What is Biofeedback Therapy?
Biofeedback is a process that allows you to control functions that are usually involuntary reactions of the nervous system, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and skin temperature. This is done by connecting electrical sensors to the user in order to receive feedback from their body. With biofeedback therapy, the user is given access to tools and relaxation techniques needed to make subtle adjustments to, as well as fine tune their body’s functions in order to effectively deal with health conditions.
Biofeedback therapy can help consumers deal with a wide assortment of mental and physical health issues, such as:
- Anxiety or stress
- Asthma
- Chronic pain
- Constipation
- High blood pressure
In addition, biofeedback therapy is non-invasive and can reduce or eliminate the need for traditional medications, all while helping people take control of their health.
The Role of ECG Biosensors in Biofeedback Therapy
ECG biosensors can be embedded to enable wearable and mobile devices. When they are paired with specific algorithms, they produce, clear, easy-to-understand interpretations of the data being collected during biofeedback therapy. This data is collected by measuring heart rate variability (HRV), which measures heart beat variations over a period of time. When HRV data is collected and paired with NeuroSky’s ECG algorithms, it can be used to provide feedback on a number of different health indicators, including stress levels and mood.
To put this into perspective, high stress levels can cause mood swings and anxiety (among other issues), both of which can negatively affect both emotional and physical health. Using biofeedback therapy to measure HRV can aid consumers in understanding which situations trigger these high stress reactions ahead of time and can help them make the lifestyle changes required to live healthier lives.
Using Biofeedback Therapy to Combat Fatigue
High levels of fatigue can be dangerous. Fatigue can make it difficult to complete tasks, which can lead to changes in mood and cause more long term, serious problems. Biofeedback therapy can help consumers identify when their fatigue levels are high, so they can take the proper steps to adjust their daily plans (or longterm lifestyle habits) in order to be more refreshed and ready to face their day.
What Type of Consumer Would Benefit from Biofeedback Therapy?
Biofeedback therapy requires device manufacturers to make it accessible to the consumers who will benefit from it most. For example, consumers in high pressure jobs could potentially use biofeedback therapy to prepare for their work day and maximize the time they spend on and off the job. Elderly consumers may also see benefit from biofeedback therapy, though device manufacturers may face difficulty in making in-roads with this traditionally technology-averse demographic.
Biofeedback Therapy: Using the Mind to Heal the Body
Device manufacturers who choose to harness biofeedback therapy for use in their wearable or portable product will quickly find themselves at the forefront of personal health and wellness technology for consumers. For more information on how wearable biosensors can help consumers track and make important changes in their lives, download our FREE whitepaper, Wearable Solutions for Improving Heart Health & Wellness.
