Biofeedback training: Office management of stress disorders

Biofeedback and the associated mental self-regulation exercises represent a major new system for treatment of many chronic stress-induced illnesses. Most studies report that 80% of patients improve after adequate biofeedback training. The future of biofeedback training is dependent upon application of the techniques in clinical practice. Using a temperature biofeedback trainer and simple instructions in the principles of relaxation and body programming, most patients can be trained by a physician's office nurse. Additional counseling may be needed, but improvement in patient complaints and minimization of the need for tranquilizers and sedatives make biofeedback training a most attractive adjunct to medical practice.