Neurofeedback vs biofeedback: which one is right for me?

Introduction

If you’re looking to treat anxiety, ADHD, or stress related disorders, you might be considering neurofeedback therapy. But before you commit to this expensive and time-consuming treatment, it’s important to understand the difference between biofeedback and neurofeedback.

While neurofeedback is one type of biofeedback therapy, there are many other biofeedback methods used to treat many other illnesses and issues. Read on to learn about the differences between biofeedback and neurofeedback and to find the one that's right for you and your family.

What is biofeedback?

Biofeedback is an umbrella term for any type of feedback-based training. It is non-invasive and used to treat symptoms of a wide variety of health issues without many of the side effects that come with other types of therapy.

During a biofeedback session, sensors are used to track various automatic bodily functions, such as changes in pulse, skin temperature, brainwaves, and more. The goal of these sessions is to help the user gain greater control over their body's automatic functions. This can help them reduce the effects that stress can have on their body, and can also make it easier for them to see relief without the use of invasive treatments like drug therapy.

As one study explains, "Biofeedback therapy is a process of training as opposed to a treatment. Much like being taught how to tie their shoes or ride a bicycle, individuals undergoing biofeedback training must take an active role and practice in order to develop the skill."

While typical treatments focus on eliminating symptoms (sometimes at the risk of unpleasant side effects), biofeedback instead focuses on training you to treat symptoms yourself.

What is biofeedback therapy used for?

There are many different types of feedback-based training tools: from pelvic floor biofeedback to heart rate biofeedback. More commonly, these techniques are used to treat issues like anxiety, chronic pain, constipation, high blood pressure, IBS, Raynaud's disease, and the side effects associated with chemotherapy.

The most common types of biofeedback include:

Electroencephalography (EEG) biofeedback (a.k.a. neurofeedback) monitors brain activity.
Respiratory biofeedback monitors breathing during strenuous or high-anxiety activities.
Heart rate variability biofeedback measures heart rate.
Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle tension (often used to control unwanted muscle spasms).
Galvanic skin response training biofeedback measures the amount of activity in a user's sweat glands.
Temperature biofeedback measures the temperature of the user's skin. This can be helpful in relieving stress and anxiety (source).

Even your Apple Watch or smartphone can have biofeedback capabilities. Things like heart rate monitors, O2 sensors, and step counters can allow you to visualize your body's automatic functions and to learn to take control of them yourself.

How much is biofeedback therapy?

Biofeedback therapy costs can be comparable to other types of therapy; however, many insurance providers will not cover these types of tools and modalities. It's important to talk to your insurance provider about what options will or will not be covered by your existing plan.

According to an article by CostHelper, Inc., a biofeedback session will typically cost $35-$85, with most patients needing approximately 8-10 sessions to complete training. Biofeedback devices can also be found for sale with widely varying prices based on the sophistication of the device.

How can I find a biofeedback therapist near me?

There are many resources available to find a biofeedback therapist in your area, including:

What is neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback (often called EEG biofeedback) is a form of biofeedback specifically designed to measure electrical activity in the brain. It is a non-invasive tool used to treat symptoms of mental health disorders and neurological conditions, as well as a tool used to enhance brain performance.

Suggested read: Learn more about neurofeedback therapy and brain training in our recent blog post.

What is neurofeedback therapy used for?

As in other forms of biofeedback therapy, there are many different applications for neurofeedback systems, both as therapy tools and as brain training equipment. Most commonly, neurofeedback training has been used to help ease symptoms of:

Anxiety Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Traumatic Brain Injury
Epilepsy
Migraines
Panic Disorder

Suggested read: For more information about the ways that neurofeedback can help reduce symptoms of various mental health issues, read our recent blog post.

Types of neurofeedback therapy

There are multiple types of neurofeedback therapy, each with different benefits and different applications, including:

Frequency/power neurofeedback is frequently used to target the speed of brainwaves in locations of the brain associated with ADHD, anxiety, and insomnia.

Slow cortical potential neurofeedback (SCP-NF) is also used to treat ADHD and anxiety.

Low-energy neurofeedback system (LENS) actually delivers an electromagnetic signal, changing the patient's brainwaves and treating traumatic brain injuries, ADHD, insomnia, fibromyalgia, restless legs syndrome, anxiety, and depression.

Hemoencephalographic (HEG) neurofeedback displays blood flow to the brain in order to help treat migraine.

Live Z-score is another type of neurofeedback used to treat insomnia.

Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORE-TA) is used to treat addictions, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) helps to regulate brain activity from deeper regions of the brain.

We also recommend Dynamical Neurofeedback, a signature method developed by neurofeedback company NeurOptimal. This unique system measures brainwave activity and automatically triggers the nervous system to correct any issues. This means that instead of attempting to control your brainwaves on your own, as you would with traditional neurofeedback methods, your brain will do this process automatically.

Dynamical Neurofeedback also reduces the likelihood of unintended side effects of neurofeedback, such as fatigue and brain fog.