Biofeedback modalities show promise as complementary approaches for improving emotional regulation, anxiety, and attention in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Does biofeedback improve emotional regulation, anxiety, attention, motor coordination, and behavioral control in individuals with autism spectrum disorder?
Biofeedback represents a promising complementary approach for managing comorbid conditions in ASD, though further large-scale trials are needed to enhance clinical utility.
ABSTRACT Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing abnormalities. Comorbid conditions such as anxiety, attention deficits, and emotional dysregulation are prevalent and often inadequately addressed by conventional interventions like applied behavior analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Biofeedback, a noninvasive technique providing real-time feedback on physiological functions, has emerged as a promising complementary approach in individuals with ASD. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on various biofeedback modalities, including heart rate variability (HRV), electroencephalogram (EEG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and electromyography (EMG), highlighting their impact on emotional regulation, anxiety reduction, attention enhancement, motor coordination, and behavioral control. Gamified biofeedback platforms have shown increased engagement and accessibility, particularly among children. While preliminary studies indicate positive outcomes, limitations such as small sample sizes, variability in individual responses, and the need for specialized equipment underscore the necessity for further research. Integrating biofeedback into multidisciplinary intervention strategies, such as ABA, CBT, occupational therapy (OT), and sensory integration therapy (SIT), may offer a holistic approach to managing ASD symptoms, emphasizing the importance of personalized and consistent application across clinical, educational, and home settings. This review also emphasizes the applicability of biofeedback interventions across clinical, educational, and home settings, promoting broader implementation in everyday contexts. Future research should focus on large-scale trials and integration strategies to enhance the clinical utility and accessibility of biofeedback as part of standard ASD care.
Singh et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Autism spectrum disorder. Biofeedback was evaluated. Biofeedback modalities show promise as complementary approaches for improving emotional regulation, anxiety, and attention in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.