Use of biofeedback in weaning paralyzed patients from respirators

Two paralyzed patients who were being treated with mechanical respirators and in whom weaning with intermittent mandatory ventilation failed were treated with regular sessions of biofeedback. Their respiratory volumes were displayed to them on oscilloscopes at bedside. A plastic (Plexiglas) template was placed on the face of the oscilloscope with two horizontal strips of adhesive tape affixed to it; the patient had to achieve a certain tidal volume (TV) to push the tracing outside the space between the horizontal lines. During each session the highest TV achieved determined the target TV to be maintained during the next session. The application of treatment coincided with improved ventilation; both patients were eventually weaned.