Application of Bio-Feedback in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Abstract

Biofeedback is a non-invasive process to electronically monitor normal automatic bodily function to acquire its voluntary control. Traditional medical models place the onus on the physician to “cure” the illness. Biofeedback places responsibility on the patient to gain self-control. Its application as evidence-based practice in neurodevelopmental disorders is a nascent, unexplored, and debated area of study. This chapter outlines the meaning, nature, types, protocols, procedure, practices, challenges, benefits, and limitations in its use. Its history is traced for efficacy vis-à-vis other treatments, and other issues like cost-effectiveness, certification of professionals, gadget-enabled, and computer-assisted variants. Studies have attempted, albeit with methodological limitations, to validate its utility for neurodevelopmental disorders without any definitive or conclusive evidence for or against its use given the inability to replicate results, control or exclude confounding factors, placebo effects, and/or bias. An agenda for prospective research is given.