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.
(See also Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine.)
Uses for Biofeedback
With the help of a therapist or with training, patients can then use information from biofeedback to modify the 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 neurofeedback, which specifically monitors brain activity with electroencephalography and provides a response.
Biofeedback is also used in patients with pelvic floor disorders (with efficacy, 2) and to increase awareness of heart rate variability to improve sports performance (3). Heart rate variability biofeedback has also been studied for a variety of chronic and mental health or neurologic disorders (eg, sleep disorders) (4). Neurofeedback appears to be effective in cognitive performance and the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (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. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
