Can Thermal Biofeedback be Implemented on Cellular Phones for Therapeutic Uses?

摘要

This paper compares the outcomes of thermal biofeedback based on a cellular phone with the outcomes of thermal biofeedback using a PC. Thermal biofeedback has been reported to be useful to decrease stress and anxiety and improve the condition of other disorders such as diabetes, pain, and hypertension. This technique of biofeedback is based on trying to increase temperature of the extremities by means of mental processes by trial and error. The raise in temperature is produced by a higher blood circulation. A comparison on the increase of temperature using biofeedback on PC and a cellular phone is done. Questionnaires for acceptance of technology and stress were applied to develop the interface of thermal biofeedback on the cellular phone. The information of the physiological signals of the user or feedback can be a numerical value of the variable, a video or music. It was found that the users preferred as feedback a numerical display of the temperature as it changes slowly. The outcomes of the increase of the temperature are similar with the mobile and the PC. This study suggests that thermal biofeedback is feasible to be implemented on mobile devices for therapeutic applications.