Universal Bio-Interface Sample Clinical Usage Scenario for Migraine

[From David Freides]

This note contains a detailed description of the administration technique I use with Jeff Carmen's passive infra-red forehead feedback procedure for migraine. It is addressed to people using Jeff's equipment for migraine. It is presented for information and critique prompted by noticing that "side effects" like a temporary headache have not occurred in my so far limited experience, with four research volunteers, all female, with chronic recurrent migraines over a period of 5 to 40 years. Each has responded positively and successfully to the training regime, an IRB approved research protocol in which they received 8 training sessions at no charge. Per Carmen's innovative procedures and equipment, an infrared sensor is mounted on the forehead with velcro straps while the subject is seated in front of two displays on a table, a combination VCR -TV (with specially programmed remote) directly in front and Carmen's LED display box of the level of infrared emission, to the right. The subject selects her preferred film from a small library including African Queen, Sabrina, Gone with the Wind, Titanic, Casablanca, Harvey, and You Can't Take It With You. Below is my interpretation of Jeff's instructions.

Training technique.

A form is filled in that contains two vertical rows of boxes. On each line, the time is entered in one box and the threshold in the other. Once started, the level of emissions is systematically noted every 5 minutes. If asked what to do, or if emission scores are dropping, subjects are told that "frustration and gritty effort generally makes the emissions go down. To have them go up, you have to sustain a state of relaxed concentration." If needed, subjects will be asked to take deep breaths and relax and they may be instructed in diaphragmatic breathing. There is generally some repetition of emphasis on the sustained part of maintaining relaxed concentration.

If all is going well, the emissions increase in every five minute phase and the thresholds are revised upward. Once the subject demonstrates in the session that she can elevate her emissions reliably, the .5 criterion may be waived (in the example above and threshold for 90.34 might be set at 90.30) usually with some such comment as "I am going to make it tough on you this time." This kind of threshold setting leads to mostly errorless learning and I have the gut feeling that a mostly errorless session with 10-20% time dropping below threshold is an ideal training session..

When emissions fall below threshold and the remote pauses the movie, I immediately interpret this event as a challenge "to see if you can get back up there and not let it go down further". and also suggest that this is a good thing "because it gives your brain a chance to learn in the face of the stress." As a general rule, if emissions are below threshold for five minutes, they are reset downwards, seeking a baseline from which an increase in emission can follow. The danger is that cycles of threshold lowering may follow so one must go low enough to assure the reward of the film viewing to get the subject back on track Sometimes the emission level may plummet but then climb steadily. As long as it is climbing steadily, I am loathe to reset the threshold downwards.Thresholds are entered on the data sheet every five minutes and interruptions because emissions drop below threshold are tallied in each 5 minute period.

Using these methods, training periods have had durations of 45 to 55 minutes with no complaints any sort. There has been no reason to limit initial training sessions to 10-15 minutes.

Pacing

Thanks for articulating your way of working with Jeff's HEG/VCR feedback system. I have done similar work and still wonder about this modality. I was unclear about what you meant by errorless learning as you also suggest that there are many training epochs when the VCR freezes and the Ss gets it going again. It sounds like you are hand setting the threshold on Jeff's minicomputer box. I have done this and also used Biograph but have not mastered how to modify the autothreshold settings. I get results with the default setting but wonder, especially with kids, if I could make it more regression tolerant. One troubling thing I observed early on with pIR HEG is that the pIR readings often seem to go up with time alone after the initial five minute dip. Have you seen this?

I have used HEG some for headache but tend to rely on RSA Breathing and general stress mgmnt more. I noted your suggestions to do diaphragmatic breathing as part of the Ss orienting instructions. I wonder whether Ss start to do RSA/Baro resonant breathing while they are "doing" HEG training or EEG training for that matter. A recent publication observed that 6x breathing typically occurs when people do the Rosary beads and some other devotional activities (Zen Meditation, etc). I wonder how this factor figures in.

I do think that HEG training is a great potential intervention and have used it with a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity patient with good success. I based this work on Hershel Toomin's previous work with MCS. I think it made a big difference. Thanks for sharing your information.

Ed