Brief Overview of Biofeedback


Brief Overview of Biofeedback

 

An Overview Of Clinical Biofeedback

1)    Treatment Type: This is a specialized form of Behaviour Therapy (Behaviour Modification).

2)    Aim: To train patients to self-regulate, to some extent, physiological processes: heart rate, blood volume pulse, vasodilation/ vasoconstriction, muscle tension, brain waves (EEG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and respiratory patterns.

3)    Methods: Electronic, and other mechanical devices are used to monitor the patient’s physiological processes, such as subtle muscle tension.

4)    Patients are provided real-time feedback about the ongoing physiological processes (biofeedback).

5)    Classical and Operant Conditioning methods are used to train the patients to modify physiological responses, e.g. to induce relaxation by breathing comfortably at 10 breaths per minute over a 15 minute several times a week. This is complimented by home practice, with or without biofeedback devices.

6)    In general, the interventions help to achieve Autonomic Nervous System balance (sympathetic/ parasympathetic).