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Other common
name(s): none
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Biofeedback is a treatment method that uses monitoring devices
to help people consciously control physical processes that are usually
controlled automatically, such as heart rate, blood pressure,
temperature, sweating, and muscle tension.
Overview
Biofeedback is one of several relaxation methods that was
evaluated and found to be of possible benefit by an independent panel
convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The panel found it
a somewhat useful complementary therapy for treating chronic pain. The
panel also found that, while biofeedback might help with some sleep
problems (such as insomnia), its effect on how long it took to fall
asleep and total sleep time were uncertain. Available scientific
evidence does not support claims that biofeedback can influence the
development or progression of cancer; however, it can help to improve
quality of life for some people with cancer.
How is it promoted for use?
Biofeedback is used to help a person regulate specific body
functions. By helping a patient change his or her heart rate, skin
temperature, breathing rate, muscle tension and other such activity in
the body, biofeedback can reduce stress and muscle tension from a
number of causes. It can promote relaxation, help correct urinary
incontinence, and treat migraines and less serious headaches. It helps
some people with Raynaud disease (problems of blood circulation that
make the fingers and toes feel very cold, numb, or even painful)
increase the temperature of their hands and toes. Through a greater
awareness of bodily functions, it can help a person regulate or alter
other physical functions that may be causing discomfort. Biofeedback is
also useful in retraining muscles after injury, or in teaching muscles
to take over for other muscles that can no longer perform as needed.
What does it involve?
Monitoring devices are used to amplify physical processes that
are hard to detect without help. This information is then "fed back" in
the form of a continuous signal (such as a tone or image readout). The
person can adjust his or her thinking, emotional state, or other mental
processes to focus on changing the signal and controlling his or her
bodily functions.
For example, under the guidance of a biofeedback therapist,
the patient concentrates on changing a specific physical process, such
as heart rate, temperature, perspiration, blood flow, brain activity,
or muscle tension. A monitor connected via electrodes to the patient's
skin measures changes in the function the patient is trying to alter.
Tones or images produced by the monitor inform the patient when he or
she achieves the desired results. The process is repeated as often as
necessary until the patient can reliably use conscious thought to
change physical functions. After this is learned, the biofeedback
equipment is no longer needed, although some patients return to have
their condition monitored and repeat their biofeedback sessions.
There are at least 5 different ways to measure bodily
functions for biofeedback purposes.
- An electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical activity of
muscles. It is used in conventional medicine to diagnose a variety of
nerve and muscle diseases and in biofeedback to help heal muscle
injuries and relieve chronic pain and some types of incontinence.
- Thermal biofeedback provides information about skin
temperature, which is a good indicator of blood flow. Several health
problems such as migraine headaches, Raynaud disease, anxiety, and high
blood pressure are related to blood flow.
- Electrodermal activity (EDA) shows changes in perspiration
rate, which is an indicator of anxiety.
- Finger pulse measurements are used to reflect high blood
pressure, heart beat irregularities, and anxiety.
- Breathing rate is also monitored. This measurement is used
to treat asthma and hyperventilation and to promote relaxation.
- Biofeedback is often a matter of trial and error as
patients learn to adjust their thinking and connect changes in thought,
breathing, posture, and muscle tension with changes in physical
functions that are usually controlled unconsciously.
What is the history behind it?
For centuries, followers of ancient Eastern practices such as
meditation and yoga have claimed they could control physical processes
usually considered beyond the power of conscious thought. Studies on
how biofeedback works were not conducted until the 1970s. Originally,
it was used by counselors, psychologists, and other mental health
professionals. Today, physicians and other health care professionals in
the United States use biofeedback as a complementary therapy to promote
relaxation and treat headaches, migraines, and insomnia.
What is the evidence?
Although biofeedback has no direct effect on the development
or progress of cancer, it can improve quality of life for some people
with cancer. Research has found that biofeedback can be helpful for
patients in regaining urinary and bowel control after surgery. A recent
study looked at 125 men who were having surgery for prostate cancer. Of
those who had biofeedback training to learn bladder control exercises
before surgery, 6% still had urine leakage 6 months after surgery. Of
the men who did not have the biofeedback training, nearly 20 percent
had leakage six months after surgery.
In another clinical trial, relaxation therapy was more
effective than biofeedback in reducing some side effects of
chemotherapy. Biofeedback is often used with relaxation for the best
results.
After looking at data on biofeedback, an NIH panel found the
method is moderately effective for relieving many types of chronic
pain, particularly tension headaches. Its benefit was less clear for
sleep problems, since its effect on how long it took to fall asleep and
how long a person stayed asleep was uncertain. The panel also found
that biofeedback was better than relaxation therapy for treating
migraine headaches. The effects of biofeedback vary significantly from
person to person. Small studies have suggested that biofeedback may be
used to improve circulation in people with diabetes and improve
migraine headaches in children.
Are there any problems or complications?
Biofeedback is thought to be a safe technique. It is
noninvasive and requires little effort. There have been occasional
reports of dizziness, anxiety, disorientation, and a sensation of
floating, which may be emotionally upsetting to some people.
Biofeedback requires a trained and certified professional to manage
equipment, interpret changes, and monitor the patient. Battery-operated
devices sold for home use have not been found to be reliable.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Astin JA, Shapiro SL, Eisenberg DM, Forys KL. Mind-body
medicine: state of the science, implications for practice. J Am Board Fam Pract.
2003;16:131-147.
Burgio KL, Goode PS, Urban DA, et al. Preoperative biofeedback
assisted behavioral training to decrease post-prostatectomy
incontinence: a randomized, controlled trial. J Urol.
2006;175:196-201.
Burish TG, Jenkins RA. Effectiveness of biofeedback and
relaxation training in reducing the side effects of cancer
chemotherapy. Health
Psychol. 1992;11:17-23.
Cassileth B. The
Alternative Medicine Handbook: The Complete Reference Guide to
Alternative and Complementary Therapies. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton; 1998.
Ernst E, ed. The
Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An
Evidence-Based Approach. New York: Mosby; 2001.
Fiero PL, Galper DI, Cox DJ, Phillips LH 2nd, Fryburg DA.
Thermal biofeedback and lower extremity blood flow in adults with
diabetes: is neuropathy a limiting factor? Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback.
2003;28:193-203.
Mathewson-Chapman M. Pelvic muscle exercise/biofeedback for
urinary incontinence after prostatectomy: an education program. J Cancer Educ.
1997;12:218-223.
Mind-body medicine: an overview. National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/mindbody.htm on June 12, 2008.
NIH Technology Assessment Panel. Integration of behavioral and
relaxation approaches into the treatment of chronic pain and insomnia. JAMA.
1996;276:313-318.
Pain control: a guide for people with cancer and their
families. National Cancer Institute Web site. Accessed at
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/paincontrol on June 12, 2008.
Scharff L, Marcus DA, Masek BJ. A controlled study of
minimal-contact thermal biofeedback treatment in children with migraine. J Pediatr Psychol.
2002;27:109-119.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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