Biofeedback

• Biofeedback

  -The aim is for individuals to gain voluntary, conscious control over involuntary physiological processes linked to the stress response.

  -This is achieved by providing the patient which feedback about their involuntary physiological functions activated by stress.

  -Therapy provides then with skill training, allowing the individual to be able to take control and consciously regulate own stress related physiology.
• Stage 1 - measuring and displaying the stress response

  -Individual is connected to one or more devices which measure physiological arousal. (stress) e.g. skin conductance through sweating , electromyogram through muscle tension and electrocardiogram through heart rate.

  -These measuring devices convert physiological activity associated with stress into a visual or auditory signal which the individual can see and hear.

  -This provides them with feedback of stress in real time.
• Stage 2 - skills training and feedback

  -Individual is trained to become aware and understand this feedback and what it means about their current level of physiological arousal.

  -Relaxation methods are thought to help reduce their level of physiological arousal e.g. deeper/slower breathing.

  -Provides feedback about success of their relaxation technique via machines and is converted into a graphical display e.g. breathing slows as looking at video of slow moving balloons.

  -Providing the individual with feedback which they can act upon.
• Stage 3 - Transfer

  -When individual is able to take control of physiological response to stress they transfer it to real life.

  -It simply involves putting into practice the new skills to manage everyday stressors the individual encounters.

  -They have feedback which they can act upon.
• The psychology behind biofeedback

  -is based on the theory of operant conditioning, making it a behavioural intervention for managing stress.

  -Actively seeing their stress response decrease when they have applied relaxation techniques and receive praise from therapist acts as positive reinforcement.

  -Barriers can only be removed if the individual uses stress management techniques successfully. Removes the obstacle acting as negative reinforcement.