Background: Biofeedback is a non-invasive therapeutic method used independently or as an adjunct alongside other methods. Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of biofeedback in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Methods: The sample consisted of 85 individuals with anxiety symptoms who underwent neuro-biofeedback therapy using Brain Boy Universal Professional. Anxiety was assessed by both the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale (SAS) before the initiation and after completing ten sessions with biofeedback. Results: Before biofeedback and based on the HAM-A scale, 27.0% of the individuals showed mild to moderate anxiety, 16.5% medium anxiety, and 56.5% severe anxiety. After the completion of biofeedback, 90.6% of the individuals experienced mild to moderate anxiety, 5.9% medium anxiety, and 3.5% severe anxiety. Based on the SAS scale, before biofeedback, 42.4% of the individuals showed minimal to moderate anxiety, 21.2% marked severe anxiety and 36.5% most extreme anxiety. After the biofeedback, 68.2% of the individuals were within a normal range, 27.1% had minimal to moderate anxiety, 4.7% marked severe anxiety, and none in most extreme anxiety. Conclusion: Both HAMA-A and SAS scales showed statistically reduced anxiety levels after biofeedback therapy. Thus, the primary symptom of anxiety can be addressed by the biofeedback method.
Background: Biofeedback is a non-invasive therapeutic method used independently or as an adjunct alongside other methods. Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of biofeedback in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Methods: The sample consisted of 85 individuals with anxiety symptoms who underwent neuro-biofeedback therapy using Brain Boy Universal Professional. Anxiety was assessed by both the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale (SAS) before the initiation and after completing ten sessions with biofeedback. Results: Before biofeedback and based on the HAM-A scale, 27.0% of the individuals showed mild to moderate anxiety, 16.5% medium anxiety, and 56.5% severe anxiety. After the completion of biofeedback, 90.6% of the individuals experienced mild to moderate anxiety, 5.9% medium anxiety, and 3.5% severe anxiety. Based on the SAS scale, before biofeedback, 42.4% of the individuals showed minimal to moderate anxiety, 21.2% marked severe anxiety and 36.5% most extreme anxiety. After the biofeedback, 68.2% of the individuals were within a normal range, 27.1% had minimal to moderate anxiety, 4.7% marked severe anxiety, and none in most extreme anxiety. Conclusion: Both HAMA-A and SAS scales showed statistically reduced anxiety levels after biofeedback therapy. Thus, the primary symptom of anxiety can be addressed by the biofeedback method.
Authors: Julian F Thayer; Fredrik Ahs; Mats Fredrikson; John J Sollers; Tor D Wager Journal: Neurosci Biobehav Rev Date: 2011-12-08 Impact factor: 8.989