This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a multimodal biofeedback intervention on autonomic function and sustained attention in female volleyball players.
Optimal performance in elite athletes is shaped by a combination of physical preparedness and psychological readiness, where managing stress and anxiety is as critical as enhancing physical capabilities. Competitive anxiety can disrupt cognitive functioning, attention, and decision-making, affecting athletes' composure and overall performance. Cognitive abilities such as attentional control, mental flexibility, and perceptual-motor coordination are vital during high-pressure moments in sports, especially team sports like volleyball. Emerging approaches in applied sports psychology have started using biofeedback (BFB) to address these psychological and cognitive demands. BFB enables athletes to consciously regulate physiological responses associated with stress, such as heart rate variability (HRV), galvanic skin response (GSR), peripheral temperature (PT), and muscle activity, by providing real-time feedback. These interventions aim to enhance autonomic control, emotional regulation, and ultimately, cognitive performance. Multimodal BFB interventions that simultaneously target several physiological parameters are gaining attention for their potential to support mental readiness and attentional performance in athletes. However, the application of such protocols in team sports remains underexplored. Given the high cognitive demands of volleyball, especially in sustained attention and rapid decision-making under pressure, there is a need to examine whether multimodal BFB can produce meaningful improvements in these areas. This study investigated the effects of a five-week, 15-session multimodal BFB intervention on sustained attention and physiological responses in competitive female volleyball players. It was hypothesized that the intervention would lead to measurable physiological changes-specifically a reduction in GSR and an increase in PT-which in turn would support improved cognitive performance in the form of enhanced sustained attention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
The intervention consists of biofeedback training using the Nexus 10 device, which provides real-time feedback on physiological signals including galvanic skin response and peripheral temperature. Participants undergo sessions where they learn to consciously regulate their autonomic nervous system activity by observing and modifying these signals. This training aims to improve stress regulation and enhance physiological self-control. Unlike other biofeedback interventions, this protocol focuses on combined skin conductance and temperature measures delivered through the Nexus 10 system over multiple sessions.
The control group received no intervention.
Faculty of Sports Sciences
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Attention
Sustained Attention in this study was assessed using the d2 Test of Attention, a standardized paper-and-pencil test designed to measure an individual's ability to maintain focused and selective attention over a continuous period. During the test, participants were required to scan rows of letters and quickly identify and mark the target letter "d" with two dashes, while ignoring similar distracting stimuli. The test evaluates concentration, processing speed, and the ability to sustain attention under time pressure. Performance is quantified by the number of correctly identified targets minus errors, reflecting how effectively the participant can sustain attention and resist distractions throughout the task.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 5 weeks"
Galvanic Skin Response
Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) refers to changes in the skin's electrical conductance, which vary with sweat gland activity and are linked to physiological arousal and emotional states. In this study, GSR was measured as a secondary outcome using biofeedback training with the Nexus 10 device, a system that records real-time skin conductance data through sensors placed on the participant's fingers. This measurement reflects the participant's autonomic nervous system activity, providing insight into stress levels, emotional regulation, and overall physiological responses during the biofeedback sessions.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 5 weeks.
Peripheral Temperature
Peripheral Temperature refers to the temperature of the skin on the extremities, such as fingers or toes, which can indicate changes in blood flow and autonomic nervous system activity. In this study, peripheral temperature was measured as a secondary outcome using the Nexus 10 device during biofeedback training. Sensors placed on the participant's fingers recorded skin temperature continuously, providing information about physiological responses related to relaxation, stress, and circulation.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 5 weeks.
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