Feasibility and Acceptability of a Virtual Single-Session Biofeedback Intervention Targeting Circulation, Heart Rate,...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pain Management
• Digital Health

Background:

• Chronic pain impacts 20% of Americans, with rural populations facing access barriers to treatments like biofeedback.
• Geographic isolation and provider shortages limit evidence-based intervention delivery in rural areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the Mind Meter virtual biofeedback intervention for rural adults with chronic pain.
• To assess the potential of a neuroscience-based, group biofeedback program delivered remotely.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 21 rural adults with chronic pain who completed a single-session virtual Mind Meter group.
• Intervention integrated pain neuroscience education and biofeedback using affordable equipment (pulse oximeters, skin thermometers).
• Feasibility (enrollment, adherence, completion), acceptability (questionnaire), and preliminary effectiveness (pre-post changes in heart rate, temperature, pain, anxiety) were measured.

Main Results:

• Adherence was 100%, exceeding the 80% goal; acceptability was high (90.5% rated ≥4/5).
• Significant pre-post improvements were observed in anxiety (P < 0.001) and temperature (P = 0.003).
• Pain reduction (P = 0.025) lost statistical significance after correction; heart rate showed no change (P = 0.615).

Conclusions:

• Virtual Mind Meter is a feasible and highly acceptable intervention for rural chronic pain patients.
• The program shows promise for reducing anxiety and improving physiological measures like temperature.
• Adjustments to recruitment strategies are needed due to lower-than-expected enrollment, but preliminary outcomes support further development.