Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biofeedback and its Uses in Mind Body Problems in Children and Adolescents

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Mind/Body Integration in Child and Adolescent Development

Abstract

The biofeedback and modern neurofeedback toolsets are poised to be a pivotal asset in enhancing care for mental health disorders and physical health, among pediatric populations. These approaches rely upon operant conditioning and provide the patient with a unique opportunity to be engaged in their own treatment and develop an embodied sense of agency. While accessibility to biofeedback trained clinicians and resources is currently limited, the protocols are generally considered safe. Further research on the potential of biofeedback-based interventions with children and adolescents is merited.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • About biofeedback. (2022). Association for applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://www.aapb.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3463

  • Alneyadi, M., et al. (2021). Biofeedback-based connected mental health interventions for anxiety: Systematic literature review. Journal of Medical Internet Research MHealth and UHealth, 9(4), e26038.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, G. (2010). Chronic care: Making the case for ongoing care. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/reports/2010/rwjf54583

    Google Scholar 

  • Arena, J. G., et al. (1995). A comparison of frontal electromyographic biofeedback training, trapezius electromyographic biofeedback training, and progressive muscle relaxation therapy in the treatment of tension headache. Headache, 35(7), 411–419.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arndorfer, R. E., & Allen, K. D. (2001). Extending the efficacy of a thermal biofeedback treatment package to the management of tension-type headaches in children. Headache, 41(2), 183–192.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arns, M., et al. (2009). Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: The effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: A meta-analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3), 180–189.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Attanasio, V., et al. (1985). Clinical issues in utilizing biofeedback with children. Clinical Biofeedback & Health: An International Journal, 8(2), 134–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassotti, G., et al. (2004). Biofeedback for pelvic floor dysfunction in constipation. British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.), 328(7436), 393–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolek, J. E. (2003). A preliminary study of modification of gait in real-time using surface electromyography. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 28(2), 129–138.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brucker, B. S., & Bulaeva, N. V. (1996). Biofeedback effect on electromyography responses in patients with spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 77(2), 133–137.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgio, K. L., et al. (1998). Behavioral vs drug treatment for urge urinary incontinence in older women: A randomized controlled trial. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 280(23), 1995–2000.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, Y. T., & Steffen, P. R. (2018). Adding HRV biofeedback to psychotherapy increases heart rate variability and improves the treatment of major depressive disorder. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 131, 96–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, S. W., et al. (2011). Is alpha wave neurofeedback effective with randomized clinical trials in depression? A pilot study. Neuropsychobiology, 63(1), 43–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coben, R., & Padolsky, I. (2007). Assessment-guided neurofeedback for autistic Spectrum disorder. Journal of Neurotherapy: Investigations in Neuromodulation, Neurofeedback and Applied Neuroscience, 11(1), 5–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corrado, P., Gottlieb, H., & Abdelhamid, M. (2003). The effect of biofeedback and relaxation training on anxiety and somatic complaints in chronic pain patients. American Journal of Pain Management, 13(4), 133–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crider, A., Glaros, A. G., & Gevirtz, R. N. (2005). Efficacy of biofeedback-based treatments for temporomandibular disorders. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 30(4), 333–345.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Culbert, T. P., Kajander, R. L., & Reaney, J. B. (1996). Biofeedback with children and adolescents: Clinical observations and patient perspectives. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 17(5), 342–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. Corydon Hammond PhD. (2007). Can LENS neurofeedback treat anosmia resulting from a head injury? Journal of Neurotherapy: Investigations in Neuromodulation, Neurofeedback and Applied Neuroscience, 11(1), 57–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalkner, N., et al. (2017). Short-term beneficial effects of 12 sessions of neurofeedback on avoidant personality accentuation in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1688.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dalla Toffola, E., et al. (2005). Usefulness of BFB/EMG in facial palsy rehabilitation. Disability and Rehabilitation, 27(14), 809–815.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deepak, K. K., & Behari, M. (1999). Specific muscle EMG biofeedback for hand dystonia. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 24(4), 267–280.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Del Pozo, J. M., et al. (2004). Biofeedback treatment increases heart rate variability in patients with known coronary artery disease. American Heart Journal, 147(3), E11.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delk, K. K., et al. (1994). The effects of biofeedback assisted breathing retraining on lung functions in patients with cystic fibrosis. Chest, 105(1), 23–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duric, N. S., et al. (2012). Neurofeedback for the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD: A randomized and controlled clinical trial using parental reports. BMC Psychiatry, 12, 107.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs, T., et al. (2003). Neurofeedback treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children: A comparison with methylphenidate. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 28(1), 1–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ghandour, R. M., et al. (2019). Prevalence and treatment of depression, anxiety, and conduct problems in US children. The Journal of Pediatrics, 206, 256–267.e3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giardino, N. D., Chan, L., & Borson, S. (2004). Combined heart rate variability and pulse oximetry biofeedback for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Preliminary findings. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 29(2), 121–133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glazer, H. I., et al. (1995). Treatment of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome with electromyographic biofeedback of pelvic floor musculature. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 40(4), 283–290.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes, J. S., et al. (2016). A neurofeedback protocol to improve mild anxiety and sleep quality. Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil: 1999), 38(3), 264–265.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gruber, B. L., et al. (1993). Immunological responses of breast cancer patients to behavioral interventions. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 18(1), 1–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gruzelier, J. H. (2014). EEG-neurofeedback for optimising performance. III: A review of methodological and theoretical considerations. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 44, 159–182.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hardt, J. V., & Kamiya, J. (1978). Anxiety change through electroencephalographic alpha feedback seen only in high anxiety subjects. Science (New York, N.Y.), 201(4350), 79–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández-Vicente, A., et al. (2020). Heart rate variability and exceptional longevity. Frontiers in Physiology, 11, 566399.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hoedlmoser, K., et al. (2008). Instrumental conditioning of human sensorimotor rhythm (12-15 Hz) and its impact on sleep as well as declarative learning. Sleep, 31(10), 1401–1408.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Holliday, J. E., & Lippmann, M. (2003). Reduction in ventilatory response to CO2 with relaxation feedback during CO2 rebreathing for ventilator patients. Chest, 124(4), 1500–1511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karavidas, M. K., et al. (2006). Thermal biofeedback for primary Raynaud’s phenomenon: A review of the literature. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 31(3), 203–216.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karavidas, M. K., et al. (2007). Preliminary results of an open label study of heart rate variability biofeedback for the treatment of major depression. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 32(1), 19–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, A. H., et al. (2010). Impact of depression and antidepressant treatment on heart rate variability: A review and meta-analysis. Biological Psychiatry, 67(11), 1067–1074.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khen-Dunlop, N., et al. (2006). Biofeedback therapy in the treatment of bladder overactivity, vesico-ureteral reflux and urinary tract infection. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 2(5), 424–429.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Y.-J., et al. (2019). Neurofeedback treatment on depressive symptoms and functional recovery in treatment-resistant patients with major depressive disorder: An open-label pilot study. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 34, e287.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, I.-M., et al. (2016). Heart rate variability and the efficacy of biofeedback in heroin users with depressive symptoms. Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, 14(2), 168–176.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Linden, W., & Moseley, J. V. (2006). The efficacy of behavioral treatments for hypertension. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 31(1), 51–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mardon, R. E., et al. (2006). Management of urinary incontinence in Medicare managed care beneficiaries: Results from the 2004 Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1128–1133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Markiewicz, R. (2017). The use of EEG biofeedback/neurofeedback in psychiatric rehabilitation. Psychiatria Polska, 51(6), 1095–1106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marx, O. M. (1990). German romantic psychiatry: Part 1. History of Psychiatry, 1(4), 351–380.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKenna, K., et al. (2015). Ready, set, relax: Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation Training (BART) in a pediatric psychiatry consultation service. Psychosomatics, 56(4), 381–389.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Merikangas, K. R., et al. (2010). Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Disorders in U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication–Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(10), 980–989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monastra, V. J., et al. (2005). Electroencephalographic biofeedback in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 30(2), 95–114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moss, D. P. (2014). The use of biofeedback and neurofeedback in pediatric care. In R. D. Anbar (Ed.), Functional symptoms in pediatric disease: A clinical guide (pp. 285–303). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, H. H., et al. (2001). Treatment of fibromyalgia incorporating EEG-driven stimulation: A clinical outcomes study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57(7), 933–952.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muntner, P., et al. (2018). Potential US population impact of the 2017 ACC/AHA high blood pressure guideline. Circulation, 137(2), 109–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, A. A., et al. (2020). A randomized, controlled trial of alpha-rhythm EEG neurofeedback in posttraumatic stress disorder: A preliminary investigation showing evidence of decreased PTSD symptoms and restored default mode and salience network connectivity using fMRI. NeuroImage. Clinical, 28, 102490.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • NIH Consens Statement Online. (1996). Cervical Cancer 43(1), 1–38. https://consensus.nih.gov/1996/1996cervicalcancer102html.htm

  • Peper, E., Gibney, K. H., & Wilson, V. E. (2004). Group training with healthy computing practices to prevent repetitive strain injury (RSI): A preliminary study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 29(4), 279–287.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pop-Jordanova, N. (2000). Psychological characteristics and biofeedback mitigation in preadolescents with eating disorders. Pediatrics International, 42(1), 76–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Razeghian-Jahromi, I., Karimi Akhormeh, A., & Zibaeenezhad, M. J. (2022). The role of ANRIL in atherosclerosis. Disease Markers, 2022, 8859677.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ritz, T., Dahme, B., & Roth, W. T. (2004). Behavioral interventions in asthma: Biofeedback techniques. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 56(6), 711–720.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roth, G. A., et al. (2020). Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases Writing Group. Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors, 1990–2019: Update From the GBD 2019 Study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 76(25), 2982–3021.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Saxby, E., & Peniston, E. G. (1995). Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(5), 685–693.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, S. P., et al. (1990). Behaviorally treated irritable bowel syndrome patients: A four-year follow-up. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 28(4), 331–335.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sinnecker, D., et al. (2016). Expiration-triggered sinus arrhythmia predicts outcome in survivors of acute myocardial infarction. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 67(19), 2213–2220.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, M. J., et al. (2003). Randomized, controlled trial of biofeedback with anal manometry, transanal ultrasound, or pelvic floor retraining with digital guidance alone in the treatment of mild to moderate fecal incontinence. Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, 46(6), 703–710.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, N. J., et al. (2014). In-school neurofeedback training for ADHD: Sustained improvements from a randomized control trial. Pediatrics, 133(3), 483–492.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sterman, M. B. (2000). Basic concepts and clinical findings in the treatment of seizure disorders with EEG operant conditioning. Clinical EEG (Electroencephalography), 31(1), 45–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strehl, U., et al. (2006). Self-regulation of slow cortical potentials: A new treatment for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics, 118(5), e1530–e1540.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wenck, L. S., Leu, P. W., & D’Amato, R. C. (1996). Evaluating the efficacy of a biofeedback intervention to reduce children’s anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 52(4), 469–473.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whitney, D. G., & Peterson, M. D. (2019). US national and state-level prevalence of mental health disorders and disparities of mental health care use in children. The Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics, 173(4), 389–391.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woodford, H., & Price, C. (2007). EMG biofeedback for the recovery of motor function after stroke. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2007(2), CD004585.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, M. Q., et al. (2018). The effect of neurofeedback training for sport performance in athletes: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 36, 114–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, L. D., Bradley, L. A., & Turner, R. A. (1995). Decreases in health care resource utilization in patients with rheumatoid arthritis following a cognitive behavioral intervention. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 20(3), 259–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zucker, T. L., et al. (2009). The effects of respiratory sinus arrhythmia biofeedback on heart rate variability and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A pilot study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 34(2), 135–143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Aproteem Choudhury, Christina Clare, Snigdha Srivastava, Samuel Tullman, Lance Westendarp, Sana Younus & Kirti Saxena

Authors
  1. Aproteem Choudhury
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christina Clare
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Snigdha Srivastava
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Samuel Tullman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lance Westendarp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sana Younus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kirti Saxena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aproteem Choudhury .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Menninger Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    J. Martin Maldonado-Duran

  2. Pediatric Neurology, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Hollywood, FL, USA

    Andres Jimenez-Gomez

  3. Childrens Hospital, Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, Houston, TX, USA

    Kirti Saxena

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Choudhury, A. et al. (2023). Biofeedback and its Uses in Mind Body Problems in Children and Adolescents. In: Maldonado-Duran, J.M., Jimenez-Gomez, A., Saxena, K. (eds) Handbook of Mind/Body Integration in Child and Adolescent Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18377-5_37

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation