Biofeedback as a treatment for postural hypotension

Two patients with cervical spinal cord lesions were treated for postural hypotension using auditory and visual feedback for voluntary increases in blood pressure. Following initial measures of blood pressure, feedback was delivered for systolic increases above baseline. Within several weeks, both patients learned to increase their pressure markedly from the start of training sessions to their conclusion. The patients' legs were progressively lowered during and at the end of training sessions without significant blood pressure decreases. Long-term follow-up indicated that they were able to maintain the learned increases in blood pressure despite adverse medical conditions. It is suggested that central nervous system damage disrupts homeostatic regulation, permitting greater voluntary control through biofeedback as a new feedback loop. Motivation is also considered an important variable for success.