What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback, a form of biofeedback, begins with measuring electrical activity in the brain via a non-invasive EEG brainmap utilizing a 19 point electrode cap. The neurofeedback practitioner analyzes that information and programs a training goal into a computer, which then runs a 30 minute session for the participant .  The goal of the session might be for the brain to speed up, in the case of someone who is depressed, or to operate more slowly, if the person suffers from anxiety.Whenever the client's brain reaches that goal frequency, if only for a moment, he is rewarded with a tone. With the help of these rewards and with repetition, the brain learns how to more easily and more frequently operate at the more desirable level. When that occurs, many bothersome symptoms caused by the formerly dysregulated brain dissipate. This result is similar to the result one gets from frequently practicing a golf swing until “muscle memory” becomes strong and a good swing occurs more often than a poor one.

Changes in the EEG due to feedback tend to correlate with improved behavior, mood and attention.  Change in EEG behavior is a direct reflection of changes in the way the neurons fire.  Once these changes are practiced and learned, the effects tend to hold. Additionally, these changes often result in reduced reliance on medications or allow medications that weren’t working well to work better.

Even though what’s going on inside the head is complex, neurofeedback itself is simple to do – so simple even a three-year-old can do it or a person with severe attention or developmental delay issues.

Knowing what parts of the brain to train is important, which is why neurofeedback is best conducted by a trained provider in a controlled environment.For example:

• Depression often shows up in brain imaging studies as too little activation in the left frontal lobe.   By encouraging more activity over that area, depressive symptoms often decline.
• Problems falling asleep can often be improved by training for calmness over the right hemisphere’s central motor strip.

Neurofeedback, psychotherapy, and medications work hand-in-hand.  Training is used with patients both on and off medications.  As the brain stabilizes and becomes better regulated, medications, psychotherapy and other modalities often become more effective. It’s not uncommon to see a reduced need for medication as brain regulation increases.

In the 1960’s, seizure-prone cats in a lab were able to change their EEGs through biofeedback conditioning.  No one had a clue – particularly the chief scientist involved – that changing the EEG would improve brain regulation and inhibit seizures, but it did. This finding was accidental and is the research that launched this field.  Brain science during the 1990’s advanced the field of neurofeedback.  Information from MRI’s, PET scans, and other brain imaging techniques has helped identify and refine the proper sites on the head for the most effective training.Click here to browse articles and research on Neurofeedback.