Biofeedback theory and application in allied health

Abstract

The implementation of biofeedback procedures represents a new approach to clinical management of speech disorders. Thus far, results of experiments utilizing biofeedback techniques have suggested positive effects in the remediation of speech disorders. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with the principles of biofeedback; to survey areas of clinical application including voice, fluency, and other clinical disorders; and to explore potential applications of biofeedback procedures for the speech and language pathologist.

Efficacy of Visual–Acoustic Biofeedback Intervention for Residual Rhotic Errors: A Single-Subject Randomization Study

“…Visual biofeedback involves the use of instrumentation to capture measurements of some aspect of physiology or behavior, which can then be displayed in real time to the learner. This visual display provides a novel source of insight intended to help the learner exercise a higher level of conscious control over the process in question (Davis & Drichta, 1980;Volin, 1998). In the context of articulation, learners are provided with a model representing the target speech behavior, usually superimposed over or side-by-side with the real-time feedback display.…”

Treating the Dysarthric Talker

“…To avoid foundering on this definitional shoal, general rather than narrow definitions of biofeedback will be used in this discussion, and studies will be grouped loosely rather than rigidly. Davis and Drichta (1980), in their summary of biofeedback studies in speech pathology, define biofeedback "as the use of instrumentation to provide moment-to-moment information about a specific physiologic system that is under control of the nervous system but not clearly or accurately perceived" (p. 160). This definition separates biofeedback from knowledge of results in which information on performance is delayed rather than moment-to-moment.…”

Differential Effects of Visual-Acoustic Biofeedback Intervention for Residual Speech Errors

“…Visual biofeedback utilizes instrumentation to provide a real-time display of some physiological function or behavior, intended to help learners gain conscious control over these functions (Davis and Drichta, 1980; Volin, 1998). When biofeedback is used in speech intervention, a visual model representing a correctly produced speech target can be displayed above or next to the real-time display.…”