Autonomous Biofeedback Therapy via Trance Induction for Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study focuses on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the therapy of some of the pervasive symptoms which interrupt attempts at normal life. Sugarman et al. specifically target hypnosis as the best means to alleviate ASD symptoms.

“Cognitive rigidity manifests by repetitive physical, often inappropriate, behaviors (spinning, twirling, rocking, tapping), narrowed perseverative foci of attention and interests, and resistance to change. This range of behaviors is commonly referred to as “Restrictive Repetitive Behaviors” (RRBs). Sugarman et al. view RRBs as self-induced therapeutic mechanisms that cope with inherent anxiety.

One form of therapy is autonomic biofeedback training. “Biofeedback is well established as a method for improving autonomic control and has been used extensively with children. Most systems translate physiological measurements into audiovisual effects that users can learn to control. Skin conductance, respiratory rate, peripheral skin temperature, and heart rate…In therapy, biofeedback training induces behavioral change by linking operant conditioning with cognitive anchors. In the same way that looking into a mirror causes us to change our facial expression, audiovisual information that changes with a physiological signal compels us to discern and control the direction of that signal.”

Sugarman et al. propose that children and patients with ASD and RRBs engage in autonomic biofeedback training through their RRBs to counteract stress. They theorize that patients may use their experiences with RRBs to modify their reactions: instead of externalizing and showing the physical effects of the RRB, the patient would internalize and only feel the comforting effects of the RRB.

One of the simpler ways to show the patients how to condition themselves is via guided conditioning through hypnosis. “[Sugarman et al.] consider clinical hypnosis an interpersonal interaction that utilizes focused, intensified, and internally-directed concentration…to cultivate change in maladaptive psychophysiological reflexes…It is theorized that this intensified attentional trance state more efficiently and effectively…leads to changes in psychophysiological reflexes by inducing plasticity of neurophysiological interactions.”

Sugarman et al. include a vignette depicting a successful case in which a similar strategy was utilized. If this therapy proves effective generally, then autonomous biofeedback through trance induction could, like the vignette, help thousands of those with ASD overcome typical struggles of daily life.

URL cited: http://www.tandfonline.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu:2048/doi/abs/10.1080/00029157.2013.768197#.UqFmgvRDtiM