Embedded System for Biofeedback Using Bio-Modalities

Abstract

Biofeedback is a means for gaining control of our body processes to increase relaxation, relieve pain, and develop healthier, more comfortable life patterns. The continuous recording of one ore more of bio-modalities responses is done. The changes in the autonomic responses are noted by varying the environmental conditions, in this thesis by changing the type of music. It is required that the changes in the response be measured and that certain characteristics be signaled to the subject in a suitable way. This principle is called biological feedback or biofeedback. Many physiological processes can be monitored for biofeedback applications. By using different sensors for different parameters the possibility of recording all parameters at a time can be achieved. Here three bio-modalities temperature, galvanic skin resistance and pulse rate are taken. The changes are measured. The modality, which is most sensitive i.e. the changes occur most rapidly due to change in environmental condition among these modalities, is taken for the feedback operation. The embedded system is designed using AT89C51 microcontroller and program code is written in embedded-C using Keil compiler.