Biofeedback is the process by which a person can learn to control mental processes which trigger physiological responses. In biofeedback therapy, patients are hooked up to biological sensors and view their physiological information in real time. By seeing subtle changes in the body quantified, people make clearer associations between their mental and physiological states. Once this connection is made, one can consciously alter their behavior or use relaxation exercises to gain greater authority over their body's involuntary processes. |
Modalities
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Medical Uses
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Different modalities in biofeedback have pros and cons. For example, heart rate is cheap to monitor, but responds to stimuli with a delay. Facial expressions have an instantaneous response to stimuli, but is more expensive and can be easily manipulated.
Another consideration is individual differences between users. Everybody has a unique body!
Another consideration is individual differences between users. Everybody has a unique body!
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Personal Use
Monitoring one's physiological signs is also the cornerstone of the "Quantified Self" movement. Not all QS activities involve the simultaneously noticing one's physiological responses and changing behavior, but the emergence of the wearable technology market has made purchasing biofeedback-enabled devices easy and cheap. One can buy a heart rate monitor for $50 on Amazon! More information on the QS movement can be found in The Quantified Self: Fundamental Disruption in Big Data Science and Biological Discovery . |
Biofeedback has benefits for physiological as well as psychological disorders. For the latter, it's important to recognize that mental states and their physiological responses are not omnidirectional. For example, when a person becomes anxious, their heart might beat faster. In biofeedback therapy, they might learn to control their heartbeat through a deep breathing exercise, made easier by being able to see their heartbeat in real time. Then, they can calm themselves down next time they become anxious by controlling their breathing.
In this sense, biofeedback is a tool that facilitates gaining greater awareness over one's body, but it isn't the only way. People can learn to control responses like their breathing without biofeedback, but it is deceptively difficult to really pay attention to one's body, especially when it comes to involuntary processes like heartbeat or muscle tension.
For more information, visit the biofeedback overview page at Healthline.
In this sense, biofeedback is a tool that facilitates gaining greater awareness over one's body, but it isn't the only way. People can learn to control responses like their breathing without biofeedback, but it is deceptively difficult to really pay attention to one's body, especially when it comes to involuntary processes like heartbeat or muscle tension.
For more information, visit the biofeedback overview page at Healthline.