What is biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a technique that makes you aware of a particular body function, using a device that provides information of the activity. It offers increased awareness and opportunity to contract the pelvic floor muscles efficiently. The machine picks up your muscle activity by the inserted electrodes/probe and converts it into a readable data.

Benefits, risks and alternatives to this treatment

There is increased awareness of your pelvic floor muscle activity. This translates your otherwise hidden muscle activity to a handheld machine screen or computer screen.

There is no risk of injury to the muscle as the current does not pass through to the muscle. You won’t feel anything and there should be no pain with the machine usage.

The alternative to this is to perform pelvic muscle floor exercises independently.

You may not be suitable for biofeedback if you:

• have an aversion to a probe being inserted into your vagina or rectum
• are allergic to nickel – anti-allergy probes are available
• have any kind of infection, for example urinary tract infection
• are pregnant
• have epilepsy (only after discussion with your Neurologist)
• caution must be used when removing the probe if you have a IUD/IUS (for example coil).

Step-by-step instructions

• insert the white lead into the port on the machine as shown by your physiotherapist
• connect the black and red pins of the lead wire to the probe
• insert your vaginal or rectal probe into yourself, as shown by your physiotherapist. Make sure that the widest part faces your hips, for example the metal surfaces must face sideways
• press the on/off button to turn on the machine and you are ready to go
• the changing number on the screen is the electrical activity your pelvic floor muscles are producing
• on occasions, if the machine is unable to pick up an accurate reading, you may need an additional wire, with a sticky pad placed on your leg or tummy.

Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles as instructed by your physiotherapist, you will see the number go up and the lights go up into the green (if you have this type of machine). The aim is to maintain this number on each contraction.

Remember: Don’t clench your buttocks, thighs, pull in your tummy or hold your breath.

If you are using the program setting, the arrowhead will show you when you need to contract/relax your muscle. Press the start button, the arrowhead will point downwards to RST (rest) and then point upwards to WRK (work). Contract your muscle and hold it until the arrow turns down again (this can take between five and 10 seconds).

Make the most of the machine while it is in your possession. Don’t forget that you have only a limited time to use it.

What do I need to do after the treatment?

Disconnect the machine and cables from the probe, keep them in the box. Wash your probe in hot water (don’t use soap or any other cleaning products) and let it air dry. Please keep it separate from the box, this is to maintain infection prevention control measures.

Use daily unless otherwise instructed by your therapist.

Please bring the machine and your probe (kept separately) to your next appointment.

You will have agreed a date to return your machine by.

Once you have completed your physiotherapy input with the Kent Continence Service the machine must be returned, as agreed by yourself on our loan agreement form, so it can be used for another patient.

The machine can either be returned to a clinic near you or to our office. Please contact us to arrange returning the machine.

Please make sure to label the machine with your name when you return it, so that we can track machines being returned.