Biofeedback is any method used to tell someone about their body and its functions through some kind of audio or visual aid. A thermometer, for example, tells people when they have a fever. Complicated biofeedback equipment can tell people how relaxed certain muscles are, detect moisture, and even sense neurological changes. How can it help cerebral palsy patients?

One of the driving theories behind biofeedback therapy is that people can learn to better control their functions when they separate emotional involvement. Cerebral palsy patients might have a difficult time lifting a cup to their mouth. When they fail, it frustrates them because they want to drink or because they want to accomplish. But what if the failed results only produced a blinking light? Cerebral palsy patients stop focusing on the cup, or their own inabilities. Instead, they focus on making the light go out.

The biofeedback method doesn’t stop with a single blinking light. Computerized systems can now show cerebral palsy patients levels of success instead of solid ‘good’ or ‘bad’ results. The biofeedback systems display real-time progress as the patient lifts or tries to relax. Warnings can sound or light up when a cerebral palsy patient drools or looses bladder control.

Traditional physical therapy with cerebral palsy patients might involve bouncing a ball or catching it. Missing constitutes as failure, catching is success. Why would biofeedback work better? Because now the objective is to make the row of lights go all the way up. Cerebral palsy patients might start off only able to make one light shine. But they see their improvement with each light instead of seeing a steady line of unsuccessful attempts.

Biofeedback displays give patients something neutral (or even positive) to focus on. It can help teach a child with cerebral palsy acceptable social behaviors without adding shame or embarrassment to ailments. Biofeedback systems can turn therapy into colorful computer games that children enjoy. The positive nature alone can give biofeedback methods advantage over many physical and occupational therapies.