Biofeedback method

The method of biological feedback (from the English biofeedback) is a special type of training in voluntary regulation of such physiological indicators as bioelectrical oscillations of brain potentials, heart rate, respiratory parameters, temperature and electrical resistance of the skin, muscle tension, etc. Feedback can be translated as "feedback", the term "biofeedback" in Russian-language literature is represented by various options - "biofeedback", "biofeedback with feedback" or (more often and in the last 10 years) as "biofeedback method".

The method of biological feedback can act on the unconscious level. The peculiarity of the method is the non-specific therapeutic effect - the reduction of emotional tension, which is extremely important in the treatment of borderline mental disorders.

Before using the biofeedback method, it is necessary:

• conduct a polygraphic registration of a number of the above-mentioned physiological functions of the body;
• select the parameters of bioelectrical or biomechanical processes selected for control;
• provide a signaling system indicating “punishment” or “reinforcement” (“encouragement”) depending on changes in the parameters of the regulated functions (phase, frequency, amplitude);
• introduce registration of biological processes for subsequent systemic mathematical analysis;
• conduct an objective quantitative analysis of pathological manifestations, express analysis of individual bioelectrical, biomechanical and vegetative indicators;
• involve the patient in the treatment.

Key attributes of biofeedback therapy:

• continuous monitoring of the functions under study;
• the patient is provided with real-time sensory feedback for the controlled function in the form of sound or image;
• instructions that encourage the patient to change his or her functions.

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Indications for the use of biofeedback therapy

The method of biological feedback by electromyogram is used for relaxation training and therapy of movement disorders. It is used for dissociative disorders of motor skills, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome.

The method of biofeedback on the parameters of the cardiovascular system (heart rate, blood pressure, pulse wave propagation time, etc.) is indicated for anxiety-phobic disorders, somatoform autonomic dysfunctions, adaptation disorders, lesions of the central and autonomic nervous system (in case of traumatic brain injury and cerebrovascular accidents manifested by neurocirculatory dystonia, cardiac arrhythmias).

Biofeedback method based on skin temperature. The method is aimed at increasing blood supply to various parts of the body. The stress reaction is accompanied by centralization of blood circulation, "pumping" of blood to vital organs, increased blood pressure, acceleration of blood flow, decreased blood flow to the extremities and spasms of peripheral vessels. Mastering voluntary control over the temperature of the fingertips is an effective way to dilate the vessels of the extremities, reduce peripheral resistance and thereby prevent the development of psycho-emotional stress or reduce its level.

The method of biofeedback by galvanic skin response. The technique is based on teaching patients to suppress the conditioned reflex reaction of fear in simulated circumstances under the control of galvanic skin response using elements of conversational psychotherapy and subsequent transfer of the acquired experience to specific life situations. In patients with a dominant anxiety-phobic syndrome, the level of anxiety decreases, phobic manifestations are deactualized. In patients with borderline mental disorders caused by hypertension, in most cases, subjective improvement of well-being is noted - decreased anxiety, improved mood, normalization of sleep, increased activity, significant reduction of neurasthenic, asthenodepressive anxious-depressive, obsessive, hysterical and hysterodepressive syndromes. Biofeedback by galvanic skin response is an auxiliary means of increasing mental stress resistance.

The method of biofeedback on respiratory parameters is successfully used in hyperventilation syndrome, bronchial asthma, somatoform dysfunctions of the respiratory system. High efficiency of speech correction, heart rate, respiratory arrhythmia of the heart, in the treatment of stuttering in children and adults is noted (method of Smetankin A.A.). The essence of the method lies in teaching the patient to control and purposefully change the physiological functions involved in speech production (breathing, muscle and vegetative-vascular tone, psychoemotional state).

The method of biological feedback based on rheoencephalogram is used to regulate pulse blood filling, reduce arterial tone, and facilitate venous outflow. It is used for vegetative-vascular dystonia, somatoform vegetative dysfunctions, migraine, neurosis-like somatogenic and organic disorders of traumatic and vascular genesis.

The method of biofeedback by EEG, or neurofeedback, is used to treat various functional disorders. In English-language literature, the terms "EEG biofeedback" and "neurofeedback" are generally accepted (as synonyms). Biofeedback by EEG (along with other methods) allows the patient to learn to feel a state that is not controlled in a normal situation.