Biofeedback

• The aim of biofeedback is to train us to take control of our automatic and unconscious processes by presenting them to us in a form that is obvious. Biofeedback uses technology to let us see and hear our physiological functioning.
• Some examples of our automatic and unconscious processes that biofeedback aims to help us see include: our sympathetic nervous system activating when we see a stressor, which produces increased heart rate, breathing etc.
• There are 3 main phases to biofeedback: 1. Awareness and physiological feedback, 2. Relaxation training and control, 3. Transfer
• Phase 1: awareness and physiological feedback - the client is connected to a machine that converts physiological activities into signals that can be seen and heard. For example, electrodes are placed on their fingertips to monitor heart rate and this is presented on a screen so the client can see. Muscular tension can be measured using an EMG. The electrical activity of muscles is converted into a tone that varies in pitch depending on how tense the muscles are and a therapist explains what is happening at each stage so the feedback from machine is meaningful
• 2: relaxation training and control - learn to control their responses after seeing/hearing them. Physiological responses can be controlled through relaxation training. The client tenses a specific muscle group for a few seconds then relaxes it. This is repeated a few times before moving onto another muscle until mos the body is covered. Training can also include breathing exercises to slow heartrate and helping client visualise relaxing scenes. As client can see their training working on the machine, this positively rewards them that their efforts are working and makes success more likely.
• Phase 3: Transfer - training takes place in safe environments such as a therapy room. Real life is very different so the client must learn to use their skills in everyday life. Portable biofeedback machines are available even as apps, and the client can use this to apply their skills in stressful situations and eventually do this without the machine.
• A strength of biofeedback is that it is safe to use. Unlike medicines, there are no negative side effects or danger of dependency. This makes it ethical and good for addicts that need stress reduction.
• A strength of biofeedback is it gives clients a sense of control. Patients have the satisfaction of knowing they are dealing with symptoms by their own efforts and this may give them an increased sense of control which itself can reduce stress. Therefore this helps in other aspects of stress reduction such as self efficacy.
• A weakness of biofeedback is that it doesn’t deal with the causes of stress. It provides a way of dealing with the symptoms, but doesn’t solve any underlying problems which may be causing stress. This means that the cause of stress still remains.
• A weakness of biofeedback is that it is not very practical. it takes time and commitment for the patient to learn techniques. As a result, many people do not fully master the technique and so drop out before biofeedback could be effective.