BCIA Research & Evidence Base 2

Question 1

HRV biofeedback has the strongest evidence base for which clinical application?

Accepted Answer

Asthma and cardiovascular health/hypertension

Answer

HRV biofeedback has Level 4–5 evidence for reducing blood pressure and improving outcomes in asthma, cardiovascular rehabilitation, and stress-related conditions.

Question 2

The concept of 'resonance frequency' in HRV biofeedback refers to the breathing rate that:

Accepted Answer

Maximizes heart rate oscillation amplitude by synchronizing respiration with baroreflex oscillation

Answer

The resonance frequency (typically 4.5–7 breaths/min) is the individual breathing rate that creates maximum amplitude oscillations in HRV by coupling respiratory sinus arrhythmia with baroreflex sensitivity.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the 'specificity' criterion in AAPB efficacy guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The treatment outperforms credible control conditions in at least two independent research labs

Answer

Specificity requires replication across independent laboratories and demonstrating superiority over credible control or active comparison conditions to rule out nonspecific effects.

Question 4

Thermal biofeedback (hand-warming) has the most established evidence for treating which condition?

Accepted Answer

Migraine headache and Raynaud's phenomenon

Answer

Thermal biofeedback is rated efficacious (Level 4) for both migraine headache and Raynaud's phenomenon, with multiple controlled studies demonstrating benefit.

Question 5

In evaluating biofeedback research, 'internal validity' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The degree to which a study correctly attributes outcomes to the treatment rather than confounds

Answer

Internal validity indicates the confidence with which a study's outcomes can be causally attributed to the experimental treatment rather than extraneous variables.

BCIA - Biofeedback Certification International Alliance Practice Test

BCIA - Biofeedback Certification International Alliance Practice Test

BCIA Research & Evidence Base 2