After our posting the study about how the practice of mindfulness meditation can improve working memory, we got this charming  inquiry from someone who felt her brain was turning to mush at her stressful job:

Researchers from the Department of Mental Health at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego compared the effectiveness of Exposure Therapy (ET) to Virtual Reality (VR) in the treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress in theater at Camp Fallujah in Iraq.

This case series documents the first use of VR-based therapy in the treatment of PTSD in a combat theater.  Results of therapy are being reported from a mental health clinic in Camp Fallujah, Iraq.

Combat PTSD constituted a relatively small percentage of overall mental health patients seen. Those who did present with PTSD were offered either VR-based ET or traditional ET.  

Researchers from Brainclinics Diagnostics in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, conducted a meta-analysis of the efficacy of neurofeedback on ADHD.

Both prospective controlled studies and studies employing a pre- and post-design found large effect sizes for neurofeedback on impulsivity and inattention and a medium impact on hyperactivity.

Randomized studies demonstrated a lower effect size for hyperactivity, suggesting that hyperactivity is probably more sensitive to nonspecific treatment factors.

Question:
 
I am currently in therapy and have been working on issues related to past childhood sexual abuse. Do you have any CDs that you narrate to address positive sexuality, relaxation during partner sex, and/or any CDs that address sexual and emotional intimacy? If you don't personally narrate any - do you have recommendations as to what might be a good imagery CD to purchase that addresses these areas? Thanks so much for your direction - your CDs have been so valuable to my progress and healing.  Serena

I'm proud to introduce performing artist, Vietnam vet and awesome guy "Big Mike,"who sent us a beautiful card (with some hilarious elements) last week.  He’s officially disabled, but earns his keep playing the 12-string guitar and auto-harp.  Included in the envelope was this wonderful picture of him performing, along with his bright orange business card, and a sticker that read, “I do the handicapped shuffle when I’ve got the disability blues”.

I first heard this dazzlingly heart-opening story (told without a trace of cheesy sentiment or self-pity) on the car radio and was blown away, couldn’t leave ‘til it was done, in spite of the fact that I was late for an appointment.  I just couldn’t leave this story.

I’ve since found it and played it for anyone who will listen, and they too are riveted.  It’s Alan Rabinowitz,  the world’s premier jaguar expert, telling his story – in spite of the fact that he was such a severe stutterer as a kid, that for years he couldn’t talk at all. Treat yourself.  Click here and go to the second set - The Moth Radio Hour #2 . It’s around 20 minutes. You won’t be sorry.

We got this wonderful email as part of a chain, and even though I never do this, I’m passing it along – it’s simply too terrific to miss.  Check it out:

This is 'Faith'

This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 3 legs - 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which had to be amputated. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him.

His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'. But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself. 

Question:
Please Tell me if any of your confidence CD's are in subliminal form. Thank you.
Nick

Answer:
Nick,
There are no subliminal messages on my Health Journeys Self-Confidence CD, nor on Emmett Miller’s Optimal Performance , nor on Shirley McNeal’s Core Inner Strength), nor on Martha Howard’s Keys to Your Highest Potential.

The only CD that has subliminal content under its narrative is David Illig's Self-Esteem.  He embeds simple affirmations (which we checked out before adding his titles to our list) under his excellent Ericksonian hypnosis narrative.  You can just barely hear some of them with your naked ear. 

Researchers from the Department of Nursing, Pochon CHA University in Kyonggi-Do, Korea, compared the impact of feeling state guided imagery (FSGI – imagery to generally improve mood) and end state guided imagery (ESGI – imagery to imagine successful performance) on stress levels and quality of performance in nursing students learning to give intramuscular (IM) injections.

The subjects were 40 female sophomores (21 for the ESGI, 19 for the FSGI). The instruments used were the Visual Analogue Scale for Stress and the Nursing Skill Performance Check-list on Intramuscular Injection, developed by the researchers. Guided imagery was provided through audiotapes for 8 minutes. A pretest was given before applying the guided imagery; the first posttest was taken after the intervention; and the second posttest was taken before the intramuscular injection.  Evaluation of the performance of the intramuscular injection was done immediately afterward.