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2. Biofeedback from control theory perspective
Biofeedback uses sensors that can monitor varieties of different
physiological processes. The ongoing information is then fedback to the person
in visual or auditory form. With this information, the person can become aware
of these processes and can then learn to control them in a more consistent
manner with healthy functioning.The following are some of the biological
responses that can be measured and fedback to the person (hence the term
Bio-feedback)
1.Muscle Tension
2.Skin surface temperature
3.Heart rate
4.Blood Pressure
5.Brain wave activity
6.Sweat gland activity.
The biofeedback resembles the closed loop control system in
control theory. A closed-loop control system is one in which an input forcing
function is determined partly by the system response. The measured response of
a physical system is compared with a desired response. The difference between
these two responses initiates actions that will result in the actual response
of the system to approach the desired response. This in turn drives the
difference signal toward zero.A closed-loop control system can be represented
by the general block diagram as shown in Figure 1. A Biofeedback system can
also be similarly modeled in terms of input from sensory organs, brain and
Biofeedback output. A typical biofeedback circuit is shown in Figure 2. The
sensory organs are responsible for biofeedback stimulation. Biofeedback
stimulates the nervous system concomitantly with homeostatic regulation of the
body through hormonal activation. The role of the brain is central, adjusting
the system in accordance with the biofeedback stimulus received from the
sensory organ. Without the brain there would be no output response. Biofeedback
stimulates the subconscious part of the brain, and depends upon the nature of stimulus
received from the sensory organ in the subject's particular current
environment. Both the conscious and subconscious parts of the brain are
important in biofeedback.In Figure 2, transduction phase reflects phyiological
changes caused by hormonal release consequent on simulation. Homeostasis is the
set of processes by which the constant or static conditions are maintained
within the internal environment of a subject; a homeostat is a controller
involved in maintaining homeostasis.