Biofeedback

What is the general definition of biofeedback?

Providing information about ourselves using external intruments

Biofeedback involves monitoring a physiological process so that it can be understood, controlled, or _____ by the subject.

modified

Besides being a treatment, what other function can biofeedback serve?

Training

What physiological process could EMG biofeedback monitor regarding muscles?

Muscle activity during voluntary contractions

What does EEG stand for in the context of biofeedback signal sources?

Electroencephalograph

What type of biofeedback signal source measures weight distribution?

force

Bar graphs and temporal plots are examples of what type of biofeedback display?

visual

Varying the pitch or volume of a sound is an example of what type of biofeedback?

Audio

In a physical therapy clinic, EMG biofeedback monitors the electrical signal produced during a _____.

Voluntary contraction

The EMG signal is the summation of all MUAP “trains” from active motor units within the _____.

recording volume

What are the two basic types of EMG biofeedback systems?

Stationary and portable

Which type of EMG electrode is most commonly used in biofeedback systems?

Surface electrodes

How many electrodes are used in a bipolar EMG system?

Three

(+,-, and ground)

What is the primary advantage of a bipolar EMG system?

Common signal (noise) removal

What specification characterizes an EMG system's ability to remove common signal noise?

CMRR (common Mode Rejection Ratio)

In EMG data processing, what is the first step, performed to protect the subject and amplify the signal close to the source?

Isolation and pre-amplification

What is the purpose of the 'filter' stage in EMG signal processing?

To selectively remove unwanted signal

The process of converting all negative EMG signal components to positive values is called _____.

rectification

Which EMG processing step prepares the signal for the integration stage?

rectification

What does the 'integration' stage in EMG processing calculate?

Summation of data over time (area under the curve)

The integrated EMG signal is often used to drive what kind of feedback for the subject?

Visual or audible feedback

EMG biofeedback has been shown to be an effective treatment for young adolescents with what condition?

Tension-type headache

EMG biofeedback could be used for selective training of the _____ to contract independently of the VL.

VM (vastus medialis)

trapezius relaxation showed a significant increase in EMG activity in which muscles?

Rhomboid major and minor

The phenomenon where relaxing one muscle group via biofeedback causes increased activity in another is known as an _____ application.

inverse

Research does not support using EMG biofeedback to improve gait in which phase after a stroke?

acute phase

Using EMG biofeedback with cervical traction for neck pain subjects resulted in a decreased time to raise traction force to what level?

optimum level

In children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, what type of feedback was used with an insole pressure switch to improve gait patterns?

auditory (stepping with the click of each step)

In stroke patients, auditory feedback linked to force platforms was shown to improve the regulation of what?

Perturbed stance

The transformation of EEG signals into music via a computer algorithm is known as _____.

brain music

For what condition did 'Brain Music' (EEG biofeedback) show positive effects in 80% of patients?

insomnia

Home training with continuous blood pressure biofeedback was studied for patients with what condition?

Hypertension

What is another term for biofeedback used in conditions where sensory loss has occurred?

Function Sensory Substitution

Functional Sensory Substitution is applicable for patients with peripheral _____ to provide knowledge of gait deviations.

neuropathy

For patients with an upper-extremity prosthetic, biofeedback can be used to provide a sense of _____.

touch (pressure & hot/cold)

In EMG, what is the general term for any unwanted signal that contaminates the desired signal?

noise

Noise from AC power lines, typically at 60 Hz, is known as what type of noise?

Narrow-Band Noise

Signal from adjacent muscles contaminating the target EMG signal is known as _____.

cross-talk

For consistent EMG measurements, surface electrodes should be placed parallel to the direction of the _____.

muscle fibers

What is the recommended distance between surface electrodes for EMG recording?

2 cm

EMG signals from a residual limb have been used to control what type of device?

Electric prosthesis (myoelectrics)

Changes in EMG that relate to muscle fatigue can be analyzed using what method?

Spectral analysis

What biofeedback signal source monitors brain waves?

EEG

What biofeedback signal source measures heart activity?

EKG

What is the most common biofeedback type the subject 'sees'?

visual

The process of using auditory feedback for balance is based on signals from what device?

Force platforms

EMG signals from shoulder muscles have been used to control LE FES in people with what type of injury?

SCI

A stationary EMG system is typically computer-based and requires the subject to be _____.

tethered