Stress: Biofeedback Flashcards
What are examples of biological stress responses?
- Changes to heart and respiratory activity.
- Alterations in muscular tension.
- These changes are involuntary but it might be possible to learn to control them.
What is biofeedback?
A technique that trains people to improve their health by controlling certainly bodily processes.
What can biofeedback help with?
- Focus your mind
- Reduces headaches (stress related illnesses)
- Improve heart health.
What does biofeedback process involve?
Involves the individual being connected to a machine that provides feedback (visual or auditory) on ANS arousal/signs of stress e.g. HR, muscular tension.
What is the first step of biofeedback?
Electrodes are attached to your skin. Person attached to machine that monitors and gives feedback on heart rate.
What is step 2 of biofeedback?
Info sent to a monitoring box which translates measurements onto a computer box.
What is step 3 of biofeedback?
Person learns to control stress by deep breathing which slows heart rate and makes them feel relaxed. (Gone from High HR to moderate HR).
What is step 4 of biofeedback?
Relaxation acts like reward and encourages person to repeat this involuntarily - person learns to use it in real life situation.
(Now at a low HR).
What study supports biofeedback?
Budzynski
What was the aim of Budzynski?
Conducted research into the effectiveness of biofeedback as a way of treating tension headaches.
What was the procedure of Budzynski?
Assigned 18 participants into 3 groups.
- Group A = Biofeedback sessions
- Group B = Taught relaxation techniques
- Group C = Control group (no intervention)
What were the results of Budzynski?
Group A reported a significant decrease in headaches; shows biofeedback can be effective.
What are strengths of biofeedback?
- Effective for a range of health problems
- Lack of side effects
- Reduces pain
- Effective in children as well
What are limitations of biofeedback?
- Requires specialist equipment
- Can be more expensive + difficult to use at home
- Time consuming
- Implications for economy
