Biofeedback is a process that uses technology to train you to change and control certain patterns of behavior, including heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Often used to reduce anxiety and stress, biofeedback also can help manage conditions, such as hyperactivity, learning disorders and incontinence. Electrodes attached to your body transmit your vital signs to a computer. This information is interpreted by a biofeedback therapist, who provides mental exercises to correct your ingrained habits.
Types of Biofeedback
The biofeedback process depends on the type used and the goals you and your therapist develop together. Electromyography, or EMG, detects muscle tension. Using EMG encourages proper muscle movement, potentially optimizing sports performance, relaxing your muscles and quieting your mind. An electroencephalograph, or EEG, measures your brain waves and can influence your mental attention, clarity, creativity and relaxation. Heart rate variability, HRV, training encourages proper cardiorespiratory function, while thermal biofeedback monitors your skin temperature.
What to Expect During a Session
Your biofeedback therapist will discuss the goals of each session before beginning. He will attach electrodes to your skin to send information to the computer program. Electrode placement depends on the biofeedback type; for example, EEG's are typically attached to your scalp, while HRV electrodes might attach to your fingers. The electrode signals are translated into a tone that varies in pitch, a visual meter whose brightness changes or a computer screen with moving lines or objects. Some programs use objects, such as animals or rocket ships, that move based on your body or brain signals.
Mental Exercises
The therapist leads you through mental exercises that will influence what you see on the screen. If your objective is to decrease your heart rate, for instance, she might ask you to breathe deeply or relax your muscles. The changes in your body elicit changes on the screen you're watching. Alterations in these visual markers act as positive reinforcement, encouraging you to repeat your movements or thoughts to retrain your unconscious habits. Through trial and error, you learn to control your body and create the physical changes you want. Typically, eight to 10 sessions are recommended for most conditions, although more may be needed. Your therapist will determine how much time your condition requires.
Supporting Research
Though scientists are uncertain exactly how biofeedback works, evidence suggests it is an effective adjunct therapy for managing a variety of conditions, both physical and neurological. A July 2011 study published in "Techniques in Coloproctology" found that colorectal cancer surgery patients who used biofeedback experienced relief from incontinence. Biofeedback therapy is also useful in attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, or ADHD. It can be used to help retrain ADHD sufferers to choose more appropriate behaviors and make good decisions.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Biofeedback
- Futurehealth: Personal Biofeedback Training
- "Techniques in Coloproctology": Biofeedback Therapy for Symptoms of Bowel Dysfunction Following Surgery for Colorectal Cancer; L. Bartlett, et al.; July 2011
- "Georgian Medical News": Changes in Cognitive Evoked Potentials During Nonpharmacological Treatment in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; S. Bakhtadze, et al.; March 2011
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