Biofeedback training in PhD students’ mental health: A preliminary study

Background: Undertaking a PhD, which is a prestigious career, is however associated with stress-inducing situations. The demands of research and publication, along with other academic requirements, and the complexity of reconciling professional, personal and family activities, require psychophysiological strategies to help students successfully overcome academic challenges. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of a small group of doctoral students who used biofeedback to control anxiety, and to obtain information that will enable the development of a biofeedback-based program for doctoral students, based on a randomized intervention protocol. Methods: The questionnaires Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), were used for evaluation before and after the use of biofeedback. Focus-group, highlight positive perceptions of the use of biofeedback. Results: Highlights students’ opinions to report on the advantages and improvements achieved with the biofeedback experience, as well as to identify the necessary changes to be made in terms of time, duration, and contexts in which the program is carried out. Some implications for the use of biofeedback in reducing psychological distress and promoting the mental health of doctoral students are mentioned. Conclusion: The joint use of biofeedback complemented by processes based on artificial intelligence could contribute to greater effectiveness in promoting the health and well-being of doctoral students. Keywords: Biofeedback, PhD students, Distress, Anxiety, Training.