Biofeedback Flashcards
What is Biofeedback?
A technique where the person is wired up to a machine that records their heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension etc.
Why can the person see their biofeedback on a monitor?
A specialist will teach them how to bring the heart rate down by using breathing techniques
What is the aim of biofeedback?
To teach the person how to reduce their bodies response to stress so they can practice the technique in real life
How is biofeedback a behaviourist method?
Involves operant conditioning as relaxation is being positively reinforced which will increase the likelihood of the same behaviour being repeated
What did Lemaire et al do?
Gave biofeedback based therapy sessions to 40 medical doctors 3 times daily for 27 days, with the stress levels then monitored for a further 28 days, there was a similar control group who received no biofeedback
What did Lemaire et al find?
The stress levels of the biofeedback group decreased significantly and were maintained, no such improvements were seen by the control group, biofeedback can reduce doctors stress levels improving their job capability
What did Zauszniewski et al do?
Taught 20 grandmothers to use a biofeedback machine and relaxation techniques and got them to apply the therapy at home for 4 weeks, data concerning stress and negative thoughts and emotions was collected by questionnaires and interviews
What did Zauszniewski et al find?
Significant improvements in stress levels were noted at 2, 8 and 14 weeks after using therapy. Biofeedback can reduce and maintain reductions in their stress levels having a positive impact on the economy
What are 3 evaluation points?
- Relatively expensive as specialist equipment is used
- Effective in a range of participants
- Takes longer than drug therapy but not as long as SIT
