Multimedia and its Effects on Biofeedback Training

Abstract

The personal computer whwich has appeared in a market recently can realize environment of multimedia easily. A characteristic of multimedia is digital handling of information and an integration of media such as the picture, graphics and sound. Another important function of multimedia is interactive exchanges of information by a network. An interesting function of multimedia is the communication that is various and combined sensory concurrence. Biofeedback is the communication that can be put within a body and a mind. In regard to the communication, biofeedback and multimedia have distinctive feature in common. The multimedia-based biofeedback system which we have used is polygraph, personal computer, 12bit A/D converter, video capture board and video camera. In this study, integrated EMG and a picture of posture were used as a feedback signal. Ss operated a computer mouse pointing device while watching EMG and posture picture that was indicated on the CRT simultaneously. Ss trained their exercises more eagerly by using technique of multimedia. It was suggested that multimedia was effective to raise a motivation on biofeedback training. In 1996, internet began to be used for many peaple in Japan. If generally internet spreads, biofeedback training system in home will be possible. The progress of a hardware and software will bring new field and possibility on biofeedback research.