What Evidence Is There That It Works? First there is the evidence from innumerable studies on biofeedback where "temperature training has been found to effectively reduce self-reported and physiologically indexed anxiety and is a reliable indication of emotional arousal." (Cole and Milan in Proceedings of the Biofeedback Society of America Twelfth Annual Meeting, 1981, pp. 112-114).The blue color indicating that one is relaxed first appears at a fingertip temperature of 95o F. Thermal biofeedback research has found that this is the criterion temperature indicative of a person being relaxed. This means that if a person can learn to achieve a fingertip temperature of 95o F or higher consistently, he can get rid of most stress-related problems. This includes such stress indicants as frequent headaches, insomnia, stomach problems, fatigue, irritability, etc. The card itself has already achieved no small measure of success. Thousands of stress management professionals now use the Stress Control Card with their clients. Presidents of at least two biofeedback Societies have extolled its value. Dr. Meyer Friedman, co-author of Type A Behavior and Your Heart and number one authority in the field of heart disease and stress has recommended the card to his patients. In the United States alone over three million cards have been sold to industry, schools and health services (including Blue Cross and Blue Shield). Perhaps most impressive of all, the U.S. Navy has ordered over a quarter million of the cards for their world-wide drug and alcohol prevention program. The following are excerpts from the many letters received from various professionals in the helping fields commenting of the value and accuracy of the card:
"I want to let you know how very useful I have found your hand-held, credit card size, biofeedback device. In addition to the self-programmed control techniques from your book, I have been using this card to retrain people suffering from stress-prolonged psycho-physiological illnesses. In addition to excellent results with those with high blood pressure, ulcers, colitis and agoraphobia.. I'm finding equally rewarding responses in the psychological treatment of cancer patients, especially those wanting to use the Simonton method of imagery. It is truly exciting to see the rapidity and convenience with which this little card teaches the users to monitor themselves and initiate stress-reduction techniques without expensive and time-consuming trips to their doctors or biofeedback laboratory. Thank you for developing such a useful addition to the therapist's treatment armamentarium, and one so useful in so many modalities".
Ruth McKinley, Ph.D.; Capper Psychiatric Medical group; Camarillo, CA
"Please accept my appreciation for developing a practical and simple to use method of determining and controlling stress (The Stress Control Handbook & Biofeedback card). I have read many books on the subject and attended many seminars conducted by experts in the field. Your booklet covers the entire field of stress education and also provides easy and effective ways to reduce stress. All of this in only 14 pages! The Biofeedback Card is amazingly accurate. I use it in my work as an industrial nurse to demonstrate to my patients that their stress level can be lowered by practicing these techniques. They are impressed at how much better they feel when they are in the blue. The card is as accurate as some of the Biofeedback machines I have used which cost several hundred dollars. The company where I work is purchasing a card and book for each employee. Thank you for caring enough to devote the time and effort you did to develop this most useful tool".
Norma Christensen, R.N. Lipton Tea Co Wellness Program
"I wish to take this opportunity to express my complete satisfaction with your stress management card, it has been an integral part of our employee stress program. I utilized it in Alliance, Nebraska, when I was Police Chief there and am in the process of incorporating it into a departmental wide wellness program here in Burleson. What I especially like about your card in comparison to others I've seen is the relaxation information located on the back. A person needs nothing more than your card to effectively manage their stress throughout the day. Stress can be easily measured on one side and relaxation excerises can be immediately referred to on the reverse side. Once again I want to emphasize the success I've had utilizing your card. If I can be of any other assistance, do not hesitate to contact me".
Keith M Rippy, Chief of Police, Burleson, TX
"Your biofeedback work was brought to our attention by a health care professional, Joan Berman, a psycho-therapist from Los Angeles. She utilized your Stress Control Cards as a major part of her presentation at our conference. My colleagues and I were extremely excited about using the cards and the results therefrom. It was of enormous interest to all who participated in the conference to see that after the original test which was followed by the simple exercises that you recommend on the card, at least 75% of those tested showed a decrease in tension within a matter of minutes. Many of our Rabbis expressed a desire to being this to the attention of their congregational groups. I for one was excited about having the opportunity of bring your work to the attention of my colleagues".
Rabbi E.M. Tenenbaum, Conf. Chair., The Rabbinical Assembly, Western States.
"I'm excited to share with you the results of the use of your Stress Control Biofeedback Card in my training programs for Navy personnel. The card is a key tool in all the programs because participants learn immediately that they CAN control stress and emotional upset - a key learning in all my programs. Listed below are the (17) Navy organizations for which I have conducted in-house programs. In addition, participants from more than 50 other Navy organizations have attended programs sponsored by the Naval Civilian Personnel Command. The card is making the Navy civilian community more productive and motivated. Keep the cards coming!..."
Lynn A. Lacey, Ph.D., Director Common Visions, Brookdale, CA.
"I find the biofeedback card to be the most cost effective and durable device for providing knowledge of temperature self-regulating capacities. It is an invaluable asset for achieving the relaxation response and positively reinforcing it; motivating practice in physiological self-regulation; controlling symptoms of psychophysiological disorders mediated by stress, sympathetic autonomic arousal and excessive muscle tension such as vascular disorders, and controlling pain. A very important feature of the card is that the person may practice inconspicuously anywhere".
Charles F. Kaiser, PhD. President, Biofeedback Society of South Carolina
Over one billion of these cards have been distributed world wide. Largest users have been: the government and the armed forces; employee assistance, wellness programs; companies wishing to give a valuable promotional gift to their client; professionals in the helping fields; and HMO's such as Kaiser, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and FHP.
