The BFE supports the training of licensed and certified professionals to establish multidisciplinary teams of clinicians and researchers. These teams collect data in pilot studies, or International Research and Education Projects (IREP) around the world.

For more information, please download the IREP Team Guide and its companion presentation. If you have any further questions, or wish to join an IREP Team, please contact irepteams@bfe.org.

Please download the
- IREP Teams (Presentation)
- IREP Team Guide (PDF)

 ADD/ADHD

Neurofeedback Training in Children with ADHD

The goal of this research project is to verify the impact of neurofeedback training in ADHD kids on their attention and motor control skills, as well as the brain activity associated to these functions.

 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The proposed research anticipates the collection of 3 types of data from participants who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and from parent(s) of those participants. The three types of data are baseline Electroencephalography (EEG), baseline Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and family contact patterns using a 3-generation family genogram as the interview tool.

 Continence

Efficacy of Biofeedback to Treat UI in Women (Wake Women’s Project) and Effectiveness of Self-Monitoring to Treat UI in Women (Nash Women’s Project)

This is the first study to include a self-monitoring phase before randomization into the clinical trail of biofeedback to treat UI.  Initially subjects will be randomized into a 3-week waiting period followed by 3 weeks of self-monitoring or self-monitoring only.  If, after self-monitoring, subjects no longer meet the clinical trial criterion for urine loss they will be followed for one year to determine if the improvement can be maintained.

Physiological Dentistry Research

In this study, data from 10 subjects was recorded at three different clinics in the United States that specialize in the design and insertion of oral appliances (orthotics) to treat bruxism, craniofacial pain, sleep apnea and sleep disordered breathing.

Outcomes of Rehabilitation Programming for Neurogenic Dysphagia: A Controlled Trial

The proposed research project in the United States is part of a multi-national effort, designed to evaluate the efficacy of therapy for chronic dysphagia secondary to stroke.  Specifically, the benefits of accelerated treatment and of biofeedback will be explored.  Previous case-series studies of accelerated treatment using biofeedback have documented encouraging results.  This project is a phase 3 randomized clinical trial study.

The Role of the Cerebral Cortex in the Coordination of Breathing and Swallowing in Adults 

The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the neural control of swallowing, specifically the coordination of breathing and swallowing. This research hypothesizes that conscious cortical input (i.e. input from the cerebral cortex) is involved in this coordination.

The Impact of EMG Biofeedback-Guided Effortful Swallows and Mendelsohn Maneuvers on Neurogenic Dysphagia Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study 

Surface electromyography (sEMG) can be used to provide feedback regarding the performance of various exercises used in swallowing therapy. To date, this technique has been reported to aid the recovery of swallowing function in patients with chronic swallowing difficulties following stroke. Its use at earlier points in stroke recovery and in recovery from acquired brain injury has not been explored. In this study, clinicians will be trained to use the equipment following a specific protocol and will apply this protocol to a small series of consenting patients with recent onset swallowing difficulties (within 6 months) following a stroke or acquired brain injury. Participants will receive 10-20 sessions of therapy in which the Effortful Swallow and Mendelsohn Maneuver will be practiced using surface EMG biofeedback. It is expected that participating patients will show positive treatment outcomes on a standardized videofluoroscopic swallowing study performed after 10 sessions and 20 sessions of treatment. Results from this pilot study will be used to inform the design of future clinical trial studies of this technique.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Dr. Dobbin and Sheila Ross have been using the Infiniti software for HRV biofeedback since February 2004, when they attended the 9th BFE Conference in Winterthur, Switzerland. They are working with Professor M Ford of Edinburgh and have started a clinical trial comparing the use of hypnotherapy with HRV biofeedback.

 Lower Urogenital, Gastrointestinal, Sexual, & Pain Dysfunction

Pelvic Floor Pain and Surface Electromyography (SEMG)

The proposed research project is a multi-national effort, designed to develop a pelvic floor muscle surface electromyographic database to be used in the differential diagnosis of essential vulvar disorders.  Previous research using SEMG biofeedback have documented encouraging results. 

Pelvic Floor Electromyography in Men with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: a case-control study

This study examined whether men with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS), compared with pain-free men, showed differences in surface electromyography (sEMG)/Biofeedback (BFB) readings of pelvic floor muscles. This study found that CPPS patients have more unstable, uncoordinated and hypertonic pelvic floor muscles as compared with controls.

Driver Stress Research

Thought Technology's FlexComp Infiniti system is used for the acquisition of physiological data from drivers.

Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Self Regulation Pilot Study

This study replicates and investigates self-regulation strategies to reduce frequency and intensity of hot flashes and to offer women a non-invasive, non-harmful alternative for the self-management of menopausal symptoms. At the completion of training sessions, subjects reported a reduction in frequency of hot flashes, intensity and discomfort.