Organized session 3 What is biofeedback? : Consideration concerning the definition based on psychology(Definition of biofeedback)

Abstract

Biofeedback developed initially from discussions on learning theories in psychology. It was originally thought that autonomic responses were learned by classical conditioning only. However, Neal E. Miller (1969) indicated that acceleration and deceleration of heart rates in rats could be learned by operant conditioning by applying stimulation to the brain when the target change in heart rate took place. Furthermore, Joe Kamiya (1969) showed that subjects could discriminate the state of alpha wave and control the wave using a device that presented a sound when alpha waves were detected. We cannot generally regulate our autonomic responses or activities of the central nervous system; however, these studies indicate that involuntary responses could be controlled using techniques in which information on physiological states is given to the subject. These discussions and methodologies have led to the development of biofeedback. The essential aspect of biofeedback is the process in which information on the physiological states of an organism is returned to the organism itself. It is possible to consider that the information on physiological states includes various contents, such as behavior, posture, changes in body weight, changes in facial expression and complexion, and results of medical checkups. Such a wide definition of biofeedback will expand the region of biofeedback research and contribute to development of this research.