How to Use Biofeedback Equipment

Biofeedback Equipment is a process that uses instruments that record physiological signals from a person’s body and then display the information so that a person can learn to change the signal that is being measured.  One therapeutic application of biofeedback is for helping people with stress-related disorders.  In this context sensors may be attached to a client and signals including muscle tension, breathing, and heart rate is measured and displayed on a computer screen.  The client with the help of coaching from a therapist learns to control these signals and bring them to a more relaxed level.

Signals that are recorded with biofeedback instruments include:

Surface EMG (Electromyograph) – measures electrical signals produced when muscles contract.  These signals are picked up by sensors that are placed on the skin and attached to an instrument.

Skin Temperature – Measured from the hands or feet giving an indication of peripheral blood flow.  Skin temperature tends to increase when a person is more relaxed due to dilation of the local blood vessels which causes more blood to flow to the fingers or toes increasing the temperature.  Skin temperature tends to decrease when a person is stressed due to constriction of the local blood vessels causing a reduction of the amount of blood in the fingers or toes.

Skin Conductance – Measured from the palm side of the hands or feet gives an indication of changes in the amount of sweat on the skin.  Increased sweat on the hands or feet is an indication of emotional reactivity or arousal.

Respiration – Breathing is recorded by using a belt sensor that is placed around the abdomen.  It senses how often and how deeply a person breathes based on how often and how much the belt is stretched.  Breathing tends to be faster and shallower when a person is anxious and deeper and slower when a person is more relaxed.

Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability – There are two ways to measure heart rate.  The first is by use of a photoplethysmography sensor.  It is like the pulse oximeter used in hospitals. This type of sensor shines a light into the skin, usually on the palm side of a finger, and then records how that light comes back to the sensor.  This gives information about how much blood is traveling through the blood vessels, how fast the heart is beating as well as other data.  The other type of sensor that measures heart activity is the ECG or EKGelectrocardiogram.  It uses electrodes that are placed on the torso, or wrists to measure electrical impulses given off each time the heart beats.  The signals picked up from the heart are more complex than just how fast the heart is beating.  It is also possible to look at the variability of the heartbeat and the balance of the frequencies which have a great deal of meaning related to overall health and emotional state.

EEG – Electroencephalography or brainwave.  This involves recording electrical activity recorded from the brain.  We look at the power distribution of the various frequencies including Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.  Each of these brain waves is associated with different states of consciousness from deep sleep to active focused thinking and anxiety.

Besides using this technology as a therapy tool.  We can also use it to measure how the mind/body unit reacts to various conditions.  In this way, it can be used for research.

Biofeedback is a technology and method that is used professionally in many healthcare settings by licensed mental or physical medicine professionals including psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, physical therapists, chiropractors, nurses, occupational therapists, and rehab therapists.

There is research on the effectiveness for various conditions including headaches, anxiety, and Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder.

Harry L. Campbell

914-762-4646 – Harry@biofeedbackinternational.com

Author of What Stress Can Do, Available on Amazon.com

Biofeedback Resources International Corp.