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 What is Neurofeedback

What is Neurofeedback?

 Neurofeedback (also called Neurotherapy or EEG biofeedback) is, in essence, a way of training the brain to use more productive patterns of brainwaves. It is a non-invasive treatment, which teaches the brain to self-regulate, strengthening neural pathways while increasing mental endurance and flexibility

What  Neurofeedback Does

Neurofeedback is direct training of brain function, by which the brain learns to function more efficiently.  Neurofeedback is, in essence, a way of training the brain to use more productive patterns of brainwaves

. It is a non-invasive treatment, which teaches the brain to self-regulate, strengthening neural pathways while increasing mental endurance and flexibility.

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 Application of Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback has been shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms of conditions such as ADHD (including hyperactive, inattentive and mixed types), anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities and minor traumatic brain injuries, among others. It has also been shown to generally enhance focus and performance in ‘normal’ individuals. Neurofeedback has no known side-effects.  

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 FAQS

 What is Neurofeedback?

 Neurofeedback is direct training of brain function, by which the brain learns to function more efficiently. Neurofeedback is also called EEG Biofeedback, because it is based on electrical brain activity, the electroencephalogram, or EEG. Neurofeedback is training in self-regulation. It is simply biofeedback applied to the brain directly. Self-regulation is a necessary part of good brain function. Self-regulation training allows the system (the central nervous system) to function better.

•What is Neurofeedback used for? 

Neurofeedback addresses problems of brain deregulation. These happen to be numerous. They include the anxiety-depression spectrum, attention deficits, behaviour disorders, various sleep disorders, headaches and migraines, PMS and emotional disturbances. It is also useful for organic brain conditions such as seizures, the autism spectrum, and cerebral palsy. 

•How does Neurofeedback work? 

We apply electrodes to the scalp to listen in on brainwave activity. We process the signal by computer, and we extract information about certain key brainwave frequencies. (All brainwave frequencies are equal, but some are more equal than others….) We show the ebb and flow of this activity back to the person, who attempts to change the activity level. Some frequencies we wish to promote. Others we wish to diminish. We present this information to the person in the form of a video game. The person is effectively playing the video game with his or her brain. Eventually the brainwave activity is "shaped" toward more desirable, more regulated performance. The frequencies we target, and the specific locations on the scalp where we listen in on the brain, are specific to the conditions we are trying to address, and specific to the individual. 

 •Is Neurofeedback considered a cure for any condition?

 In the case of organic brain disorders, it can only be a matter of getting the brain to function better rather than of curing the condition. When it comes to problems of deregulation, we would say that there is not a disease to be cured. Where deregulation is the problem, self-regulation may very well be the remedy. But again the word cure would not apply.

 •What conditions is Neurofeedback / EEG Biofeedback successful in helping?

Neurofeedback is especially concerned with the more "intractable" brain-based problems of childhood whose needs are not currently being met.

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This includes:

•ADHD/ADD

•AUTISM 

• EPILEPSY

• Learning Disorder

•Acquired brain injury

• Headache/Migraine

 

Many children have sleep problems that can be helped:

•Bed wetting

•Sleep walking, sleep talking

•Teeth grinding

•Nightmares

•Night terrors

We can also be helpful with many of the problems of adolescence:

•Drug abuse

•Suicidal behaviour

•Anxiety and depression

Neurofeedbak can also help to maintain good brain function as people get older. The good news is that almost any brain, regardless of its level of function, can be trained to function better.

 •Do the effects of Neurofeedback / EEG Biofeedback training really last?

If the problem being addressed is one of brain deregulation, then the answer is yes, and that covers a lot of ground. Neurofeedback involves learning by the brain and if that brings order out of disorder, the brain will continue to use its new capabilities, and thus reinforce them.

 

Matters are different when we are dealing with degenerative conditions like Parkinson's or the dementias, or when we are working against continuing insults to the system, as may be the case in the autism spectrum. In such cases the training needs to be continued at some level over time.

•What is the success rate of Neurofeedback / EEG Biofeedback? 

 Through the years of experience with Neurofeedback / EEG Biofeedback  has reached the point of having very high expectations for success in training. When such success is not forthcoming, or if the gains cannot hold, then there is usually a reason for that which needs to be pursued. In the normal course of events, Neurofeedback ought to work with everybody. That is to say, nearly everyone should make gains that they themselves would judge to be worthwhile. Our brains are made for learning and skill-acquisition. On the other hand, we are working with many families whose expectations have been lowered by their past experience. And they need to see progress before they will share our optimism. We understand that.

It turns out that among the vast majority of clients (>95% in one clinician's experience) the actual outcome exceeds the prior expectations. Against such low expectations, the changes that can be produced with Neurofeedback may even appear miraculous.

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 •What happens if Neurofeedback clients are taking medications?

 With successful Neurofeedback / EEG Biofeedback training, the medications targeting brain function may very well no longer be needed, or they may be needed at lower dosages, as the brain takes over more of the role of regulating itself. This decrease in medications is particularly striking when the medications play a supportive role in any event, as is often the case for the more severe disorders that we are targeting with our work. It is important for clients to communicate with their prescribing physician regarding Neurofeedback / EEG Biofeedback and medications.

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