Richard A. Sternbach

Alpha enhancement as a treatment for pain: A case study

Abstract Drawing on past reports of raised pain thresholds of yogis in a meditative state, the high alpha content during meditation, and reports of operant alpha wave conditioning, a hypothesis was formulated that a high alpha state and pain are incompatible behaviors, and thus the production of alpha could be used for symptomatic treatment of pain. A patient, who suffered from severe headaches resulting from head injuries, went through 67 alpha conditioning sessions and increased his alpha activity from 20 per cent time alpha with eyes closed to 92 per cent time alpha with eyes closed and 50 per cent with eyes open. Although the patient was not able to rid himself of pain by achieving a high alpha state, he was in some instances able to prevent pain by going into a high alpha state before the headache began.

Comparative diagnostic judgments from the Rorschach and the MMPI.

Summary Three experienced psychologists made diagnostic judgments from the Rorschach, the MMPI, and gave an overall diagnostic impression for 50 male and 48 female patients. Judgment on the first test viewed was given before looking at the second test. Order of viewing the tests and sex of patient were counterbalanced. The results indicated (a) the judges consistently rated the tests on a given individual as agreeing on diagnostic impression significantly more often than disagreeing; (b) interjudge agreement was low but significant for the MMPI and overall impressions, not significant for the Rorschach impressions; (c) in cases of disagreement, there was a highly significant tendency for the Rorschach to be seen as indicating more pathology than the MMPI.