Effects of EMG biofeedback on diabetes.
A case is described in which a juvenile-onset insulin-requiring diabetic was given frontalis EMG biofeedback. For 6 years prior to biofeedback training, the subject had been healthy and stable on 22-24 units regular insulin injected once daily. During 8 weeks of standard feedback training for relaxation of frontalis muscle activity, the subject twice reduced her daily insulin dosages. At the end of 8 weeks, the subject was receiving 17-18 units regular insulin daily but was still unstable, sometimes being hyperglycemic, sometimes hypoglycemic. Because of disturbing symptoms associated with this instability, biofeedback was discontinued for 6 months, at which time the subject was again healthy and stable on the equivalent of 18-19 units regular insulin daily. After this period, biofeedback was again given for 1 week, but the subject again became highly unstable and biofeedback was permanently stopped. Caution is suggested when dealing with diabetic patients.
D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D009129:Muscle Tonus
D007328:Insulin