Effects of RSA feedback on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder symptomatology

Phillip Fourie, Bond University

Article comments

This is an author version of an article submitted to Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling.

Fourie, Phillip (2006) Effects of RSA feedback on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder symptomatology. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling. (in press)

Published by the Australian Academic Press.

Copyright ©2006 Australian Academic Press. All Rights Reserved.

2006 HERDC submission

Abstract

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the Anxiety Disorders, with particularly debilitating effects due to flashbacks and hypervigilance in daily life. Treatments commonly focus upon either pharmacological or psychotherapeutic modalities, but there is often a need to merge both of these approaches so as to deal effectively with the somatic as well as the psychological symptoms of PTSD in particular clients. This case study reports the application of a combined approach, using both client-centered counselling plus biofeedback of respiratory sinus arrhythmia to train the client to control his exaggerated sympathetic nervous system responses. Results indicated that both physiological and psychological measures of PTSD in this client significantly reduced during the seven treatment sessions.