How to do Clinical Biofeedback in Psychosomatic Medicine : An Illustrative Brief Therapy Example for Self-Regulation

Abstract

Biofeedback interventions, based on the psychophysiological principle that thoughts, emotions, and body interact, affecting each other, have been shown to be powerful clinical tools for use in psychosomatic medicine settings and primary care settings where 75% of patients may present with symptoms of unknown causes. This paper describes both overt and covert factors supporting successful biofeedback training. Highlighted biofeedback approaches addressed are: a) dynamic uses of the stress profiling; b) reframing the patients' experiences as a result of normal or even excessive biological reactions; and, c) details of cardiorespiratory feedback practices. The clinical example is illustrated by the description of a two session intervention for a 20 year old woman to reduce symptoms of chronic anxiety and crying. This case illustrates that clinical biofeedback is more than just attaching sensors or having the person mechanically practice some prescribed behavior.