BIOFEEDBACK

AO1 - 1

Biofeedback - a methods of stress management that turns physiological processes such as heart rate or blood pressure into signals that a client can see and then learn to control using psychological processes

AO1 = 2

Biofeedback works by connecting a client to a machine which can take a physiological measure of the biological processes such as an EEG to measure brain activity or an EMG to measure muscle activity, or even a watch measuring heart rate or blood pressure. This then shows on a screen as an image or plays as a sound.

AO1 - 3

Biofeedback relies on operant conditioning to support the client in controlling their physiological processes. For example a client may lower the pitch of a sound by slowing their heartbeat or may be able to navigate a maze by slowing breathing. The feedback changes are satisfying, negative reinforcement removing a high pitch sound for example and possible praise from a therapist if present work as rewards.

BIOFEEDBACK PHASES

1. Client becomes aware of their physiological processes and uses machine feedback to adjust these
2. Client is taught skills to help them relax i.e breathing techniques
3. The client practises the learnt techniques to manage stress in the real world

AO3: 1

P: Empirical research support (Henry Davis)
E: 8 week programme of either biofeedback or JUST relaxation techniques given to breast cancer patients. 6 months later they measured the urinary cortisol levels of both the experimental (lower levels of cortisol) and control group (higher levels)
J: An objective quantifiable physical realty cannot be faked - so great internal validity in this study - offering very strong support for biofeedback

AO3: 2

Wider academic support
P: Wider academic support
E: Experimental group - doctors using biofeedback (3 x a day for 28 days) completed questionnaires about stress levels. They showed a reduction in stress vs a control group (no biofeedback)
J: However, not as compelling as the last study as it uses a subjective measure, especially if we are testing if biofeedback can use the psychological to alter the physiological - shouldn't we use a physiological measure?

AO3: 3

P: Well, they did use physiological measures, but not included in findings as they refute the effectiveness of biofeedback
E: There was no change in urinary cortisol levels in the doctors. Further evidence of its ineffectiveness was highlight in a meta analysis on hypertension (high blood pressure a common symptom of chronic stress) found biofeedback was so effective as a placebo - so not effective
J: However, if it reduces feelings of anxiety is that not effective? Surely that is one of the key things we want to eliminate? Does that not make it equal to SIT?

AO3: 4

P: Support for biofeedback if taught with relaxation techniques
E: Children suffering from tension headaches (caused by stress) were given a programme of B.F of BART (Biofeedback and Relaxation Techniques). ALL children saw a 55% reduction in headaches. But the biggest reductions remain in the BART group (still had reduction 1 year and 3 years on)
J: Demonstrates effectiveness of BF but highlights need to teach alongside relaxation techniques, so good, but better in combination/not effective alone.

AO3: 5

Questionable effectiveness
P: How do we measure effectiveness? Using psychological measures or physiological measures?
E: If we use psychological measures biofeedback is effective - it reduces stress induced anxiety - result... except! Surely one of the key aims in a stress reduction treatment is to stop the negative physical effect such as CVDs. If biofeedback cannot do that surely it is ineffective? Especially given that drugs and SIT have been shown to be effective?
J: Evidence on effectiveness of biofeedback offers no reliability or validity