As a complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) technique, biofeedback falls into my category of “cool CAM things to try,” for several reasons: 1) it is unlikely to hurt you; 2) it may actually help you; and 3) it provides instant feedback that you are doing something right. While I don’t think that I would turn to biofeedback to solve many (or most) of my multiple sclerosis symptoms, I will definitely give it a try for mild sensory symptoms, sleep problems, mild cognitive problems and as a way to reduce stress.
What Is It?
Biofeedback taps into the mind-body connection for healing purposes. Formal biofeedback therapy uses monitoring equipment to translate different bodily reactions into pictures or sounds. Which equipment is used depends on what is being measured and what specific symptom or condition the person wants to address. These include:- Skin resistance biofeedback (also known as galvanic skin response or GSR) monitors persipiration and is most commonly used to address stress and anxiety issues.
- Finger pulse biofeedback monitors pulse rate and is used for stress reduction, but also for general relaxation and cardiac issues.
- Brainwave biofeedback montiors brain activity and is often used to improve concentration, learning, relaxation and sleep.
- Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback monitors muscle tension and is used to help reduce spasticity as well as help people learn to regain control over cetain muscles.
- Neurofeedback or electroencephalography (EEG) measures brain wave activity and is used for depression, as well as stress and anxiety disorders.
What Is It Used For?
Biofeedback is used for several conditions, including stress, anxiety, insomnia, different types of pain, blood pressure, ADHD, migraine headaches, and alcohol and drug use. It is also used for cognitive rehabilitation and PTSD treatment.How Is It Supposed to Work?
Biofeedback is supposed to give a person “control” over involuntary body processes by having the person respond to the feedback from the monitoring system to produce the desired response (such as slowing the pulse or relieving tension in muscles). While this has been shown to be effective for some immediate things, such as stress levels and heart rate, it is difficult to prove sustained impact.
However, many people believe that biofeedback is indirectly beneficial, as people experience improvements in self-confidence, a greater feeling of control, and are instantly given information about their physical functioning as a result of mental activity. All of these things seem especially important in a neurological disorder such as MS.
What Happens During a Treatment?
The sensors for the monitoring equipment will be attached with adhesive (location depends on equipment). The therapist will then explain what the feedback from the machine means, whether this is a change in tone that the person can hear, brightness of lights on a visual meter or lines on a computer screen. He will then lead the patient in a series of mental exercises, during which the patient tries to elicit the desired response from the monitoring equipment. Sessions last between 30 to 60 minutes.How Effective Is It for MS?
Biofeedback has been studied in people with MS on a very limited basis. In one study of 18 MS patients with bowel dysfunction (constipation and/or fecal incontinence) who performed biofeedback, 8 of these reported improvement (6 complete improvement). In another study of 13 MS patients with bowels dysfunction, 5 showed improvement. Some improvement was shown in a study of women with MS using EMG biofeedback for urinary incontinence, although others have not shown benefit for this problem.
Although not conducted in people with MS, several studies have shown biofeedback to be potentially beneficial for spasticity, pain, depression, reduced cognitive functioning and other disorders common to MS.
How Much Does It Cost?
Biofeedback is most effective when done in a therapeutic setting, such as by a neuropsychologist or trained therapist. Fees for a biofeedback session range from 35 to 85 dollars. The usual recommended course of treatment is ten sessions. Depending on an individual's plan, insurance may cover the costs of these sessions.In many cases, once the patient has reached a certain level of “competency” in the technique (or is working on a less severe problem), many biofeedback techniques can be done at home with very simple equipment, such as a hand-held GSR monitor. These can be obtained fairly inexpensively (about 100 dollars for basic models).
Are There Any Risks?
Biofeedback has few risks, although should be used with caution and under medical supervision in people with heart conditions or severe mental disorders, such as psychosis or personality disorders. Some people report temporary anxiety, disorientation or dizziness after a biofeedback session.Additional Tips and Information
To find a biofeedback therapist, ask your doctor. The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (formerly the Biofeedback Society of America) can also help you find a trained biofeedback professional, as well as further information about biofeedback. They can be reached at 1-800-477-8892 or through their website www.aapb.org.Sources:
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