PSY 1C 01: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
UNIT–I: Learning - I
TOPIC: BIOFEEDBACK: PARADIGM AND
HISTORY
, BIOFEEDBACK: PARADIGM AND HISTORY
Biofeedback is a type of therapy that uses sensors attached to your body
to measure key body functions. Biofeedback is intended to help you
learn more about how your body works. This information may help you
to develop better control over certain body functions and address health
concerns. Biofeedback is built on the concept of “mind over matter.”
The idea is that, with proper techniques, you can change your health by
being mindful of how your body responds to stressors and other stimuli.
Chronic stress can have dramatic effects on your body. This may include
elevated blood pressure, increased body temperature, and disruption of
brain function. By promoting a more effective mental and physical
response to stress, biofeedback aims to help you control body processes
like your heart rate and blood pressure. These body processes were once
thought to be completely involuntary.
Types of biofeedback
The three most common methods of biofeedback include:
● electromyography (EMG) biofeedback: measures muscle tension
as it changes over time
● thermal or temperature biofeedback: measures body temperature
changes over time
● electroencephalography: measures brain wave activity over time
, Other types of biofeedback include:
1. galvanic skin response training: measures the amount of sweat on
your body over time
2. heart variability biofeedback: measures your pulse and heart rate.
The Purpose of Biofeedback
Biofeedback is aimed at combating stress through relaxation techniques.
You consciously manipulate your breathing, heart rate, and other usually
“involuntary” functions to override your body’s response to stressful
situations. Biofeedback appears to be most effective for conditions that
are heavily influenced by stress. Some examples include: learning
disorders, eating disorders, bedwetting, and muscles spasms.
Biofeedback may be used to treat numerous physical and mental health
issues, including:
1. asthma
2. incontinence
3. constipation
4. irritable bowel syndrome
5. side effects from chemotherapy
6. high blood pressure
7. Raynaud’s disease
8. chronic pain
9. stress or anxiety
UNIT–I: Learning - I
TOPIC: BIOFEEDBACK: PARADIGM AND
HISTORY
, BIOFEEDBACK: PARADIGM AND HISTORY
Biofeedback is a type of therapy that uses sensors attached to your body
to measure key body functions. Biofeedback is intended to help you
learn more about how your body works. This information may help you
to develop better control over certain body functions and address health
concerns. Biofeedback is built on the concept of “mind over matter.”
The idea is that, with proper techniques, you can change your health by
being mindful of how your body responds to stressors and other stimuli.
Chronic stress can have dramatic effects on your body. This may include
elevated blood pressure, increased body temperature, and disruption of
brain function. By promoting a more effective mental and physical
response to stress, biofeedback aims to help you control body processes
like your heart rate and blood pressure. These body processes were once
thought to be completely involuntary.
Types of biofeedback
The three most common methods of biofeedback include:
● electromyography (EMG) biofeedback: measures muscle tension
as it changes over time
● thermal or temperature biofeedback: measures body temperature
changes over time
● electroencephalography: measures brain wave activity over time
, Other types of biofeedback include:
1. galvanic skin response training: measures the amount of sweat on
your body over time
2. heart variability biofeedback: measures your pulse and heart rate.
The Purpose of Biofeedback
Biofeedback is aimed at combating stress through relaxation techniques.
You consciously manipulate your breathing, heart rate, and other usually
“involuntary” functions to override your body’s response to stressful
situations. Biofeedback appears to be most effective for conditions that
are heavily influenced by stress. Some examples include: learning
disorders, eating disorders, bedwetting, and muscles spasms.
Biofeedback may be used to treat numerous physical and mental health
issues, including:
1. asthma
2. incontinence
3. constipation
4. irritable bowel syndrome
5. side effects from chemotherapy
6. high blood pressure
7. Raynaud’s disease
8. chronic pain
9. stress or anxiety
