HOW NEURO-BIOFEEDBACK WORKS

A bit of background first....

Biofeedback (Which started being used in the 1970's) is a way that  technology (usually computers) tells you what your body is doing.

For instance, by putting your finger into a sensor, it will measure your heart rate and sweat glands that can be indicative of how much stress you are under. The number shows up on the computer and tells you that you have a stress level of 15.

You then take a deep breath, and now the number goes to 14. You see this in real time and you have just lowered your stress levels yourself! Because you now have a way (the computer) to do this, you can train yourself to be more calm and lower your stress. This is called self-regulation.

The same concept is used in Neuro-biofeedback (or Neurofeedback ). Instead of getting information by measuring stress levels from the fingers or heart, sensors are used to receive output from the brain. The sensor is measuring what comes out of the brain.
This is done by using a standard EEG (the same type of brain measuring tool used in hospitals) to give the clinician an idea of how the brain has been operating. Then, the brain can be trained toward better functioning. Just like going to a health club twice a week to strengthen leg and arm muscles through weight training, neurofeedback strengthens brain waves in areas of attention, focus and concentration. Instead of weight training, this is WAVE TRAINING!

 

TRADITIONAL NEURO-BIOFEEDBACK

 

 

 

Neuro-biofedback (or neurofeedback) works by measuring the brain waves of an individual with an EEG. (An electroencephlagram). Simply put, The EEG readings creates a map of the brains activity in 20 areas to determine how each of the four major brain waves are working together.

Measurements with the EEG are taking readings of what is coming OUT OF THE BRAIN. NOTHING IS GOING INTO THE BRAIN. There is no pain, no shocks, or needles.

Now the therapist has a road map for treatment.

Certain wave activity could be a signature of ADD or ADHD. Other brain wave readings could mean anxiety or other issues. Neurotherapists concern themselves less with the "diagnosis" than with treating the brain and helping the brain function better. When the brain functions better, many"disorders" tend to diminish.

So the process looks like this, step by step:

  1. After the map is finished, a treatment protocol is determined.
  2. In the sessions following the map, sensors are attached to the part of the head we wish to treat. They will show the therapist the brain waves being treated. Again they measure what is coming out of the head.
  3.  The child or adult will sit in front of a computer screen and watch one of their favorite movies or a video exercise to help improve brain function, Because the brain is learning AS THEY WATCH, and the brain is being monitored with sensors measuring brain function, the child is actually having fun, as the brain is improving with the computer sending visual feedback to the brain every time the brain moves into areas we wish to train. Most children love the fact they can see a movie they enjoy.  Each session is 35-45 minutes.

 

Every time the brain waves go in the direction of better function, the video gives the client a reward.  This tells the brain that it has done something correct. The process is repeated for 30-40 minutes or more and the brain "realizes" that this is the direction it needs to go.  The brain is rewarded 100's of times each session.

After just a few sessions, the brain has "learned" to function better by decreasing or increasing specific brain waves that research has told us improves attention, or impulse control, or what other specific symptomology is being treated. Again, like going to the gym to strengthen your arm muscles through repetition, this process strengthens your brain " muscles" (IE; stronger brain waves) through repetitions.

The brain learns "by itself". Our conscious minds are not always needed!

This is done two times a week for 25-40 sessions or more if needed. Once the brain is in better balance, behaviors change and many symptoms dissipate.

This is a behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapies are the the safest and usually the most effective of all therapies because they involve repetition. This type of therapy also creates lasting change.

SIDE EFFECTS

In the 50 years tradtional neuro-biofeedback has been used, there have only been three major side effects reported:
  1. It can make the client feel tired.
  2. It can make the cliet feel a bit hyper
  3. It can give someone a mild headache
 All of these generally subside after 24 hours.