SineBravo biofeedback device
The term biofeedback refers to the detection of biological processes using technical equipment. Here I present one such device. The SineBravo is an electromyography (EMG)-based biofeedback device. It measures the electrical potential changes (EMG) that occur during muscle contractions and converts them into visible and/or audible signals. It can detect a muscle contraction even when the contraction is so slight that it is not visible. The SineBravo is not a diagnostic EMG, but a two-channel biofeedback device that, by continuously monitoring muscle activity, provides substantial help in performing rehabilitation exercises.
Applications of the SineBravo
- treatment of incontinence, and
- rehabilitation of paralysis caused by stroke.
You can purchase the device by clicking here.
Incontinence
The aim of treatment is either to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles (in stress and fecal incontinence) or to relax the pelvic floor muscles (in urge incontinence).
Pelvic floor exercises are designed for this purpose. However, these exercises are only effective if you train the correct muscles. Squeezing the knees together, pressing the thighs together, or tensing the buttocks will not improve incontinence. Most patients cannot tell whether they are performing the exercise correctly, i.e. whether they are contracting the pelvic floor muscles.
A biofeedback device gives feedback exactly from the place it matters. Through a probe inserted into the vagina or the anus, the activity of the pelvic floor muscles can be precisely monitored. If these muscles contract, the device signals it.
This biofeedback significantly enhances the effectiveness of pelvic floor exercises and thus their success in treating incontinence.
Stroke
Stroke affects 40–50 thousand Hungarians each year. Those who survive the first days (about two-thirds of them) may face serious consequences such as paralysis. Central paralysis caused by stroke can improve. For this to happen, another brain area must take over the function of the damaged region, and the motor pathways and muscles must "relearn" the movement. This process is long and can take years. It does not happen in hospital alone; you must do the work at home. The SineBravo biofeedback device provides effective assistance in this.
In most cases stroke leaves residual symptoms, typically varying degrees of paralysis of the arms and legs, or at least clumsiness of movement.
Paralyzed limbs can be improved with massage, physiotherapy, muscle stimulation and relentless practice – instead of the "lost" movement, a new movement can be taught to the muscle, the brain and the motor nerve. A biofeedback device can be used in this process.
Biofeedback itself does not treat, but it aids rehabilitation by providing feedback. After paralysis the affected limb hardly moves at all – however, the biofeedback device can detect and signal even the slightest attempt at movement.
It helps recovery and relearning of movement by letting the patient know they are heading in the right direction. Without this feedback, patients may be inclined to give up, as there may be almost no visible sign yet.
In the West EMG is increasingly becoming an integrated part of rehabilitation treatments. Domestic physicians and therapists are also increasingly recognizing its importance.
