Biofeedback Therapy
Immediate Feedback Makes Change Obtainable
Different Types of Biofeedback
Trying to get through information on Biofeedback can be overwhelming, as this technique of understanding and controlling the brain and body has been around since the 1950’s. When first studied, it focused on the body’s autonomic responses and brainwaves, and as the field grew, understanding of muscle tension and skin temperature were studied into the 1970’s.
Currently, there are a number of different modalities in use.
Electromyogram (EMG) - Regulate and gain control of muscle movement (to relax or strengthen) to aid in chronic pain, rehabilitation, and incontinence
Thermal - Monitor temperature and skin conductance to manage vascular issues
Passive Infrared (PIR) - Improve blood flow and oxygenation to the front lobe to improve focus, emotional regulation, and even help manage migraines
Electrodermal (GSR) - Measures sweat gland activity to gauge stress and emotional response
Respiratory - Measures breathing patterns and rate to help gauge and manage stress response
Heartrate Variability (HRV) - Measures the interval between heartbeats to reduce stress and anxiety
Heartrate Variability Respiration (HRV-Resp) - Method based on both HRV and Respiratory Biofeedback
Mind Brain Solutions offers all modalities of Biofeedback, yet chooses to use Heart Rate Variability Respiration (HRV-Resp) as our main solution for anxiety and stress. It is often seen as the gold standard in Biofeedback Therapy, and offers additional parameters not available in consumer “HRV” pulse-only systems. Lastly, Heart Rate Variability with Respiration Biofeedback training can indirectly lower muscle tension, raise temperature, and decrease GSR in most situations, given the added benefit of combining the HRV and Respiration methodologies.
Biofeedback is an integrated mind-body therapeutic technique that uses sensors to monitor involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension to provide real-time data to help create change.
Mind Brain Solutions uses the results of our Psychophysiological Assessment to determine what solutions are right for you, including Biofeedback Therapy.
Learn more about this assessment, as well as how your Autonomic Nervous System can be better understood.
Learning to recognize and manage your body’s physiological responses allows you to manage a healthier response in a “fight or “flight” situation moving forward.
Benefits of Biofeedback Therapy
Teach your mind-body connection how to once again operate correctly
Psychological Benefits
Increase your tolerance to stress
Recover from stressful situations faster
Improve sleep
Decrease agitation
Decrease anxiety
Increase in focus and energy due to handling stress in a more beneficial way
Physiological Benefits
Regulate your automic nervous system
Decrease muscle tension
Slow your heart rate and breathing
“A scoping review was conducted by analyzing six studies focusing on slow breathing and HRV biofeedback. The included studies involved healthy adults aged between 18 and 60 years, free from major cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological disorders.
Conclusion: Slow breathing and HRV biofeedback are effective, non-invasive interventions for improving autonomic regulation, vagal tone, and stress resilience. These techniques hold promise for managing chronic conditions and enhancing cardiovascular and mental health.”
Belgian Neurological Society
Session Specifics
HRV-Resp Biofeedback is a simple, non-invasive therapy in which one sensor strap is placed around the stomach, and one sensor is placed on the finger. As you sit comfortably in front of a screen, technical data will run on the lower portion of the display, while the majority of the screen is a peaceful video or engaging game, providing real-time visual feedback on your progress. For instance, the more you breathe correctly, the more vivid the image is or the faster the game moves. The goal is to breathe in a 4-part cycle that has been personalized for you within the program, helping to lower heart rate and regulate breathing patterns. Session minimum is 10 minutes, with 20+ minutes being typical for the highest success. Consistency is the name of the game with this therapeutic solution.
Experience Biofeedback Therapy at Home
Biofeedback sessions are run in the comfort of your home with Mind Brain Solutions team member assistance as needed via remote session. You will have received training on how to set-up and run your sessions, and will also benefit from ongoing support from MBS throughout the training.
MBS will assist with equipment options for your home.
Training time varies, but research supports our Mind Brain Solutions 6-Week Biofeedback Program.
Personalized for Success
Did you know everyone has a slightly different inhale vs exhale ratio and amount?
The Biofeedback software used by Mind Brain Solutions has a fully adjustable format. The breathing curve allows the MBS clinician to change all 4 parts of the breathing cycle - inhalation, hold, exhalation, hold -to create optimal results for you.
Just like training for a sport, Biofeedback is based on the motivation and self-reliance to learn and practice a skill you know will benefit you in the long run.
The Importance of Biofeedback From Dr. Ferroly
Biofeedback is…
“A process that enables an individual to learn how to change physiological activity for the purposes of improving health and performance…The presentation of this information — often in conjunction with changes in thinking, emotions, and behavior — supports desired physiological changes. Over time, these changes can endure without continued use of an instrument.”
Taken from: The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA), and the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR)