Kinesiology 2276F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Biofeedback, Electromyography, Electrodermal Activity

• School: Western University
• Department: Kinesiology
• Course: Kinesiology 2276F/G
• Professor: Craig Hall

Document Summary

Biofeedback is the use of sophisticated equipment to note psycho-physiological responses through visual and auditory feedback. Innate potential to influence automatic, involuntary functions of the body with the mind. Ex: hr, respiration rate, skin conductance, temperature, muscle tension. Designed to enable you to use your thoughts to control your body. Biofeedback is often considered a type of complementary/alternative medicine. Anxiety/stress, asthma, backaches, chemo, chronic pain, constipation, headaches, high bp, phobias and stuttering. May be an option to complement unsuccessful past treatments. Main goal is to control involuntary functions. Ex: woman monitors an auditory signal of her own heart rate and attempt by using thoughts, feelings, and sensations to slow her heart rate down. Once she learns the feelings associated with the reduction of heart rate, biofeedback instrument providing auditory signal is removed and she tries to control it on her own. The provision of biofeedback requires the appropriate instrument. The following 4 measurement techniques are more commonly used.