Revolutionizing Physical Therapy with Biofeedback: A Patient-Centered Approach

Biofeedback has been used in rehabilitation for decades, but recent advances in technology have made it more accessible and user-friendly for both clinicians and patients. With an updated and portable system, mTrigger Biofeedback aims to do just that. By measuring muscle activity in real time and providing patients with immediate visual feedback through a mobile app, mTrigger helps bridge the gap between muscle activation and functional movement.

mTrigger sEMG biofeedback technology supports therapists in addressing a persistent challenge in rehabilitation: helping patients “find” and properly recruit the right muscles during exercise. By providing objective, immediate feedback, mTrigger enhances both motor learning and patient engagement—two critical factors for successful rehabilitation.

Real-Time Feedback and Motor Control

Rehabilitation often requires retraining motor patterns after injury, surgery, or prolonged immobilization. Without feedback, patients struggle to recognize whether they are contracting the correct muscle group or not, with the latter leading to compensatory strategies or incomplete recovery, especially when left unaddressed.

mTrigger provides instant visual and auditory feedback on muscle activation, allowing patients to correct form and optimize effort in real time. This is critical for recovery and research demonstrates just that. Correcting activation patterns enhances brain activity during recovery. (1,2) mTrigger biofeedback allows therapists to integrate this evidence-based tool into the clinic with its easy-to-use technology and portability.

Rehab Applications

Sports Injuries 
A prime example for using mTrigger biofeedback is during post-ACL reconstruction rehab. In this case, regaining quadriceps strength and activation is a key predictor of return-to-sport outcomes. Biofeedback, when used appropriately and frequently throughout the rehab process, has been shown to improve quadriceps recruitment and functional recovery. (3)

With sports injuries resulting in less time lost, mTrigger biofeedback can still be essential for getting an athlete back to the playing field. By accelerating motor learning, biofeedback helps to improve neuromuscular efficiency with common exercises used for daily sports rehab programs. (1) This translates to better preparedness on the field, where dual tasking and proper motor patterns are critical.

Great exercises for sport injuries with mTrigger biofeedback include decline heel raises, hamstring curls, eccentric lunges, and squats. See some video examples below. 

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation 
In post-op cases such as ACL reconstruction, total knee arthroplasty, or meniscus repair, biofeedback supports quadriceps activation, which is often inhibited due to arthrogenic muscle inhibition.(4) One of the most critical steps in the post-op rehab process is overcoming this inhibition. Here is an excellent example of using mTrigger biofeedback to overcome muscle inhibition.

Chronic and Neurological Conditions
Patients with conditions such as chronic low back pain, dysphagia, or following a stroke can all benefit from the external feedback loop offered through biofeedback. This type of feedback loop helps to improve adherence and functional outcomes. (2)

Because mTrigger is portable and app-based, it extends the reach of these strategies beyond the clinic—providing patients with a tool to reinforce motor learning during independent practice if necessary. A concept that can be crucial with chronic conditions and neurological recovery.

Empowering Patients Through Progress Tracking 

A lack of feedback can make exercises feel abstract or unrewarding. mTrigger directly addresses this issue by allowing patients to see and measure their progress over time.

When patients gain autonomy and perceived competence, there is a subsequent improvement in motivation and engagement. (5) By shifting patients from passive participants to active partners in their recovery, mTrigger supports both short-term compliance and long-term functional outcomes.

Summary

As rehabilitation continues to move toward patient-centered care, tools like mTrigger provide therapists with a way to combine evidence-based practice with modern technology. By enhancing motor control through real-time feedback, supporting diverse rehab populations, and empowering patients to take ownership of their progress, mTrigger biofeedback represents a clinically meaningful advancement in rehabilitation therapy.

Visual Biofeedback is a Game Changer 

Exercise Ideas with mTrigger

References 

1. Giggins OM, Persson UM, Caulfield B. Biofeedback in rehabilitation. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2013;10(1):60. doi:10.1186/1743-0003-10-60
   
2. Howlett OA, Lannin NA, Ada L, Mckinstry C. Functional electrical stimulation improves activity after stroke: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;96(5):934-943. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.01.013
3. Fitzgerald GK, Axe MJ, Snyder-Mackler L. The Efficacy of Perturbation Training in Nonoperative Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rehabilitation Programs for Physically Active Individuals. Phys Ther. 2000;80(2):128-140. doi:10.1093/PTJ/80.2.128
4. Hart JM, Pietrosimone B, Hertel J, Ingersoll CD. Quadriceps activation following knee injuries: a systematic review. J Athl Train. 2010;45(1):87-97. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-45.1.87
5. Ryan RM, Deci EL. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. Am Psychol. 2000;55(1):68-78. doi:10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.68

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