Biofeedback

Biofeedback

Monitoring a physiological process to aid in controlling or modifying it by a patient/subject

Can function as both a treatment and biological training

Biofeedback types

Auditory, visual, vibration/haptic, electrical

Stationary system

Computer based system with subject tethered to machin

Portable system

Self-contained. Include telemetry, data logging, etc.

Capable of moving with subject

Electrode types

Surface, fine wire, needle

Majority of systems will use surface

Carry-over

The transferability of biofeedback training to the ‘real world’

Sensory substitution

Providing biofeedback of one system through a different sensory form

Ex: providing vibration to pecs to indicate pressure on a robotic arm

Training

Ensuring the intensity/salience of biofeedback training is sufficient to create a change in behavior

Noise

Unwanted signals contaminating a reading

Primary drawback to biofeedback training

Narrow-band noise

Includes electrical wire noise at 60 Hz

Biological noise

Noise from movement of electrodes or patient

Cross-talk

Signal overflow from surrounding area or from different channels

Artifacting

May be due to movement of electrodes or changes in muscle length