Peripheral biofeedback is a treatment designed to teach self-awareness and self-regulation of various bodily functions to help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and more. There are a number of different peripheral biofeedback training modalities, such as heart rate variability (HRV), skin temperature, muscle activity (EMG), and sweat response (electrodermal response or EDR).
A large body of research from the field of psychophysiology demonstrates an interactive relationship of mood and bodily states. For example, people who are chronically anxious will tend to have increased sweating, reduced skin temperature, tensed muscles, and rapid breathing.
Biofeedback training, such as heart-rate variability (HRV) biofeedback, can help to counter the effects of physical and mental stress by teaching clients to better regulate their physical and mental states. Biofeedback teaches clients not only new skills to cope with immediate stressors, but also seeks to improve long-term mental health functioning.