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This page contains answers to common questions about EEG Biofeedback. Table of Contents
What is EEG Biofeedback and what is it used for?EEG Biofeedback, also called Neurofeedback, is operant conditioning using EEG parameters. The training reinforces certain brainwaves and inhibits others. EEG Biofeedback is a therapeutic learning technique that enables a person to change how his/her brain works. It is useful for many conditions in which the brain is not working as well as it could. EEG Biofeedback is currently used for attention, learning and behavior issues in children; mood disorders, epilepsy, sleep disorders and traumatic brain injury; addictions and PTSD as well as for non-clinical applications such as mental fitness and peak performance training. In an editorial on ‘The state of EEG biofeedback therapy (EEG operant conditioning) in 2000’ in Clinical Encephalography 31(1):V-VII, Frank H. Duffy, M.D., associate editor identified that any pharmaceutical drug that had as wide a range of effectiveness as neurofeedback would be universally accepted and widely used. Back to TopWho has done research on EEG Biofeedback?Barry Sterman, UCLA, was performing research on cats exposed to toxic chemicals that induced epileptic seizures. He happened to discover that cats who had been trained in a previous unrelated experiment to produce brain waves in the 12-20 Hz range, had a greater latency to seizure onset than the untrained cats. These results were replicated on monkeys and humans in about 20 studies at 12 different research facilities. This information provides the basis for SMR/beta biofeedback training commonly used for attentional issues. The SMR/beta training was used for several years on patients with seizures failing to respond to conventional medication therapies and during this time it was noted that children who were hyperactive not only had improvement in their seizure status but also improved in their behaviors as well. Joel Lubar, University of Tennessee, pioneered the use of neurofeedback on children with hyperactivity without seizures in the 1970’s. He continues to be one of the leaders in the use of neurofeedback for attentional issues. In 1995, Lubar et al’s study provided comparative pre and post treatment measurements of several parameters in individuals with ADHD who improved and in those who did not. The changes noted in the group receiving neurofeedback were nearly equivalent to changes reported for the medication group. Other studies have been done which have similar findings. In the 1980’s, Eugene Peniston, VAMC at Fort Lyon, Colorado, studied the effects of combining alpha theta training with the program already in place for alcoholics. Five years after participating in the program, 70% of the participants remained abstinent. The research process on neurofeedback began in 1960’s. For a quick overview, the 2000 Clinical Electroencephalography 31 (1) journal contains a number of articles on neurotherapy. Back to TopHow does EEG Biofeedback work ?Initial protocols related to training the sensorimotor system excitability and expanded to involve more generalized CNS functions as they relate to EEG rhythmicity. Neurofeedback works by giving the brain, information in order to self-regulate (or balance) its own arousal level. The brain is amazingly adaptable and capable of learning to improve its own performance, if given cues about what and how to change. Feedback (or information about its performance) gently “guides” or provides those cues by teaching the person what to ask their brain to do. Once learned, the brain usually continues to behave in a way that processes information in an efficient manner from then on. Some people like “reminder sessions” from time to time. In conditions where medication has failed, side effects or patient compliance make using medication difficult, or where individuals have concerns about prolonged use of medication, neurofeedback is an option. Additionally, neurofeedback may improve certain clinical outcomes in some patients when used as an adjunctive treatment in combination with standard medication. Back to TopHow long does the training take ?In general, the training will be between 20 – 40 sessions for attention, learning, and behavior issues, sleep, bruxism, headaches, and mild to moderate anxiety, depression, panic concerns. Severe pain, fibromyalgia, conduct disorders, ODD, traumatic brain injuries, etc can require over 100 sessions. Complicated cases often warrant home use of neurofeedback equipment with supervision after completing a number of clinic-based training sessions. Traumatic brain injury and stroke patients are often good candidates for supervised home training. Back to TopNeed more information?Contact us using our Information Request form. Visit these websites for more information. Using any of these links will take you out of BioSynchrony, Inc.
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