What about Biofeedback?

Bodhi Dharma Zen

Advaitin
Bodhi Dharma Zen
Joined
Nov 25, 2004
Messages
3,926
Regarding health problems like ADD, ADHD, migraines, headaches and even depression Im researching about this treatment (Biofeedback training) that appears to be good in the sense that it can complement drugs or even be a good stand alone treatment for such conditions.

I perceive it clearly above of "alternative" treatments like acupuncture, homeopathy, reiki and the likes... still, I would like to know the general opinion of the forum and if someone knows its actual effectivity beyond beliefs (maybe some scientific literature).
 
My half-@ssed commentary:

I've always likened biofeedback to meditation -- stress-reducing, and therefore related to healthier living, but not a treatment for disease in and of itself.

But I admit I haven't looked into biofeedback very much. Sorry I wasn't more help... :con2:
 
Sorry no science here but I have played around with a galvanic skin response gizmo a bit. I had a friend who was a genius in the true sense of the word (an inventor and researcher who helped to develop the laser) and he built one and an alpha wave gizmo just to play around with. If you hook yourself up to the galvanic gizmo and try to relax, the sensors will register a drop in skin electricity and if you keep trying eventually you will feel so good you will be stimulated and the sensor will register a rise. If a someone kisses you or someone punches your arm the sensors will register a rise. If someone asks you a question which strikes an emotional cord your skin electricity will go up. Fun to play with but other than to learn to relax no use. The alpha wave gizmo is cool if only to show someone you can control your alphawave production. Basically if you can really meditate you can raise your alphawave level so that is probably not too useful also. I could pump out the alpha waves wohoooo! These are two gizmos used for biofeedback training. What Nex said is probably true especially since those are usually promoted by bozo's.
 
Nex said:
My half-@ssed commentary:

I've always likened biofeedback to meditation -- stress-reducing, and therefore related to healthier living, but not a treatment for disease in and of itself.
Click to expand...

Well, in that case is exactly the same as drugs to take care of ADD or Migraines, they are not a cure, just a treatment. Question is, how effective is Biofeedback comparing it to medication?

So far, what I have found is that its about the same, which speak well about biofeedback techniques.
 
Now I am not a human doctor so I can't evaluate these studies as well as a human doctor but it looks like biofeedback as a type of physical therapy may be useful in certain diseases/problems. As far as how it compares to medication, I am not sure but there don't appear to be any studies about that although I did see one comparing propanolol with biofeedback for migraines. I don't know if propanolol is commonly prescribed for migraines and assume not since no one I know with migraines has taken it. It did however appear that biofeedback may be useful for migraines. However if relaxation is all that is needed then to really evaluate it you need to compare it also with relaxation techniques not using biofeedback.
 
Dogdoctor said:
It did however appear that biofeedback may be useful for migraines. However if relaxation is all that is needed then to really evaluate it you need to compare it also with relaxation techniques not using biofeedback.
Click to expand...

I have found some info regarding this, and yes, they are comparable. Biofeedback have the edge in the sense that it is a lot easier than other methodologies.

I guess that the slow response to this topic is based on the low "woo" factor regarding Biofeedback. This is an answer in itself, so Im grateful.
 
my biofeedback experience

Hi all,

Last year my university was looking for study volunteers for people interested in treating depression in a non-invasive/non-drug manner. It was free (free is good!), and I was searching for some help in treating my depression, so I answered their call. They hypothesized that biofeedback could lessen the effects of depression on general mood and activity levels. This was done via questionnaires, self-reports, etc.

So basically I was hooked up to an array of sensors for heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and body temperature. The biofeedback computer display was very interesting and the techniques were easy to follow. Basically I had to be conscious of breathing rates, and alter my breathing rates according to the computer prompts. Each session lasted about 40 minutes. After 12 weeks of 1x/week visits, the study leader said I did report better mood, increased activity levels, "pleasure" in life, etc. But I asked her how could they account for the seemingly confounding effects of doing these relaxation techniques (mindful breathing, etc) in a dimly lit room, which was quiet, and had nice pictures for me to look at and a really comfy chair in which to sit. The study leader was really pleasant too, and I enjoyed my conversations with her immensely. I don't remember the exact answer, but it was somewhere along the lines of "that's for a future study".

Nevertheless, I can't say that these techniques really helped, other than I can control my breathing rate for 10 min at a time. But the effect of the person doing the tests, the conditions within the test area I found very "soothing" has just as much chance of affecting my self-reported feelings as anything else during that time. Even taking the initiative to do something about my depression could be a factor.

So to echo many others who have touched on this topic - the situational effects maybe the valuable factors in helping to treat depression (albeit a mild form).

These days I do make sure to get daily doses of puppy love from my elderly dog as well :)
 
Thank you for sharing. I agree with your conclusions. I believe that its better for helping other conditions, but depression is a good field for research.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom