Biofeedback

biofeedback

use of appropriate instrumentation to bring covert physiological processes to the conscious awareness of one or more individuals

biofeedback converts electrical signal to

-Auditory
-Visual
-Haptic (touch)

different methods of biofeedback

-EMG or electromyographic biofeedback
-HR sensors
-SP02 Monitors
-Temperature sensors
-Movement sensors
-Blood Glucose monitors

how is biofeedback used in psychology, physiotherapy, sports medicine

-e.g. person learns to control anxiety by measuring HR, temp, other body responses
-e.g. person controls muscle tension causing headaches
-e.g. athlete learning to control heart rate (HR monitor)
-e.g. distance athlete determining anaerobic threshold to set training intensity (multiple strategies)

why is biofeedback useful

-Valuable tool to treat patients with a variety of neuromuscular disorders
-patient learns to recognize desired responses and use them to their benefits

physiological effects of biofeedback

-muscle relaxation (neuromuscular inhibition)
-muscle recruitment (neuromuscular facilitation)
-neuromuscular coordination

muscle relaxation (biofeedback)

■reduce elevated muscle activity e.g. neck tension
■lower reflex response to stretch e.g. spasticity
■normalization of muscle tone e.g. overused muscle activity
■undesirable muscle activity e.g. muscle used inappropriately

muscle recruitment (biofeedback)

-weak contraction e.g. orthopedic
-retraining of muscle e.g. hypotonic patients
-stimulate muscle activity e.g. postural changes

neuromuscular coordination (biofeedback)

appropriate timing of muscle contraction e.g. gait training

precautions and contraindications for biofeedback

-no stimulation so very little is contraindicated
-skin conditions (e.g., allergies to tape)
-acute inflammation (due to requirement to contract muscle in order to use biofeedback)
-pregnancy (intravaginally)
-bladder or vaginal infection

preparing a patient for biofeedback

■Prepare patient
■prepare electrodes
■know treatment expectations and instruct patient
■use appropriate exercises concurrently
■remove machine and check skin area
■document appropriately
-explain how this will help them in short and long term

working with feedback (biofeedback treatment)

-have patient consciously contract when they hear/see feedback

respond to feedback (biofeedback treatment)

-have patient consciously relax when they see/hear feedback

case examples for biofeedback

■Jane is experiencing tension headaches during and after work. She works at a desk 7 hours per day.
■John is experiencing weakness and difficulty engaging quadriceps muscles following ACL surgery.
■Jim is experiencing pain with overhead movements during his work as an electrician.
■Jen is trying to select an appropriate training intensity while training for a marathon.
■Joyce is experiencing knee pain and ankle pain while playing volleyball. Her therapist thinks it may be due to faulty mechanics