Biofeedback Equipment, 5 Things You Need to Know

Are you thinking of getting biofeedback equipment?  Here are 5 things you need to know.

1. What is it measuring? Biofeedback instruments may measure different things.  All biofeedback instruments are not the same.  There are different modalities that can be measured including surface EMG for muscle tension, Skin Temperature, Skin Conductance, Respiration, Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, EEG, and CO2 (Capnometry).  Some biofeedback equipment measures only one of these modalities.  Others may measure up to 10 separate channels at the same time.

2. Do I have a reliable signal? The feedback that the instrument provides is only as good as the quality of the signal.  If the signal is not accurate it is not a good representation of the changes happening in the body.  Some biofeedback equipment makes it easy to see the quality of the signal.  Other instruments may hide the actual signal and only show you a game or give you sound that is supposed to be reacting to the signal.

3. Can I tell if I am doing better? The feedback needs to be clear for learning to occur.  It is very basic but, if not done correctly, it is hard to tell what you are really doing.  If you are using temperature biofeedback and the goal is to increase the temperature, the feedback should clearly let you know if your temperature is increasing or not.  If the goal is to relax your muscles, you should be able to clearly tell when your muscle tension is decreasing or not.

4. What kind of support is available? There are some biofeedback equipment manufacturers that have been around for over 40 years. There are others that make a big splash and then disappear. Some are known for excellent support and with others it is almost impossible to speak to a person at all to get help. Make sure to learn what you can about the company and how their support works.

5. Does a person have to use biofeedback equipment forever? Biofeedback allows you to train your physiology so that you learn greater awareness and control of the changes that happen within your body. The more you practice, the less you should need the equipment. Eventually, you should be able to use the sensations within your body to be aware of the changes. At that point you don’t need the equipment anymore but, it can still be useful to test yourself occasionally to see if you have retained what you learned.

Harry L. Campbell

President, Biofeedback Resources International Corp

877-669-6463/914-762-4646

Email: Harry@biofeedbackinternational.com