Enhancement of Health Locus of Control through Biofeedback Training

Abstract

The effects of electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback training in enhancing health locus of control were examined. 21 college students were randomly assigned to either biofeedback (BF) group or control group (C). Subjects given biofeedback received 8 sessions of biofeedback training in 4 wk. Analysis indicated these subjects exhibited a greater reduction of muscle tension than control subjects at post-test. They also maintained their low muscle tension at a 1-mo. follow-up. Subjects who received biofeedback training also showed somewhat more internal health locus of control scores, but the change was not significant until the follow-up session. Mean internal locus of control scores also improved significantly for these subjects. No significant correlation between changes in EMG and health locus of control was found.