For biofeedback, a type of mind-body medicine, electronic devices are used to provide information to patients about biologic functions (eg, heart rate, blood pressure, muscle activity, skin temperature, skin resistance, brain surface electrical activity) and to teach patients to control these functions through mental exercises.
Uses for Biofeedback
With the help of a therapist or with training, patients can use information from biofeedback to modify a physiologic function or to relax, thereby lessening the effects of conditions such as pain, stress, anxiety (1), insomnia, and headaches.
There are many different types of biofeedback, including the following:
Electrocardiography to monitor heart rate variability: To improve sports performance (2); to manage a variety of chronic diseases, mental health conditions, sleep disorders, or other neurologic disorders (3)
Electroencephalography to monitor brain activity (neurofeedback): For treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (4) or anxiety disorders (1)
Electromyography to monitor muscle contraction: As part of pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence (5)
References
1. Tolin DF, Davies CD, Moskow DM, et al. Biofeedback and neurofeedback for anxiety disorders: a quantitative and qualitative systematic review. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1191:265-289, 2020. doi: 10.1007/978-981-32-9705-0_16
2. Jiménez Morgan S, Molina Mora JA. Effect of heart rate variability biofeedback on sport performance, a systematic review. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 42(3):235-245, 2017. doi:10.1007/s10484-017-9364-2
3. Fournié C, Chouchou F, Dalleau G, et al. Heart rate variability biofeedback in chronic disease management: a systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 60:102750, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102750
4. Arns M, Clark CR, Trullinger M, et al. Neurofeedback and attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) in children: rating the evidence and proposed guidelines. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 45(2):39-48, 2020. doi: 10.1007/s10484-020-09455-2
5. Alouini S, Memic S, Couillandre A. Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence with or without biofeedback or electrostimulation in women: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 19(5):2789, 2022. Published 2022 Feb 27. doi:10.3390/ijerph19052789
