How long should subjects refrain from smoking before temperature biofeedback is attempted?

The correct response indicates that subjects should refrain from smoking for 60 minutes before undergoing temperature biofeedback. This timeframe is important because smoking can transiently affect peripheral blood flow and skin temperature, which are key variables measured in temperature biofeedback.

Nicotine and other components in cigarettes can cause vasoconstriction, leading to lower skin temperature readings. By allowing a 60-minute period without smoking, it provides a more stable baseline for temperature measurements, ensures greater accuracy in biofeedback feedback, and allows the physiological effects of smoking to diminish before testing. This helps in obtaining a clearer understanding of the subject’s baseline temperature responses without the confounding influences of substances like nicotine.

The other time options do not allow sufficient time for the physiological effects of smoking to wear off, which could result in skewed results and affect the effectiveness of the biofeedback training session.