Modification of the pigeon's visual startle reaction by the sensory environment.

Seven experiments related amplitude and latency of 20 racing pigeons' startle response, elicited by an intense visual stimulus, to antecedent auditory and visual events in the sensory environment. Data indicate that (a) within broad limits the amplitude of the reflex was a positive function of the intensity of the sensory background prevailing at the time of startle elicitation; (b) a change in the sensory environment occurring 15-2,000 msec prior to the startle-eliciting stimulus inhibited the amplitude of the response; and (c) a change in the sensory environment less than 10 msec prior to the startle-eliciting stimulus reduced the latency of the response. Findings are consistent with previous research on acoustic elicited startle in the rat. The overall configuration of the results suggests that a pathway including the reticulospinal tract and the bulbopontine reticular nuclei could be the major mediator of startle. In these terms, latency-reduction effects would occur because of partial activation of this pathway, amplitude inhibition would occur because of cerebellar influence, and amplitude facilitation would reflect cerebral or striatal influences. (49 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Radionuclide angiography as an adjunct in diagnosis of ruptured aortic aneurysm: case report

Radionuclide angiography is a rapid, safe, and reliable method of imaging aneurysms of the abdominal aorta in patients who are too ill to undergo contrast angiography or when time is a critical factor.     

A study of computer-assisted instruction in industrial training.

To test the feasibility of remote computer-assisted instruction as an industrial training technique, 79 newly hired electronic technicians received their required training in basic data-processing principles through programed texts, the standard method used for this presentation. 25 equivalent students received the same training through a keyboard-operated terminal device linked remotely to an IBM 1440 computer system. No significant differences in examination scores were obtained; however, there was a significant saving (approximately 10%) in the time required to complete the course. On an attitude questionnaire administered subsequent to the courses, both groups rated their respective method of instruction as approximately equal to regular classroom techniques in terms of effectiveness and desirability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training in clinical psychophysiology: Present trends and future goals.

Conducted a survey of directors of programs in clinical psychology that were approved by the American Psychological Association. Data from the 65 responding programs reveal that a substantial number of programs offered formal training in clinical psychophysiology. 69% of the respondents indicated that they currently provide training in clinical psychophysiology, while an additional 17% reported a desire to develop such training in the future. Details are provided regarding (a) types of training available; (b) current and desired content areas covered; and (c) ratings indicating interest, utility, and potential of biofeedback, psychophysiological assessment, and psychophysiological monitoring in therapy. It is concluded that the increased training in clinical psychophysiology is part of a broader trend reflecting the growing interest in the psychobiological foundation of human behavior and its implications for clinical psychology and medicine. Although this trend can be viewed as positive, the current state of research warrants that clinical psychophysiology and the emerging field of behavioral medicine not move too quickly with overoptimistic expectations. The need for quality, research-based clinical training in the area is stressed. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biofeedback as therapy: Some theoretical and practical issues.

Gives examples of the use of biofeedback in individual therapy from basic research on self-regulation of blood pressure and heart rate and from clinical research on essential hypertension and Raynaud's disease. Patient motivation is a critical variable, since its absence may hamper long-term success in therapy, as indicated by case histories. The use of cognitive and somatic mediators as an aid to self-regulation, both with and without feedback, is illustrated. It is concluded that biofeedback, in conjunction with other medical and psychological techniques, may prove effective for a selected group of motivated patients having acute rather than chronic organ damage. A combined behavioral-biological model, emphasizing (a) the natural relations between responses; (b) the exact manner in which the feedback and reward is given; and (c) biological, cognitive, and environmental constraints, is offered as a potential means of predicting whether biofeedback training will be clinically significant for a given patient. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)