Biofeedback therapy uses measurements such as breathing, muscle tension or heart rate to show how your body responds in real time. A practitioner can use those readings to guide an exercise and help you notice changes you might otherwise miss.
What the sensors measure
The equipment depends on the goal. A breathing sensor can show the pace of your breathing, while surface sensors can track changes in muscle activity. The screen or sound gives you feedback as you practice. Ask what the reading shows and how the practitioner interprets it.
What happens during training
A practitioner may take a starting measurement and then have you try an exercise such as relaxing your jaw or adjusting your breathing. You compare the readings and how you feel before and after each try. The longer-term goal is to use the skill outside the appointment.
Ask how progress will be measured
Research and clinical uses vary by condition and by the type of feedback. Ask what outcome the provider expects, how many sessions they suggest, what it will cost, and when you will reassess if the approach isn’t helping.
For more detail, see NIH’s overview of biofeedback-assisted relaxation. Also see How Biofeedback Therapy Works for another part of this series.