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Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a process that uses biomedical instruments to measure and feedback
physiological information to the person connected to the equipment. The primary
goal of biofeedback is to learn or enhance self-regulation. This is done by developing
greater awareness and voluntary control over physiological processes that are
normally outside the realm of ordinary awareness and voluntary control. Biofeedback
always involves a therapist, a client, and monitoring instruments.
Biofeedback is not just relaxation training; it is a process of skill development.
The instruments gather objective data regarding signs and symptoms of stress,
disease, and injury. Through a process of awareness and skill development, the
individual learns to prevent and treat these signs and symptoms facilitating
improved health, well-being, and performance.
Biofeedback is used by students to reduce anxiety and improve test performance,
as well as by non-students to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. It is used
by athletes and entertainers to optimize performance. It is also used as a complementary
medicine modality in the category of mind-body interventions.
The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) has formalized
criteria for determining the efficacy of biofeedback treatment for various disorders.
The evidence for the effectiveness of biofeedback is substantial. The two highest
standards of efficacy are met in treating anxiety, attention deficit disorder,
headaches, hypertension, temporomandibular disorders, and urinary incontinence.
There are numerous other conditions for which biofeedback is judged as being
probably effective, however larger scale research studies have not yet been completed
as with the previously mentioned disorders. These include alcoholism/ substance
abuse, arthritis, chronic pain, epilepsy, insomnia and fecal elimination disorders.
Common types of biofeedback are:
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To Measure: |
Typical Application: |
Blood volume pulse |
Heart rate and volume of blood in each pulse |
Anxiety, arrhythmia, hypertension |
Electrodermal |
Sweat gland activity |
Anxiety, excessive sweating |
Electromyography |
Muscle tension |
Stress, pain, temporomandibular disorder, headache, torticollis, incontinence |
Neurofeedback |
Electrical activity in the brain |
Alcohol and substance abuse, epilepsy, hyperactivity, insomnia |
Respiration |
Breath rate and rhythm |
Anxiety, asthma, hyperventilation, panic |
Thermal (skin temperature) |
Changes in blood flow |
Anxiety, hypertension, Raynaud’s disease |
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