What is biofeedback?
Biofeedback is the process of measuring an individual’s physiological states and feeding information about these changes back to them so that they can learn how to regulate their physiological activity to improve their wellbeing (Gilbert & Moss, 2003). In biofeedback training, participants are given insight into changes in their physiology such as heart rate, breathing or even brain activity by showing them visualisations (e.g., moving graphs of changes in heart rate) of these changes (Schwartz & Andrasik, 2017). These visualisations contribute to participants’ awareness of internal body signals, also known as interoceptive awareness, which is an important part of effective emotion regulation (Gross, 2002; Kever et al., 2015). In addition operant learning principles such as conditioning and reinforcement are used to teach participants to effectively regulate their physiology. For example, a pleasant tone can indicate when someone has reached an optimal heart- or breathing rate (Hammond, 2005, 2007; Lehrer et al., 2000; Peper et al., 2009; Schwartz & Andrasik, 2017).
Biofeedback is effective in regulating stress and anxiety (Goessl et al., 2017; Hammond, 2005; Richardson & Rothstein, 2008; Schoenberg & David, 2014; Schwartz & Andrasik, 2017; Tolin et al., 2020; Yucha & Montgomery, 2008), however, various practical issues such as specific hardware requirements and high costs prevented a wide adaptation. Furthermore, biofeedback training involves many repetitive trials which makes it difficult for participants to stay motivated, particularly young participants (e.g. Parnandi & Gutierrez-Osuna, 2017). In addition, for treatments to be strengthened and tailored, it is crucial to know what factors contribute to successful change (and which ones do not) (Kazdin, 2014), however, there is a limited understanding of underlying mechanisms of change in biofeedback interventions (Weerdmeester, Van Rooij, Engels, & Granic, 2020; Wheat & Larkin, 2010).
Project Aims
The current project explored the potential of using game-based biofeedback interventions for anxiety regulation and had the following aims:
1) Creating a new integrative theoretical model. This model included factors that have been traditionally linked to the efficacy of biofeedback (e.g., interoceptive awareness) but also identified several cognitive appraisal factors which were posited as possible determinants of the effectiveness of biofeedback training for anxiety regulation.
2) Further developing and validating the efficacy of the biofeedback video game DEEP as an anxiety regulation tool. In our studies we specifically assessed a) anxiety outcomes, b) the role of cognitive appraisal factors, as well as the influence of c) specific mechanics in the game DEEP based on evidence-based techniques from biofeedback (e.g., visualisation of physiological change) and clinical practice (e.g., exposure).
3) Formulating guidelines for future research and development of biofeedback interventions for anxiety regulation.
The Research
We have conducted multiple studies including pilot studies, an implementation trial in a special eduction school, and most recently a Randomized Controlled Trial with anxious youth to assess whether a training with DEEP could help alleviate anxiety symptoms. In addition we wrote an extensive review regarding biofeedback interventions for anxiety regulation. In this review we identified several psychological mechanisms of change that may be tied to adaptive outcomes of biofeedback interventions and we included a set of guidelines to for a new phase of biofeedback therapy, inspired by game design and the potential of wearable biosensors. All of these studies (and more) are summarized in Joanneke Weerdmeester's doctoral thesis entitled "Take a DEEP Breath: Exploring the Potential of Game-based Biofeedback Interventions for Anxiety Regulation" which you can download via the link below.
The Findings
Our results demonstrate the ability of game-based biofeedback interventions like DEEP to help youth regulate momentary bouts of anxiety and to diminish their anxiety symptoms over a longer time period with repeated practice. Game-based biofeedback interventions like DEEP may be particularly useful to facilitate relaxation exercises, exposure treatment, and at-home practice. Our findings also highlight the importance of measuring and targeting cognitive appraisals in the context of biofeedback interventions. Self-efficacy and threat-challenge appraisals in particular may serve as important mechanisms of change. Still, more ideographic methods are needed to assess and establish the causal relationships between individual changes in physiology, cognitive appraisals, and anxiety in biofeedback interventions. Moreover, we recommend using study designs and methods with multiple baselines or randomizations to test the unique effect of specific evidence-based techniques and biofeedback mechanics. We also argue that during the entire testing and development phase of new digital interventions it is vital to share acquired knowledge in various fields of expertise to gather valuable feedback and engage with potential end-users. Sharing knowledge can also strengthen the communication within multidisciplinary teams as team members can learn more about each other’s field of expertise. Moreover, digital interventions designed by multi-disciplinary teams, particularly those with a strong art and design foundation can reach a bigger audience and impact people’s wellbeing in new and creative ways (e.g., by showcasing them in public places). Taken together, the current dissertation demonstrates the strength of collaborations between artists and scientists to develop innovative, playful, and meaningful digital interventions which can motivate and help people feel empowered to improve their wellbeing.
Where are we now?
Following our research, the DEEP team now aim to bring DEEP to the masses. In addition, in collaboration with health care partners we are finding new ways in which DEEP could contribute to people's well-being. For example, we are exploring whether DEEP could be used to help youth who have experienced trauma. Furthermore, we are exploring ways in which DEEP can be used in the current Covid-19 pandemic to relieve the stress of front-line medical workers or support people's recovery from the virus. Check out the DEEP website for updates.