Biofeedback: The different types of machines used
So you’ve decided to add biofeedback to your clinical practice! Your next decision is what type of machine to use. While it’s important to consider the specifics of whatever machine you select, it’s equally important to choose the right type of machine for your practice. As a general rule, biofeedback machines can help with whatever they can measure, but different types of biofeedback measure different bodily functions. Before you begin looking at a particular manufacturer or distributor, it’s important to carefully consider the TYPE of machine that’s best for your patient.
The Different Types of Biofeedback Machines
EMG Biofeedback
Electromyography (EMG) measures muscular tension with sensors placed on the body. This type of biofeedback may be useful for things like pelvic floor training, and there’s some indication that it may be helpful for things like headaches. The down side to EMG biofeedback is that it’s ONLY useful on conditions where muscle tension is a part of the problem, and that it requires that sensors be placed directly on the affected muscles. Depending on which muscles are affected, this may require the patient to partially disrobe, which can increase the patient’s tension. EMG biofeedback has the advantage of being extensively studied and highly effective for certain conditions.
EEG Biofeedback
Electroencephalography (EEG) measures brain waves with sensors usually placed on the head. This type of biofeedback is often used in treating conditions with a strong psychological or neurological component. Unlike EMG biofeedback, the sensors are usually placed on the head and do not require the patient to be undressed, but EEG biofeedback has not been studied as extensively as EMG biofeedback and may not be as effective for all conditions.
Skin Temperature
Certain types of biofeedback measure changes to the body’s skin temperature produced by a patient in places where the sensors are placed. This type is useful primarily for teaching relaxation and other types of psychological training and coping techniques. Depending on the specifics of the machine, sensors may be placed on the hands, the arms, the legs, or any other part of the body. These machines measure the change in blood flow (which changes the skin temperature), usually in the extremities. There are some limited studies that indicate that relaxation training with skin temperature biofeedback might be useful in treating headaches, but skin temperature biofeedback has not been as extensively studied as EMG or EEG biofeedback.
Galvanic Skin Response Training
GSR training uses small electrical impulses to measure the electrical conductivity of the skin in response to stimuli. As sweat is produced, the skin on the surface becomes more conductive due to the salt and moisture. GSR training measures and assists with this, and it is extensively used in hypnotherapy and relaxation training. Some studies have examined GSR training as a tool for drug-resistant epilepsy, but much of the existing medical research seems to indicate that relaxation training (with or without GSR biofeedback) is the key element in treating conditions with GSR training. While GSR training may be a useful tool for assisting in relaxation training, much of the research indicates that the key element in usefulness is the relaxation training itself.
Heart Variability Biofeedback
Heart Variability Biofeedback is one of the oldest and most well-researched forms of biofeedback. This type of biofeedback uses sensors to monitor pulse, blood pressure, and heart rate. According to the principle that you can help with what you can measure, heart variability biofeedback is often recommended for stress and relaxation training. It’s often considered in relation to conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), as well as conditions like anxiety that often cause an increase in heart rate. However, heart variability can only be helpful in conditions where cardiac changes are clear and measurable.
Non-Linear Scanning Biofeedback
NLS biofeedback measures information being passed between cellular structures and biologic structures in the body. Sensors are placed in the headphones, so there’s no need for the patient to disrobe and there’s no sticky adhesive necessary to attach sensors to the body. Since biofeedback can only assist with what it can measure, NLS uses quantum entropy logic theory to measure information passing from one cell to another. In a healthy body, information can pass from one cell to the next with relative ease. When a cell is damaged, or when that cell’s communication path is blocked by a pathogen, it changes the manner in which information is shared between cells, and that change can be detected. This allows NLS biofeedback to examine changes at the cellular level, making it useful for a wider range of applications than in previous forms of biofeedback.
Oberon Biofeedback from Oberon Diagnostic
16519 62nd Ave E. Sumner WA 98390
E-mail: oberonnlsbiofeedback@gmail.com
Phone: (206) 334-6835
