A Review of Biofeedback for Mental Disorders
Ann D. Futterman M.A.1 and
David Shapiro Ph.D.2
1 The Department of Psychology, The University of California, Los Angeles
2 The UCLA Department, The UCLA School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90024
Although biofeedback was developed by psychologists, it has been most widely used in the treatment of psychophysiological and medical disorders and less frequently used to control symptoms of psychopathology and mental disorders. The authors review studies in which biofeedback was used in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, alcobol and drug dependence, and tardive dyskinesia. The studies indicate that biofeedback can help selected patients modify specific responses or response patterns associated with a mental disorder. It appears to be most suitable for patients and disorders in which physiological processes can be identified as relevant. However, the findings offer little support for biofeedback as the treatment of choice for any mental disorder.
