Study Shows Biofeedback May Be Useful for Type 2 Diabetes

However, a study has shown that it may be possible for people with type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar indirectly by controlling their stress levels. The method studied was biofeedback.

Biofeedback shows people how to help themselves calm down-or stay calm-by using techniques like progressive relaxation, meditation, and guided imagery. While they're practicing these techniques, their stress levels are measured by electronic devices that record muscle tension and skin temperature, so it's easy to determine which method works and which doesn't.

The study, which was performed at the Medical University of Toledo (Ohio), involved a small number of people with type 2 diabetes who were randomly divided into two groups. One group had 10 biofeedback sessions, while the other attended 3 educational sessions about diabetes. At the end of the study, all the participants had reduced levels of depression and anxiety. But the people in the group that had the biofeedback sessions also had lower blood sugar levels-and these levels were still down when they were checked three months later. The researchers concluded that biofeedback was useful for patients with type 2 diabetes for up to three months.

As with all studies, this one had its limitations. The biggest issue might have been the size of the group, which was very small-only 30 people. This small size also limited the number of minority participants, so it was difficult to apply the results of the study to all patients with type 2 diabetes. And finally, the study was only three months long, so researchers couldn't recommend the use of biofeedback for periods longer than this time.

But biofeedback has some definite advantages as a therapy for any chronic illness, or even just stress reduction. The techniques are non-invasive (unlike a finger stick to check blood sugar), they're easy to learn and retain, and they can be practiced for a long time after the sessions have stopped. In fact, a person could almost "program" themselves to start relaxing automatically as soon as they felt stressed. Of course, there would be no way to measure muscle tension or skin temperature without a home biofeedback device. But some people are sensitive enough to know when their muscles are tight or their skin is cool. And of course there is one definitive measurement-blood sugar, which people with diabetes must check frequently.

Even with the limitations of this study, it seems obvious that biofeedback can be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes-as it may be for anyone who needs a better way to manage their stress levels.