Biofeedback FAQ

There are virtually no limits to the variety of biofeedback exercises. The biofeedback devices can display your parameters in the form of a light bulb, for example, which you can make light up, or you can control a fish with your breathing using waves.

You can find therapists for biofeedback and neurofeedback, for example, in the Therapist database of the European Biofeedback Academy

Technically correct is Neurofeedback a subcategory of biofeedback. However, as the former deals with brain activity and the latter, in common parlance, with „peripheral“ parameters such as muscle tension, it has become customary to separate the two methods linguistically.

The word training was chosen deliberately. If the client does not co-operate, nothing will happen with biofeedback. Just like riding a bike, a skill is actively learnt. This is even central in terms of self-efficacy. We don't want to make the client dependent on a device.

Stress tests usually take place very early on in the work with biofeedback. The reactions to stress stimuli (such as unpleasant noises or difficult tasks) and the subsequent relaxation phase are recorded. This is why it is now more commonly referred to as a „stress and relaxation profile".).

The result of the stress profile is usually the starting point for planning the training.

Yes, biofeedback and neurofeedback can be used with children from the age of 6 and is very popular with this client group. A major advantage is the playful approach. Using child-friendly templates, the child can, for example, fly a kite through the air and train „on the side“.

In recent years, more and more small home devices for biofeedback and neurofeedback have come onto the market. These regularly work in conjunction with apps.

Even if we cannot recommend such small devices for professional stand-alone training, home devices such as the Mindwave good for familiarising yourself with the method in a playful way. They can also be used in combination with a medical system operated by a professional to enable clients to train additionally at home.

However, counselling and instruction from a therapist or trainer is essential for professional use.

Even though the names sound similar, the two methods have virtually nothing in common. Biofeedback is a scientifically recognised method of behavioural medicine, while for Bioresonance there is no evidence of efficacy.

In most cases, the costs for biofeedback and neurofeedback are unfortunately not covered by health insurance. If the methods are used as part of „health insurance procedures“ (such as psychotherapy), they may be covered by health insurance.

Neurofeedback in occupational therapy can be billed for ADHD if there is a corresponding medical basis.

Pelvic floor biofeedback is a special form of EMG biofeedback that is used for incontinence and general pelvic floor complaints (including erectile dysfunction). For this purpose, adapters for vaginal and anal electrodes are attached to the EMG sensors. If this is not desired or too invasive, surface electrodes can also be attached to the perineum.

Both methods are used in clinical settings by doctors and therapists and in non-clinical settings by coaches and counsellors (e.g. in prevention or competitive sport).

The question of the duration of biofeedback is highly dependent on the disorder to be treated. If the aim is simply to show the client the connection between emotions, thoughts and the body by means of an "aha" experience, one session is often enough.

In the case of anxiety disorders, improvements were seen after just 6-12 sessions, in Raynaud's disease 5-10 and in severe cases of ADHD 40 sessions of neurofeedback may be necessary. Depending on time availability, it is advisable to Target criteria and to define the training as complete when these have been achieved.

Key elements of treatment with biofeedback and neurofeedback are relaxation, control and self-efficacy. Especially in the case of chronic illnesses, the feeling of not being helplessly at the mercy of the illness is often very supportive.

There are now many books on biofeedback and neurofeedback. You can find a comprehensive list here.

Insight Instruments and the European Biofeedback Academy have published the work Biofeedback and neurofeedback in training and education A basic work for users and researchers, Kropfreiter, Brunner, Stefka - ISBN: 978-3-200-05819-4, which is available free of charge to newsletter subscribers.

Autogenic training, progressive muscle tension, mediation - the question of whether you should use these techniques OR biofeedback can be answered by replacing the OR with an AND. Biofeedback can prove the effectiveness of other methods and improve their effectiveness.

Biofeedback is simply a tool that can be used within the legally permitted framework. Doctors and therapists therefore use it for clinical disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders, while coaches and trainers use it again in non-clinical areas such as prevention or performance enhancement.

Via the sensors of a Biofeedback device parameters of the client are measured. The client receives this feedback via a screen. The client learns to understand and subsequently influence these processes.

Meta-analyses have shown medium to large effect sizes for biofeedback and neurofeedback. A Review of the AAPB categorised 40 disorders as „Probably effective“, „Effective“ and „Effective and specific“, including ADHD, depression and pain disorders.

The advantages of biofeedback are manifold. The method ...

• ...is non-invasive
• ...can reduce the need for medication or even make it unnecessary
• ...could be an alternative treatment if medication is not tolerated, does not ...work well or is not an option (e.g. in the context of pregnancy)
• ...can help to gain insight and understanding and thus open clients to a bio-psychosocial model of illness in the first place
• ...objectively assess stress reactions and clearly demonstrate which relaxation method works best for which client.
• ...strengthen the sense of control
• ...motivate through the immediate visibility of successes
• ...objectively demonstrate training progress

The range of biofeedback parameters extends from sweating of the hands to muscle tension and neuronal activity - see also „What is being measured?“

Biofeedback is made up of the terms „bios“ for „life“ and „feedback“, which explains the principle very well. Physical parameters are reported back to the client.

See also the point on pelvic floor training. Biofeedback is a highly effective treatment for incontinence and is the gold standard of training in the USA. Clients train the pelvic floor using EMG biofeedback and vaginal and anal electrodes.

There is no biofeedback specifically for men, but there are some complaints that are only treated in men for biological reasons alone. These include, for example, training after prostate surgery or for erectile dysfunction.

There is no biofeedback specifically for men, but there are some complaints that are only treated in women for biological reasons alone. These include, for example, training against menstrual cramps or complaints during pregnancy.

Yes, both biofeedback and exercises of the Mindfulness improve your own body awareness. This is often limited, especially in the case of chronic complaints. Biofeedback can make the mindfulness sessions more „effective“ and also make the client aware of physiological processes in such conditions.

With us you get professional systems for biofeedback and neurofeedback. You are intended for professional users such as doctors, psychologists and therapists.

Yes, in addition to the clinical applications of biofeedback and neurofeedback, applications in the fields of personnel development, counselling and coaching (especially in sport) have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Yes, both neurofeedback and biofeedback can be used here. On the one hand to demonstrate deeply relaxed states, on the other hand to achieve them more quickly.