LEARNED CONTROL OF SKIN TEMPERATURE - EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING

Two studies assessed the extent to which learned control over finger temperature could be developed. In Experiment I subjects received a short-term (five-session) biofeedback training regimen to decrease or increase temperature. Analyses of temperature data for the training periods revealed highly significant between-group differences. Subjects in the Increase condition displayed increases of up to 2.5°F, while subjects in the Decrease condition displayed decreases of up to 2.9°F. Ability to produce the required changes in temperature was found to improve as a function of training. Experiment II evaluated the effect of longer term training to increase temperature (20 sessions). Significant within-session increases in finger temperature were obtained after 3 days of training. There was no significant improvement in temperature control with further training, however. These studies indicate that voluntary control over digital temperature can be established, but that the magnitude of temperature changes is small even with extended feedback training. © 1979 Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy.