Biofeedback: Definition
The notion of biofeedback is relatively new to healthcare, yet it has already become an essential tool in performing the assessment of a patient’s systems and the problems in the functioning thereof. Biofeedback is known as the approach “based on ‘operant conditioning’ techniques and uses instruments such as electromyography (EMG) sensors, balloons or manometry” (Skardoon, Khera, Emmanuel, & Burgell, 2017, p. 411).
Thus, the introduction of biofeedback and neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback), which specifically focuses on the control of the nervous system, techniques into healthcare strategies will expand the range of opportunities for addressing a range of health issues (Skardoon et al., 2017). Biofeedback and EEG biofeedback can be extraordinarily useful for healthcare professionals working in a range of domains, from cardiology to gastroenterology since the described concepts imply gaining control over one’s systems and, thus, managing the functioning of the related organs.
Understanding the Nervous System and Finding Ways to Alleviate Disease and Pain
A profound understanding of the mechanisms of the nervous system and the specifics of its functioning is critical to the provision of effective care and the management of patients’ needs. To determine the connection between the identified notions, one will need to take a close look at the mechanism of pain. When receiving damage, the nerve cells in the affected tissue send the signal to the brain by releasing the chemical that causes the body to recognize the pain and take the necessary measures to address it (Keith, Rapgay, Theodore, Schwartz, & Ross, 2015). Therefore, dissecting the role of the nervous system in the recognition of damage to the body will help to locate the sources of discomfort and damage, thus informing a healthcare professional about possible solutions. The profound knowledge
Biofeedback-Based Interventions: Advantages and Disadvantages
To alleviate pain with the help of the nervous system analysis, one will need the support of a biofeedback-based intervention. Specifically, the application of neurofeedback will be required to solve a specific issue in the functioning of a nervous system. The use of the described type of intervention is justified by its educational potential. Due to the opportunities that biofeedback provides for raising awareness about the biological systems of a patient and the ways of manipulating them, it can be used for addressing chronic conditions (Keith et al., 2015).
Among the problems that are typically associated with biofeedback and specifically EEG biofeedback, its cost is typically mentioned first. Due to the complexity of the process and the resources that it consumes, as well as the fact that the field of EEG biofeedback requires further research, the process is very difficult to perform, which entails large expenses.
Ethical Considerations Related to Biofeedback-Based Interventions
Several ethical concerns have to be addressed before the introduction of biofeedback and EEG biofeedback into the set of strategies for managing patients’ health issues. The selection of treatment approaches and the physical contact with a patient are two issues that are mentioned most frequently when considering the use of biofeedback and neurobiofeedback (Marzbani, Marateb, & Mansourian, 2016). It is critical to establish rigid rules for healthcare practitioners to comply with when performing a physical examination of a patient (Marzbani et al., 2016). Thus, possible concerns of mismanaging patients’ needs will be prevented effectively.
Biofeedback-Based Interventions: Personal Point of View
I believe that the application of biofeedback-based treatment strategies requires in-depth research. Though there is evidence about the positive effects of biofeedback, it needs a more refined set of rules and approaches to treatment to ensure that health issues are addressed properly. However, I can imagine that biofeedback will be useful in handling the process of patient education when addressing a case of a migraine. Although I have never used biofeedback, I would recommend considering the use of the described practice combined with other interventions to counteract possible difficulties in applying EEG and traditional biofeedback to practice.
References
Keith, J. R., Rapgay, L., Theodore, D., Schwartz, J. M., & Ross, J. L. (2015). An assessment of an automated EEG biofeedback system for attention deficits in a substance use disorders residential treatment setting. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29(1), 17-25. Web.
Marzbani, H., Marateb, H. R., & Mansourian, M. (2016). Neurofeedback: A comprehensive review on system design, methodology, and clinical applications. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 7(2), 143-158. Web.
Skardoon, G. R., Khera, A. J., Emmanuel, A. V., & Burgell, R. E. (2017). Dyssynergic defaecation and biofeedback therapy in the pathophysiology and management of functional constipation. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 46(4), 410-423. Web.