Biofeedback in the workplace

Biofeedback and neurofeedback are increasingly being used in the workplace. These are two slightly different areas that have become established practice. On the one hand, their use in workplace health promotion is based on the approach of protecting employees as a preventative measure. On the other hand, the method is also used to promote peak performance among high achievers (e.g. in management).

Biofeedback in workplace health promotion

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has Stress as one of the the greatest health threats of the 21st century identified.¹ Stress factors are particularly widespread in the workplace and can have serious consequences for employees’ health. Given the high costs that can arise from absenteeism due to burnout, more and more companies are investing in workplace health promotion to counteract this trend.²

Biofeedback has proved to be an extremely effective method of stress management. The main advantage of biofeedback lies in its ability to provide objective feedback on an individual’s stress levels. This can initially be assessed, for example, through a short stress test that reveals the physiological responses to stress. This feedback is displayed on a screen, allowing the often subjective impression of being stress-free to be verified. This can be a revealing moment for many people and serves as the initial spark to motivate them to explore stress management techniques.

Another advantage is the method’s playful approach. The desire to make progress and „achieve a deeper state of relaxation this time“ can significantly boost motivation. This motivation can be particularly important for adults who may find it difficult to get enthusiastic about traditional relaxation techniques.

Biofeedback to promote excellence in the workplace

Biofeedback is not only a method for managing stress, but also a tool for enhancing performance. Particularly in management and other high-pressure professions, tension, anxiety and fear can impair professional performance. Biofeedback can help to improve the ability to self-regulate in such situations. Techniques for taking effective short breaks and managing stress are taught in order to maximise performance.

A more advanced approach is neurofeedback, which focuses on regulating brain activity. Neurofeedback can help to promote specific brainwave patterns associated with increased concentration and cognitive performance. This is particularly valuable for professionals who need to maintain their mental clarity and performance in stressful or demanding situations.

A study involving managers revealed that HRV biofeedback as effective in improving cardiac autonomic balance and in reducing stress-related psychophysiological outcomes³. In industrial settings, on the other hand, it was shown that a respiratory biofeedback programme – in which participants practised a breathing pattern designed to promote relaxation – resulted, after five weeks, in significantly lower scores for depression, anxiety and stress in the biofeedback group compared with the control group⁴. Finally, biofeedback can also be used to help students cope with stress (e.g. caused by a new life situation or high demands)⁵.

In addition, biofeedback can also be helpful in dealing with everyday stressors, such as the daily commute and the associated „daily hassles“ like traffic jams. A study has shown that biofeedback led to significant improvements in psychological test scores and cortisol levels in people suffering from everyday stress.⁶

Conclusion

Biofeedback and neurofeedback offer valuable tools for improving occupational health and performance. Whilst biofeedback helps to identify and manage stress at an early stage as part of workplace health promotion, it also helps to boost staff motivation. Neurofeedback, on the other hand, supports the optimisation of cognitive functions and enhances performance in a workplace context. Both methods have proven to be effective approaches to improving well-being and performance and represent a worthwhile investment for companies wishing both to protect their employees’ health and to promote their peak performance.