Transcuataneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) analgesia as a non-drug method has received people's more and more attention recently. Considering problems of existing products, such as unstable performance and unsatisfied effectiveness, we developed a new analgesia therapy system for delivery based on bio-feedback TENS in our laboratory. We proposed a new idea for stimulation signal design, that is, we modulated a middle frequency signal by a traditional low frequency TENS wave in the new system. We designed different prescription waves for pain relief during a uterine contraction or massage between contractions. In the end, a bio-feedback TENS method was proposed, in which the waveforms of stimulation signals were selected and their parameters were modified automatically based on feedback from uterine pressure, etc. It was proved through quality tests and clinical trials that the system had good performance and satisfied analgesia effectiveness.
Analgesia ; methods ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Pain Management ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; methods ; Uterine Contraction

Non-drug treatment of hypertension has become a research hotspot, which might overcome the heavy economic burden and side effects of drug treatment for the patients. Because of the good treatment effect and convenient operation, a new treatment based on slow breathing training is increasingly becoming a kind of physical therapy for hypertension. This paper explains the principle of hypertension treatment based on slow breathing training method, and introduces the overall structure of the portable blood pressure controlling instrument, including breathing detection circuit, the core control module, audio module, memory module and man-machine interaction module. We give a brief introduction to the instrument and the software in this paper. The prototype testing results showed that the treatment had a significant effect on controlling the blood pressure.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; methods ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; therapy ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; instrumentation

Adult ; Aged ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; methods ; Depression ; therapy ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Biofeedback with or without combined autogenic training is known to be effective for the treatment of migraine. This study aimed to examine the effect of biofeedback treatment on headache activity, anxiety, and depression in Korean female patients with migraine headache. Patients were randomized into the treatment group (n=17) and monitoring group (n=15). Mood states including anxiety and depression, and psychophysiological variables such as mean skin temperature of the patients were compared with those of the normal controls (n=21). We found greater treatment response rate (defined as > or =50% reduction in headache index) in patients with biofeedback-assisted autogenic training than in monitoring group. The scores on the anxiety and depression scales in the patients receiving biofeedback-assisted autogenic training decreased after the biofeedback treatment. Moreover, the decrease in their anxiety levels was significantly related to the treatment outcome. This result suggests that the biofeedback-assisted autogenic training is effective for the treatment of migraine and its therapeutic effect is closely related to the improvement of the anxiety level.
Adult ; *Affect ; Analysis of Variance ; Anxiety ; Autogenic Training/*methods ; Biofeedback, Psychology/*methods ; Body Temperature ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders/*therapy ; Republic of Korea ; Severity of Illness Index

This Stroke Rehabilitation Apparatus uses the electromyography triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation as the means of the major therapeutics, and the fastigial nucleus stimulation as the means of the assistant therapeutics. This paper introduces the overall structure of the apparatus, the principle of its component, the EMG processing based on local nonlinear projective filtering algorithm and the alternating treatment modes. The therapeutic apparatus has the features of non-invasiveness, safety, convenience and strong alternating capability.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; instrumentation ; Electromyography ; methods ; Humans ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; Psychomotor Performance ; physiology ; Recovery of Function ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; Stroke Rehabilitation

We undertook this work to compare the treatment efficacies and the changes of quality of life after pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise and the functional electrical stimulation (FES)-biofeedback treatment, both of which are being widely used as conservative treatment methods for female urinary incontinence. We randomly selected 60 female incontinence patients who visited our department and divided them evenly into two groups. They were treated for a period of 6 weeks. The subjective changes in the severity of incontinence and discomfort in daily and social life were measured using a translated version of the questionnaire by Jackson. Objective changes of pelvic muscle contraction force were measured using a perineometer. Pre- and post-treatment maximal pelvic floor muscle contractile (PMC) pressure and changes in the severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort of the two groups showed statistically significant differences (p>0.001). In particular the FES-biofeedback group showed significantly increased maximal PMC pressure and a decreased severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort compared to the intensive PFM exercise group (p>0.001). In conclusion, FES-biofeedback proved more effective than simple PFM exercise.
Activities of Daily Living ; Biofeedback (Psychology)* ; Exercise Therapy*/methods ; Female ; Human ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; Pelvic Floor ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/therapy* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/psychology ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/prevention & control ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology

We undertook this work to compare the treatment efficacies and the changes of quality of life after pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise and the functional electrical stimulation (FES)-biofeedback treatment, both of which are being widely used as conservative treatment methods for female urinary incontinence. We randomly selected 60 female incontinence patients who visited our department and divided them evenly into two groups. They were treated for a period of 6 weeks. The subjective changes in the severity of incontinence and discomfort in daily and social life were measured using a translated version of the questionnaire by Jackson. Objective changes of pelvic muscle contraction force were measured using a perineometer. Pre- and post-treatment maximal pelvic floor muscle contractile (PMC) pressure and changes in the severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort of the two groups showed statistically significant differences (p>0.001). In particular the FES-biofeedback group showed significantly increased maximal PMC pressure and a decreased severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort compared to the intensive PFM exercise group (p>0.001). In conclusion, FES-biofeedback proved more effective than simple PFM exercise.
Activities of Daily Living ; Biofeedback (Psychology)* ; Exercise Therapy*/methods ; Female ; Human ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; Pelvic Floor ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/therapy* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/psychology ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/prevention & control ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology

INTRODUCTIONConstipation is a common affliction affecting the general population, with dyssynergic defaecation accounting for a large proportion of tertiary referrals. We sought to review the results of our patients with dyssynergic defaecation treated with biofeedback therapy in order to determine its efficacy.

METHODSAll patients who were referred to the anorectal physiology laboratory of our tertiary unit for biofeedback therapy for dyssynergic defaecation were reviewed. Patients diagnosed with secondary constipation and slow-transit constipation were excluded. A defaecating proctogram was used to exclude anatomical abnormalities causing outlet obstruction. Patients underwent a four-session, structured biofeedback exercise programme under the supervision of trained nurses. The effectiveness of biofeedback treatment was assessed using the validated Eypasch's Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI).

RESULTS226 patients (85 male, 141 female; median age 48 years) underwent biofeedback treatment. Post treatment, improvement was observed in the overall total score of the GIQLI, with gastrointestinal symptom (68.6%), emotion (61.0%) and physical function (57.9%) components showing the most improvement. These improvements were also reflected in the mean scores of each component and the mean total score. All components, except for social function and medication, and the overall total score showed significant improvement post treatment. At the one-year follow-up, 160 (71%) patients reported that improvements were maintained.

CONCLUSIONBiofeedback is an effective treatment for patients with dyssynergic defaecation. Patients with chronic constipation not improved by fibre and laxatives should be referred to a tertiary centre with facilities for further anorectal physiological assessment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ataxia ; therapy ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; methods ; Child ; Constipation ; therapy ; Defecation ; physiology ; Emotions ; Female ; Gastroenterology ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Satisfaction ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the predictive capability of anorectal physiologic tests for unfavorable outcomes prior to the initiation of biofeedback therapy in patients with dyssynergic defecation. We analyzed a total of 80 consecutive patients who received biofeedback therapy for chronic idiopathic functional constipation with dyssynergic defecation. After classifying the patients into two groups (responders and non-responders), univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors associated with the responsiveness to biofeedback therapy. Of the 80 patients, 63 (78.7%) responded to biofeedback therapy and 17 (21.3%) did not. On univariate analysis, the inability to evacuate an intrarectal balloon (P=0.028), higher rectal volume for first, urgent, and maximal sensation (P=0.023, P=0.008, P=0.007, respectively), and increased anorectal angle during squeeze (P=0.020) were associated with poor outcomes. On multivariate analysis, the inability to evacuate an intrarectal balloon (P=0.018) and increased anorectal angle during squeeze (P=0.029) were both found to be independently associated with a lack of response to biofeedback therapy. Our data show that the two anorectal physiologic test factors are associated with poor response to biofeedback therapy for patients with dyssynergic defecation. These findings may assist physicians in predicting the responsiveness to therapy for this patient population.
Adult ; Aged ; Anal Canal/*physiopathology ; Ataxia/*physiopathology/therapy ; *Biofeedback, Psychology ; *Constipation/physiopathology/therapy ; Defecation/*physiology ; Defecography/methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Rectum/*physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation after normal delivery. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 49 (experimental group: 25, control group: 24) postpartum women who passed 6 weeks after normal delivery without complication of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. The experimental group was applied to the pelvic muscle enforcement program by biofeedback and electrical stimulation for 30 minutes per session, twice a week for 6 weeks, after then self-exercise of pelvic floor muscle was done 50-60 repetition per session, 3 times a day for 6 weeks. Maximum pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (MPPFMC), average pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (APPFMC), duration time of pelvic floor muscle contraction (DTPFMC) and the subjective lower urinary symptoms were measured by digital perineometer and Bristol Female Urinary Symptom Questionnaire and compared between two groups prior to trial, at the end of treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that MPPFMC, APPFMC, DTPFMC were significantly increased and subjective lower urinary symptoms were significantly decreased after treatment in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation might be a safer and more effective program for reinforcing pelvic floor muscle after normal delivery.
Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Biofeedback (Psychology)/*methods ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Delivery, Obstetric/adverse effects/methods ; Electric Stimulation/*methods ; Exercise Therapy/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Muscle Contraction ; Nursing Evaluation Research ; Parity ; *Pelvic Floor/physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Puerperal Disorders/etiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/etiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control ; Urodynamics