Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths globally. Strokes especially cause the most disabilities at an older age. Despite efforts and advances to remedy the current levels, there is a substantial increase in the number of patients each year. This is because these conditions are age-related and increase as the older population rises. Most strokes leave the patient with motor disabilities that need correcting in order to resume normal functionality. The effects of stroke are varied but the common ones involve the decreased strength of muscle contraction and intense but dysfunctional contractions. Rehabilitation centers are using new technologies in rehabilitation and recovery of strokes and other conditions. These are either used together with the old methods or totally replace them. One such technology is biofeedback. Biofeedback is the close observance of body movements in order to provide immediate statistics in form of a light or a needle movement. It uses the concept similar to that of a mirror, whereby the patients’ are allowed to view limb movement in order to master and reinforce lost motor functions. Various researches have been done to determine its effectiveness. The effects of biofeedback are positive and credible, but research needs to be done further on its effectiveness and limitations to enhance quantification of its effectiveness.
Strokes affect the processing of necessary sensory response in patients. This is mainly because of the limited ability to acquire and learn motor skills because the normal movement of the body is not perceived correctly. It is discovered that biofeedback can rejuvenate and lead to learning of control of major muscles. Visual feedback provided in biofeedback has been noted to help in overcoming this impedance by giving the patients a view of their movements and allowing them to practice to obtain the necessary response. Awareness of the movements being made consciously prompts the patient to attempt to correct the abnormal movement (Walker & Cole, 1980). Knowledge of results is also a motivating factor to patients. Research on the effectiveness of biofeedback has revealed that it is effective and produced better and efficient results in patients as opposed to other methods of motor rehabilitation. The method has been found to be successful particularly in rehabilitating upper-body limbs and gain of independence and normalcy for example, using a fork and holding a glass (Garrido-Montenegro, Álvarez-Espinoza & Vergara-Ruiz, 2016). The success is extended to other parts of the patient’s affected body parts. The knowledge acquired from the movements in upper body parts can be transferred to other activities such as making meals that reduce dependence on healthcare institutions.
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Biofeedback helps in identification of muscles that are dysfunctional. The electromyogram (EMG) enables the identification and monitoring of neuromuscular performance (Glanz, Klawanski & Chalmers, 1997). This makes it simpler to focus on particular muscles movements that need to be trained. Woolley-Hart, Musa and Rodgers (1977) opine that the effective use of biofeedback is reliant on improved knowledge of a specific function which leads to an enhanced ability to control the particular response (Walker & Cole, 1980). In a typical biofeedback process, a wire electrode is put on the limb that has lost functionality. When the patient moves the muscle, an electrical signal is transmitted from the electrode to a screen where it is attached (A Rehab Revolution, 2004). The feedback from the monitor gives information on the patient’s every limb movement. This can easily be used to enhance recovery by encouraging the patient to exercise the unresponsive muscles. Biofeedback is useful in identification and correction of muscles working against each other (A Rehab Revolution, 2004). This way the patient trains deliberately on the affected muscles.
The loss of motor functions often come as a result of changes in the central nervous system parts that control motion. In a research to study the effects of biofeedback, a patient selected was tested on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) particularly in gait training, and neural activity results collected before and after administration of biofeedback. Changes in neural functionality were noted. These observations are viewed as attempts to revert to normal functioning of the body’s physiology. The motor area together with the cerebellum seemed to be the most relevant areas between those considered, being most involved during the execution of the voluntary movement” (Din et al, 2014). According to the research, there were reduced, more concentrated stimulation of particular neurological parts as the patient moved the limbs while observing the monitor. After the process, the patient was also observed to be using both the affected and the unaffected parts of the brain. This indicates a positive response to the therapy method used.
Biofeedback is instrumental in the treatment and rehabilitation of muscles in stroke patients. The effects are varied but the most notable ones are improved muscle coordination and due to the consciousness limbs in motion. This also provides encouragement to the patient. In identifying the muscles in motion and the ones that are contracting or abnormally active, the patient is able to reinforce the intended motions. This provides specified training which increases the probability of success. Brain activity is primarily affected and is the cause of unexplained motions. In a study presented, the brain activity of the patient is seen to be changed significantly, with the increased use of parts affected by the stroke. This indicates attempts to return to normal functioning and if reinforced can lead to accusation of substantial recovery in movements.
References
A Rehab Revolution. (2004). Biofeedback. Stroke Connection Magazine . Retrieved from http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/LifeAfterStroke/RegainingIndependence/PhysicalChallenges/Biofeedback_UCM_310625_Article.jsp#.W7cz0NAzbIV
Din, S., Bertoldo, A., Sawacha Z., Jonsdottir, J., Rabuffetti, M., Cobelli, C., & Ferrarin, M. (2014). Assessment of biofeedback rehabilitation in post-stroke patients combining fMRI and gait analysis: a case study. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation .
Garrido-Montenegro, M., Álvarez-Espinoza E., & Vergara-Ruiz, S. (2016). Use of EMG biofeedback for basic activities of daily living training in stroke patients. Pilot randomized clinical trial. Retrieved from http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/rfmun/v64n3/0120-0011-rfmun-64-03-00477.pdf
Glanz, M., Klawansky, S., & Chalmers, T. (1997). Biofeedback therapy in stroke rehabilitation: a review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 90(1), 33–39. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1296113/?page=1
Walker, M., & Cole, J. (1980). Biofeedback in treatment of stroke. Retrieved from https://ac.els-cdn.com/S0004951414608126/1-s2.0-S0004951414608126-main.pdf?_tid=eedc4cd3-ca2b-4e66-9f3e-7b70772d9c94&acdnat=1538740665_d1aaaff3307c4373c83125ef44a3d576
