The object of this page is to introduce the reader to the concept of biofeedback and then, over the coming months, provide more extensive coverage of the topic.

WHAT IS BIOFEEDBACK?

The term BIOFEEDBACK means providing the individual with information about their body that they would not normally be aware of.  Hence biofeedback is the feeding back of      biological information, using a number of different devices, with the object of gaining  control over whatever aspect of the body is being looked at.


SIMPLE BIOFEEDBACK DEVICES

These might include:

            A MIRROR - Providing information about the face and hair so that your       
            makeup or hair style can be altered.

            BATHROOM SCALES - So that you can check to see if you are over or under 
            weight.

            FEVER THERMOMETER - To see if your temperature is up.

            HAND ON FACE - To see if your hands are cold possibly indicating stress.


COMMON ELABORATE BIOFEEDBACK DEVICES

These include:

ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC FEEDBACK (EMG) - Measures muscle activity and is
used in stress management, rehabilitation medicine, incontinence etc.

THERMAL FEEDBACK - Normally measures the temperature of the fingers and 
toes as an indicator of SNS activity.  Used to help individuals with any
cardio-vascular or ANS problem such as Migraine, Hypertension and IBS. (See "Disorder File").

ELECTROENCEPHELAGRAPHIC FEEDBACK (EEG) - Measures brainwave   
activity and is now most commonly used in Neurofeedback for such  problems as ADD, ADHD, learning difficulties and chemical addictions.

ELECTRODERMAL RESPONSE (GSR/SCL) - Measures the sweating response. 
Normally used for hyperhydrosis and also various psychological/ psychiatric applications.

SKIN POTENTIAL RESPONSE (SPR) - Looks at the electrical activity of the skin - another way of looking at the sweating response.  Not commonly used.

CARDIOTACHOMETER - Measures heart rate (HR).  Has been used to teach     
individuals to raise or lower HR and sometimes to control arrythmias.

SPHYGMOMANOMETER - Measures blood pressure and at one time was used
to help individuals to control blood pressure.  There are now easier ways to learn how to reduce Hypertension.

PULSE WAVE VELOCITY - Measures the time taken for a pulse of blood to
travel from point A to point B - another way of getting at blood pressure 
measurements.  Again there are easier ways to learn how to reduce     
Hypertension.

STRAIN GAUGE - Used to measure strength in rehabilitation medicine.

STETHOSCOPE - Normally used to listen to breathing and heart, this has 
been utilised to try and control breathing and heart rate patterns and also    movements of the bowels in IBS and Constipation.

GONIOMETER - Used to measure limb angles in rehabilitation medicine.

PERENEAL AND ANAL EMG - Used in gaining control of incontinence , chronic
constipation/obstructed defecation and problems of the pelvic floor.

I will say more about these in the coming months.  In the meantime you can get more  information from the AAPB or BCIA websites.  A useful book to look at is "Biofeedback - Principles and Practice for Clinicians" edited by John V. Basmajian.

Student working with the basic configuration of EMG, Temperature and SCL.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC APPLICATIONS OF BIOFEEDBACK?

            1. Sports Medicine -

                            a) Sports Injury Rehabilitation
                            b) Excellence in Sport
                            c) Sport in Space
                            d) General Sport

            2. Rehabilitation Medicine -

                            a) Peripheral Nerve Injury
                            b) Palsy
                            c) Stroke
                            d) Bruxism
                            e) Postural Feedback for Scoliosis
                            f) Incontinence
                            g) Obstructed defecation
                            h) ADHD, ADD, and learning difficulties.

                            Many others.

            3. Stress Medicine - for any Stress Related or Dysponetic Disorder.


I will expand this page in the coming months.  In the meantime you may like to look at the "Disorder File and "Applied Psychophysiology" pages.

Copyright © Derek Webster 2003