2.4.2. Stress Management, Creativity, and Clinical Applications

Stress management and creativity are particularly crucial in the arts and sports. Gruzelier et al. found that integrating alpha-theta neurofeedback with HRV biofeedback reduced anxiety and boosted creative expression among dancers, which indicates its potential to aid emotional balance in the performing arts , . This concept was applied to athletes as well, with Domingos et al. showing that neurofeedback targeting the alpha band could enhance physical resilience and recovery in sports . Similarly, Rijken et al. observed that elite athletes’ focus and resilience under stress improved significantly when mental coaching was paired with either EEG neurofeedback or HRV training, which shows the benefits biofeedback could offer in high-performance sports . Shaw et al., on the other hand, studied how biofeedback could distinguish performance levels in competitive athletes, identifying distinct EEG and HRV patterns between starters and nonstarters, suggesting that biofeedback might provide a crucial edge in competitive environments .

Going beyond the conventional biofeedback, recent advancements in biofeedback technology have also brought EEG and HRV biofeedback into sensory-enhanced, immersive environments. Hinterberger and Fürnrohr’s “Sensorium” combines EEG and ECG feedback with lights and sounds, creating a unique experience that participants described as more impactful than standard meditation practices—pointing to biofeedback’s potential for personal exploration and self-improvement . Paszkiel et al. delved into how sound-based biofeedback could modulate stress responses, finding that specific auditory environments influenced EEG and HRV patterns, which hints at the role of sound in managing stress effectively .

In clinical settings, EEG and HRV biofeedback offer new approaches for managing chronic conditions and mental health challenges. Lehrer et al. investigated HRV biofeedback as a complementary treatment in asthma, finding that while it improved relaxation and respiratory function, it didn’t replace traditional asthma medications—suggesting HRV biofeedback’s role as an adjunct . Meanwhile, Machetanz et al. explored transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in combination with HRV biofeedback, discovering that this method could modulate both brain activity and heart function, potentially opening up new neurological applications by influencing heart-brain dynamics . Additionally, Groeneveld et al. examined z-score neurofeedback combined with HRV training for ADHD, showing significant improvement in attention and behavioral symptoms, positioning biofeedback as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for ADHD management . Altogether, these studies highlight biofeedback’s versatility as both a therapeutic and complementary intervention across various chronic and psychological conditions.