Review of the Studies in the Use of Biofeedback Therapy in Rehabilitation and Physiatrics of Neurological Patients

Abstract

Objective of the Review: To collect information, analyse and evaluate previous studies in the use of biofeedback in neurological patients. Key Points. Despite the wide practical application and a lot of available publications, the level of evidence of this method is low because of a small sample size and the challenges with biofeedback mechanism description. A review of various types of biocontrol, its mechanisms and developments shows that drug-free therapy using only patient’s resources (organic, psychological, emotional and volitional) can activate the mechanisms of neuroplasticity, which are poorly studied. Still, it does not prevent from using biocontrol for the therapy of patients and/or prevention of various diseases in healthy population. Conclusion. Biofeedback therapy has proven to be a safe, relatively efficient and easy-to-use method. However, organisation of a large-scale double blind randomized trial is one of the predominant directions in the future. Keywords: biofeedback, biocontrol, neurofeedback, biofeedback therapy.