Clinical application of the biofeedback therapy in rehabilitation medicine(Symposium in 2002 : Clinical Application of Biofeedback)

Abstract

The biofeedback therapy is one of the most popular methods for physiatrist. We use it for patients in order to strengthen muscle power, reduce abnormal muscle tone, improve range of motion and develop ideal motor function in the field of rehabilitation medicine. But the other field of medicine such as internal medicine and surgery, this therapy is not always known well as an effective method for treatment. So it is necessary for patients happiness to let them know the effectiveness of biofeedback therapy and its benefit. In this paper I will show you the diseases that biofeedback therapy is suitable for treating them and the scene of electromyogram (EMG) feedback using portable equipment. You will know the biofeedback therapy is not difficult in clinical use. Recently the biofeedback therapy is used for the patients of dysphagia to improve their swallowing function. For example in stroke patients EMG activity of the muscles that are concerned with swallowing is lower in paretic side than that in non-paretic side. So we can use the biofeedback therapy to strengthen the muscles around the throat in paretic side. Further more there is a new method to improve tongue movement using ultra sound. I also show you these new applications of biofeedback therapy and think about new epoch of this therapy.