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The use of biofeedback techniques with school-aged children exhibiting behavioral and/or learning problems

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Abstract

This article reviews 44 studies that investigated the efficacy of biofeedback techniques in treating childhood behavioral and learning disorders. Although the data suggest that children can learn voluntary control over a variety of physiological processes, methodological flaws make it impossible to specify the mechanisms responsible for such learning. Further, the data do not suggest that biofeedback techniques are superior to more conventional treatments in remediating learning or behavioral disorders. Suggestions for future research focus upon the elimination of methodological weaknesses, the use of more stringent diagnostic criteria, and the use of more sophisticated biofeedback equipment and procedures.

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Reference notes

  1. Baldwin, B. G., Benjamin, J. K., Meyers, R. M., & Grant, C. W.EMG biofeedback with hyperactive children: A time series analysis. Paper presented at the ninth annual meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America, Alburquerque, March 1978.

  2. Haight, M., Jampolsky, G., & Irvine, A.The response of hyperkinesis to EMG biofeedback. Paper presented at the seventh annual meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America, 1976.

  3. Jeffrey, T. B.The effects of operant conditioning and electromyographic biofeedback on the relaxed behavior of hyperkinetic children. Paper presented at the ninth annual meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America, Albuquerque, March 1978.

  4. Patmon, R., & Murphy, P. J.Differential treatment efficacy of EEG and EMG feedback for hyperactive adolescents. Paper presented at the ninth annual meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America, Albuquerque, March 1978.

  5. Shouse, M. N., & Lubar, J. F.Management of the hyperkinetic syndrome in children concurrent with sensorimotor rhythm biofeedback training. Paper presented at the seventh annual meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America, 1976.

  6. Shouse, M. N., & Lubar, J. F.Management of the hyperkinetic syndrome with methylphenidate and SMR biofeedback training. Paper presented at the eighth annual meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America, 1977.

  7. Cunningham, M. D., & Murphy, P. J.The effects of bilateral EEG biofeedback on verbal, visual-spatial, and creative skills in learning-disabled male adolescents. Paper presented at the ninth annual meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America, Albuquerque, March 1978.

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  1. University of South Carolina, USA

    Daniel E. Cobb & James R. Evans

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Cobb, D.E., Evans, J.R. The use of biofeedback techniques with school-aged children exhibiting behavioral and/or learning problems. J Abnorm Child Psychol 9, 251–281 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00919119

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