Biofeedback as a stress management tool: a systematic review

Inappropriate management of acute stress can negatively affect cognition and task performance. Frequently occurring acute stress encounters can lead to cardiovascular and immunity deficiencies, and psychological disorders such as depression, fatigue, and burnout. Biofeedback can be used as a non-invasive, passive, continuous method of managing stress in real time. A systematic review of biofeedback as a real-time stress management intervention for non-patients was conducted to identify literature between 2000 and 2017, yielding 17 studies evaluating physiological, psychological, and/or performance metrics. Participants represent convenience samples (N=9 studies) and deliberately selected samples, whose optimal performance under stress is critical for occupational success (N=8 studies). Various methods to collect data, display biofeedback, induce stress, and measure performance were reported. Overall, biofeedback is an effective intervention that can be used to reduce physiological and subjective stress, and enhance performance. This is especially true among professionals, whose job performance requires appropriate stress management.