 1995

Examiners are trained to induce detection apprehension.

You, too, can induce detection! Make consequences for not passing

clear. Focus on telling the truth. Make it very clear that YOU believe in

the exam and will act on its results.

Can You Fool the Polygraph?

Countermeasures fall into several categories:

1. Physical-coughing, moving, biting tongue

2. Mental- relaxation techniques

3. Chemical-drugs, deodorant on palms

4. Behavioral-directed toward examiner: stories of woe, demanding specific wording

Examiners are trained to detect and deflect countermeasures.

Summary: Polygraph 101

Polygraph Technology greatly enhances our ability to determine

truthfulness and deception, butthe real focus is developing truthfulness and honesty as life habits. “Passing

the polygraph” is a distractionfrom the real issue: Success is a lifelong commitment to living

without secrets and lies.

English, Jones, in process, 2001

No Use of Biofeedback

Polygraph and emWave

Decreases total amplitude of response of all the physiological reactions

Differences between reactions on the control and the relevant questions were still seen

Polygraph on a client with emWave training is valid

Polygraph and Wild Divine

Slowed breathing (3-4) breaths per 25 seconds is a sign of breathing control

Uncontrolled breathing should be 5-6 breaths per 25 seconds

Blood pressure changes without movement may be a sign of countermeasures.

Using Biofeedback (emWave)

What is this and why does it matter?