The Application of Biofeedback Training to High Achieving and Underachieving High School Students

Abstract

This study examined the effects of biofeedback training on anxiety and academic underachievement in 80 high school students. Subjects were randomly selected, using a predetermined criteria identifying potential participants as academic 'achievers' or 'underachievers,' and assigned to treatment (n=40) or non-treatment control (n=40) groups. Treatment consisted of seven sessions of biofeedback training, spaced one week apart. Results indicated no significant differences between achievers and underachievers on pre-test measures of anxiety. The underachiever experimental group did not demonstrate a significant increase in Grade Point Average over the control group. Analysis of covariance results indicated that biofeedback training resulted in significant decreases (p<.05) in anxiety for experimental groups, particularly the academic achievers. The conclusion was that biofeedback training facilitated anxiety reduction, however there was little measurable effect on academic performance among underachievers. Biofeedback training appeared to have the most significant effect on reducing anxiety among academic achievers.