Use of biofeedback in treating chronic hyperhidrosis: a preliminary report

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Dermatology
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Chronic hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating.
• Current treatments for hyperhidrosis have limitations.
• Biofeedback has shown potential in managing other dermatological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of biofeedback training in reducing symptoms of chronic hyperhidrosis.
• To explore the potential role of relaxation as the active component in biofeedback therapy for hyperhidrosis.

Main Methods:

• Adult patients with chronic hyperhidrosis underwent biofeedback training.
• Treatment outcomes were assessed six weeks after the termination of therapy.

Main Results:

• Eleven out of fourteen adult patients demonstrated clinical improvement in excessive sweating.
• The observed improvements suggest a positive therapeutic effect of biofeedback.

Conclusions:

• Biofeedback training appears to be a successful therapeutic intervention for chronic hyperhidrosis.
• Relaxation may be the primary mechanism driving the benefits of biofeedback in this context.
• These findings align with previous research on biofeedback for dyshidrotic eczema.