The price of biofeedback units range from a few pounds for biodots (these are cheaper but less accurate), £50 for some
GSR Units, but can go into hundreds of pounds for the more expensive units. In
the UK a company in Scotland produce a small GSR biofeedback unit called the Serenitube, which is good value. Details of where to purchase a Serenitube are given in the Resources - Relaxation section further on in this session.
Robert Holden in his book, Laughter, The Best Medicine, quotes research that reveals 7:10 people practicing
relaxation didnt achieve relaxation. Research has shown that when you combine biofeedback with a relaxation technique you
tend to get better results than if you practice relaxation without a biofeedback unit.
A research project published in the Lancet Medical Journal on 19th July 1975, compared the
difference between Yoga relaxation methods combined with Biofeedback to relaxation without biofeedback,
in clients who had high blood pressure. Both groups managed to lower their blood
pressure but the relaxation group without biofeedback only dropped their blood pressure from an average
of 169/101 to 160/96 mm.; while the biofeedback and relaxation group dropped their blood pressure from an average of 168/100
to 141/84mm. We call biofeedback
electronic Valium.
Precautions
Biofeedback is a very safe technique but there are a number of situations where your doctor should be consulted before
you undertake biofeedback training, such as if you have:
· A cardiac pacemaker
· Schizophrenia or other forms of psychosis
· Severe depression
· Diabetes, high blood pressure
or epilepsy, as relaxation may require an adjustment in your medication. Do not
adjust your medication yourself but leave this to your doctor
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