Effects of biofeedback on muscular tension in selected personality states

The effects of electromyographic biofeedback on three selected personality states from the MMPI and one comparison group were investigated. Forty in-patients (28 males and 12 females) ranging in age from 15 to 52 in a psychiatric hospital were classified as manic, agitated, depressed, or designated as a comparison group, according to their MMPI scores and Gilberstadt and Duker's assessment of personality. Fourteen sessions of electromyographic biofeedback were given each individual. Significant differences in EMG readings were found between the manic group and the the comparison group, the agitated group and the comparison group, and between the agitated group and the depressed group during individual sessions. No significant differences were found when comparing total group means.