You probably have heard about Biofeedback devices as they’ve been around since the 1940s.
Biofeedback devices are extremely sophisticated machines made for physiological recording. They are designed to measure changes in muscle tension, body temperature, and brain wave activity over a specified time period.
Using Biofeedback devices has a little science fiction attached to it. Thus, many people find it difficult to choose the best ones depending on their requirements.
This article has presented some of the best devices designed for receiving biofeedback to address serious health issues.
So, let’s get started.
These are a few comparisons (pros and cons) regarding these listed Biofeedback devices.
Best Devices For Mind-Body Health: Top Picks Reviewed
1. Electromyography (EMG)
2. Thermal Biofeedback
3. Galvanic Skin Response Training
4. Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback
5. Electrocardiograms (ECG)
6. Electroencephalographs (EEG)
7. Interactive Computer and Mobile Device Programs
8. Wearable Devices
9. Electrodermographs (EDG)
10. Pneumographs
11. Photoplethysmographs (PPG)
12. Hemoencephalographs (HEG)
13. Capnography
14. Rheoencephalographs (REG)
15. Respiration
Best Biofeedback Devices Comparison
1. Electromyography (EMG)
Let us first begin with the EMG, as it is popularly called. The EMG device is used to measure muscle activity.
This style is used to curb conditions like muscle stiffness, urge incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency, stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, headaches, stress, tooth grinding, and chronic pain to attain this state.
Sensors are usually connected to affected muscles to force healing and reconditioning.
Pros
- The therapist uses EMG to evaluate muscle performance
- Uses sensors to detect and measure muscle action potentials
- Therapist use EMG to treat worry, anxiety, hypertension, chronic pain, headache, and a whole lot of sicknesses
Cons
- Recording of EMG signal is sometimes painful
2. Thermal Biofeedback
This form of Biofeedback allows patients to wear sensors that detect blood flow to the skin.
Since people normally experience a decrease in their body temperature through stress, devices like this help people better detect periods when they begin to become distressed.
It is a common practice to get information about skin temperature and blood flow.
Pros
- Detects skin temperature
- Provide data on skin temperature
- For hand–warming and hand-cooling technique
- To treat edema, headache, stress, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Cons
- You need to be a professional to use this device.
3. Galvanic Skin Response Training
With this type of Biofeedback, an amount of sweat on the skin’s surface is measured to determine the stages of emotional stimulation.
Thermoregulatory functions are not only triggering sweating; emotional arousal can also trigger sweating.
The more people get stimulated, the higher their kin conductance will become. This is an approach commonly used to deal with stress, phobias, and stuttering.
Pros
- Can trigger sweating
- It can be used to detect levels of emotional sensation
- Used to measure the amount of sweat on the surface of the skin
Cons
- Not for everyone
4. Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback
This is another biofeedback practice that helps patients monitor and control heart rate to improve lung function and blood pressure and reduce stress and anxiety.
Pros
- Measures pulses
- Measures the heart-rate of patients
- Uses sensors to connect to patient’s body
- Used to monitor disorders like asthma and depression
Cons
- Not for everyone
5. Electrocardiograms (ECG)
The next Biofeedback device we will look at is the Electrocardiogram. This device provides health practitioners with information about heart rate variability (HRV) and the heart’s electrical properties.
It uses sensors that are normally placed on the legs, wrist, and torso to measure the heart’s electrical properties and distances between succeeding heartbeats.
Comparatively, the ECG technique has proven to be accurate and perfect in measuring heart rate variability than the PPG technique.
Pros
- Uses electrodes to measure the electrical activity of the heart
- The ECG technique is more accurate and perfect than the PPG in measuring HRV
- Therapists use biofeedback to treat depression, asthma, anxiety, abdominal pain, and heart disease
Cons
- Not for everyone
6. Electroencephalography (EEG)
The EEG is normally used to measure brainwaves and help people learn how they can see and change their brainwave activity by detecting certain brainwave configurations.
EEG, also called neurofeedback, can aid decrease impulsivity and improve attention. It can also help treat head injuries, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, mild depression, and recovery from head injuries and stroke.
Pros
- It uses electrodes to detect voltage
- Records and monitors potentials that occur in cells
- It is used to measure the electrical activation of the brain
- Shows the amplitude and relative power of several waves
- Used to treat addiction, depression, worry, learning disability, and anxiety disorder
Cons
- Needs a neuro therapist to treat certain kind of diseases
7. Interactive Computer And Mobile Device Programs
These devices measure physiological changes like skin changes and heart rate activity by connecting one or more sensors from a computer to your ear or fingers.
Through the device, you can use graphics and signals from a computer to control stress by relaxing your muscles, pacing your breathing, and thinking positively.
Great devices in improving stress and feeling of calm and well-being.
Pros
- Monitors brain activity when meditating
- Uses a mobile device or computer to work
- Measures physiological changes in the body
- Can conquer stress by relaxing your muscles
- Uses sound to show when the mind is active or calm
Cons
- It does not work if there’s no computer or phone
8. Wearable Devices
There are other devices in the form of sensors you can wear on your waist to track and monitor breathing patterns through a downloaded app.
We are all familiar with smartwatches and other wearable technology like Fitbits. These are used to track fitness and to get in shape.
The app can alert you when you have persistent tension and help restore your calm by guiding you on certain breathing activities.
Pros
- Regulate breathing activities to calm patients
- Can decrease stress and lower blood pressure
- Monitors patient’s breathing patterns
- It uses an app to track breathing patterns
Cons
- The FDA does not regulate many of those used at home
9. Electrodermograph (EDG)
The EDG device is used to measure the electrical activity of the skin. It works by placing electrodes or sensors on the wrist or hand.
This process enacts current across the skin and monitors and measures how effortlessly it moves through the skin.
Using the EDG, therapists can treat stress, anxiety disorder, excessive sweating and improve patient awareness of their emotions.
Pros
- It measures the anxiety level of a person
- It makes patients aware of their emotions
- It measures the electrical activity of the skin
- Used to treat hyperhidrosis, stress, and disorder
- It measures the amount of opposition encountered by current
Cons
- Need a therapist to use the device
10. Pneumographs
Pneumographs measure chest contraction, chest expansion, respiration rate by placing sensors around the chest region or abdomen region.
Therapists use this device to identify and modify dysfunctional breathing arrangements and performances.
Dysfunctional breathing patterns consist of gasping, apnea, clavicular breathing, wheezing and sighing.
Pros
- It can measure the respiratory rate
- Uses sensors to connect to the abdomen, and chest region
- It provides feedback on the expansion and contraction of the chest and abdomen
- Therapists use this device to diagnose patients with asthma, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, stress, and hypertension
- Health practitioners use pneumograph to identify and change dysfunctional breathing arrangements and behaviors
Cons
- Not for everyone
11. Photoplethysmography (PPG)
With this type of Biofeedback, sensors are attached to the fingers to measure the blood flow. This process occurs when infrared light is reflected off or transmitted through a patient’s tissues, recognized by a phototransistor, and measured in units.
When blood flow is greater, less light has been absorbed to increase the intensity of the light to the sensors.
It can measure blood volume pulse, which can be noticed with each heart rate, heartbeat, and heart rate variability.
Pros
- Used to measures blood flow
- It can be used to monitor blood volume pulse
- It uses a phototransistor to detect transmitted and reflected light
- Monitors changes in blood volume with each heart rate, heartbeat, and heart rate variability
- It can be used to complement temperature feedback when treating edema, hypertension, headache, chronic pain, stress, and anxiety
Cons
- Not for everyone
12. Hemoencephalography (HEG)
The Hemoencephalography type of Biofeedback is used to perform practical infrared imaging methods.
It measures the changes in the color of light redirected backward over the scalp based on the quantity of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the brain.
It is a sure technique for treating migraines and performing research.
Pros
- It is used to treat migraines
- It can be used to perform scientific research
- It uses infrared imaging technique to measure the differences in the color of light
Cons
- Researches are still being done to prove its reliability
13. Capnography
The Capnograph or capnometer uses detectors in the infrared electromagnetism light range to measure the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in expired air.
A susceptible device for indexing the quality of patient breathing. Therapists use the capnometer to complement the respiratory strain gauge with patients who have been identified with asthma, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder, stress, and hypertension.
Pros
- Determines the off patient breathing
- It can be used to augment respiratory strain gauge
- It measures the partial pressure of CO2 in used air
- Therapists use this device to diagnose asthma, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, stress, and hypertension
Cons
- Need a therapist to guide you through
14. Rheoencephalography (REG)
This is a biofeedback procedure used to control blood flow. Sensors are connected to the skin at certain sections of the head to constantly measure the tissues’ electrical conductivity situated in-between the electrodes.
This method is built on the on-aggressive process of gauging bio-impedance. Modifications are generally created by blood flow and blood volume.
Pros
- It can be used to control blood flow
- It uses a non-invasive method to measure bio-impedance
- Therapists attach electrodes to the skin to measure the electrical conductivity of tissues
Cons
- Not for everyone
15. Respiration
You can monitor rhythm, rate, and the method of breathing through this process. This usually occurs by wrapping a strain gauge around your waist and chest region to examine asthma, chest pain, hyperventilation, and panic.
Pros
- It can be used to monitor stress, anxiety, and tension
- Used to measure respiration rate and associated data
- Measures the electrical activity near the surface of the brain
Cons
- Need to consult a healthcare provider before use
Things To Consider Before Investing In Biofeedback Devices
1. Price
The only thing they want to know about these Biofeedback devices is how costly these products are for several people. Unfortunately, there’s no precise price for these devices.
Costs can differ significantly. It starts from $35 to $85 per Biofeedback session. Prices can show a discrepancy depending on the qualification, training, and experience of the Biofeedback clinician.
In-home Biofeedback devices and wearable devices range considerably, with some even costing as low as $20 and more for expensive ones.
2. Effectiveness
Biofeedback is usually regarded as a mode of training instead of a treatment procedure. When practicing and training, you can use the Biofeedback device to help develop new techniques to better deal with health situations or perform.
For a session to be effective, patients need to play an important role in the treatment, and regular practice has to happen in-between sessions.
3. Warranty
The warranty of all new Biofeedback devices is catered for by the manufacturer. The warranty policy can often be found on the website of the institution you seek to purchase from.
So if for whatsoever reason you fail to be satisfied with your Biofeedback device, you are always and often given a chance to return it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
#What Is Biofeedback And How Does It Work?
Biofeedback is a therapy method that involves using sensors connected to different parts of your body to regulate and measure certain involuntary biological functions like blood pressure, blood flow, heart rate, skin temperature, and muscle tension.
A biofeedback therapist explains situations to you and guides you through relaxation techniques.
Through the monitor, you can see your blood pressure and heart rate change to answer stress or be relaxed.
Primarily, you will have to use the monitor to achieve this state, but along the line, you can attain success without the monitor or electrodes.
This process permits people to change their physiological activity so that they can improve health.
#What Can Biofeedback Do?
Biofeedback helps people to see the physiological effects of stress and the behavior of people as it occurs.
From this, a person becomes conscious of the effects in his/her body, and by using feedback, every necessary change is made.
#What Are The Advantages Of Biofeedback?
Through Biofeedback, you can see the effects of chronic behavior on a health problem.
You become mindful of the harmful effects of chronic stress by observing the processes taking place in your body.
Also, you can see and train the physiological effects of relaxation techniques. It is tremendously helpful in helping with stress-associated conditions and any illness linked to lifestyle.
Headache, burn-out, migraine, hypertension, and hyperventilation can all be curbed using the Biofeedback technique.
#What Is The Difference Between Biofeedback And Neurofeedback?
You probably have heard of Biofeedback as it has been around for a while. Biofeedback is a tool that allows people to connect sensors to their bodies to receive feedback on what is taking place in their bodies.
This helps in managing health problems. On the other hand, neurofeedback allows people to use their own brain waves to improve communication between areas of their brain. This helps in controlling emotions and behaviors.
#Are There Risks In Using A Biofeedback Device?
A report from Mayo Clinic reveals that Biofeedback is generally safe. So far, we’ve had no opposing views, or side effects reported.
But before you use the Biofeedback technique, make sure you’ve received advice and guidance from your doctors, for we are not totally clear if Biofeedback is for everyone.
#Who Can Perform Biofeedback?
Though anyone can use Biofeedback, the FDA highly recommends that a certified provider pre-arrange the use of Biofeedback.
#Can Biofeedback Be Done Remotely?
Fortunately, the indigo quantum Biofeedback technique has been demonstrated to be effective when performed remotely at any distance.
For through quantum theory, we know that there is no separation of time and space. The universe is filled with a chunk of information we can all access at any time.
Therefore, distance doesn’t affect or limit the effects of Biofeedback training.
#What Are The Three Stages Of Biofeedback Training?
There are three primary stages or phases involved in Biofeedback training. Namely, the conceptualization phase, the skills-acquisition and rehearsal phase, and the transfer of treatment phase.
Conclusion
Here is an explanation of the examples and types of Biofeedback devices and information to help you know the decision to take if you or someone needs one.
In the past 20 years, there’s been enough evidence to prove that health problems such as stress, hypertension, chronic pain, temporomandibular joint disorder, digestive disorders, abnormal heart rhythms, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, panic disorder, and anxiety can all be treated with Biofeedback devices.
While these health problems are a frightening experience, treatment can be done to help people lead a normal life.