Pacemaker Interference

If the trainee has a pacemaker, this should be considered as a contraindication to using biofeedback.  The pacemaker produces electrical signals that may be interpreted as abnormal by the biofeedback system, and may lead to misleading feedback.  For this reason, we do not recommend biofeedback training on individuals who have a pacemaker.

If you are experiencing interference from a client's pacemaker, the problem is most likely the electrical signal conducted through the body, which is an artifact signal generated within the clients body.  It is not unlike an unusually large EKG artifact, except that it involves an electrical stimulator implanted in the body, in addition to the heart generating electrical signals.  The main strategy is to remove the effects of the signal by choosing different references, to see if the signal can be more or less cancelled out.

 try these alternative references:

• controlateral ears
• ipsolateral ears
• linked ears
• switching references (Try all references for the smallest interference)

General considerations:

• Try having the client touch metal like a desk, to see if there is any change, suggesting a radiated interference component .
• Ensure maximal quality of sensor contact.  Use NuPrep gel to ensure low contact impedance