Biofeedback
Biofeedback, a process in which a person can learn to influence certain bodily functions that scientists once believed were beyond conscious control. Through the use of electronic monitoring devices the person can become aware of patterns formed by fluctuations in blood pressure, pulse rate, skin temperature, and other indicators of bodily functions. Once aware of these patterns, most individuals can learn to exert some degree of conscious control over the function being monitored.
The electronic monitoring devices feed back information from equipment wired to a particular part of the body. The monitored information may be in the form of flashing lights or bleeping sounds that speed up or slow down to indicate changes in the function being monitored. The information may also be recorded on a long sheet of moving graph paper.
Although biofeedback techniques are still experimental, scientists have found that most persons can be trained to concentrate on the particular bodily activity being monitored and to alter that activity. For example, individuals can be trained to consciously relax tense muscles or to raise or lower blood pressure.
Although biofeedback techniques have been studied since the 1960's, scientists do not know exactly how the process works. However, it is known that stressful events can trigger physiological responses such as gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure, and migraine headaches. Biofeedback, when combined with relaxation techniques, can help treat these stress-induced ailments, as well as epilepsy and some heart disorders. Biofeedback monitors are often used to determine the extent of muscle damage in stroke victims.