Biofeedback

• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) aims to provide control over the physiological processes associated with stress such as muscular tension and heart rate
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) uses machinery for the client to be able to see or hear visual or audible representations of their physiological functioning
• One example of biofeedback is how muscular tension can be measured by an electromyogram (EMG) with electrical activity in the muscles being converted into a tone of varying pitch
• One example of biofeedback is how an electroencephalogram (EEG) measures brain activity to be displayed on a screen
• One example of biofeedback is the skin conductance test measuring sweat levels and heart rate monitors
• Biofeedback (Budzynski (1973)) stage 1; awareness; the client is made aware of the different aspects to their physiological response to stress by measuring their processes and visually or audibly representing them for example through an electromyogram (EMG) measuring electrical activity in muscles to display muscle tension as a sound of varying pitch
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) stage 2; learn control; the client is taught techniques to reduce their physiological stress response such as deep relaxation training to reduce muscle tension causing them to see or hear changes in their biofeedback representation
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) stage 2; learn control; changes to the biofeedback graph are observed and the client is given positive reinforcements by the therapist for reducing their stress response causing behaviour to be more likely to be repeated through operant conditioning
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) stage 3; transfer; the client practices learned techniques in the real world through stressful situations
• Davis (1986) used electromyogram (EMG) feedback for women receiving breast cancer treatment
• Davis (1986) gave participants 13 45 minute sessions of biofeedback over 8 weeks in which 25 participants learned deep breathing and relaxation techniques
• Davis (1986) found that after 8 months of Biofeedback urinary cortisol levels and self-reported anxiety levels were significantly lower while in a control group these variables increased
• Davis (1986) showed that biofeedback stabilises the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system
• Davis (1986) weakness; beta bias as it only studies women however applies its results to men as well
• biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) strength; Research support from Davis who showed biofeedback as reducing urinary cortisol levels and self-reported stress in women with breast cancer
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) strength; research support from Lamaire (2011) who trained doctors to do biofeedback 3 times a day for 28 days and found their self-reported stress fell significantly more than a control group's HOWEVER this may have been a placebo effect as although self reported stress fell, the actual physiological responses did not
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) strength; convenient as current devices are relatively cheap and around the size of a mobile phone so can be used in everyday life, in fact many digital smart watches allow users to measure their heart rate throughout the day so this can be implemented in already owned technology
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) weakness; only looks into treating the physiological symptoms of stress which do not cover the psychological and emotional issues of stress
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) weakness; lower maintenence solutions such as drug therapy may be more convenient for clients who do not have the time or motivation to take part in biofeedback
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) strength; can be adapted to children by introducing a game interface that has them solve a maze as they adjust their physiological responses so can be easily applied to many types of people
• Biofeedback (Budzynski 1973) weakness; requires large amounts of training which individuals may not have the time or motivation for