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 NEUROFEEDBACK

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF NEUROFEEDBACK
Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback, works to reeducate brainwave patterns by using awareness of the electrical activity in the brain.  When the brain is not functioning well, evidence often shows up in an electroencephalogram, or EEG, a machine that reads and measures electrical activity produced by the brain. 

The information obtained from an EEG can be noted in varied frequency levels whose activity corresponds with particular states, such as peak alertness, tiredness, and sleep. Many studies are suggesting that by training the brainwave activity directly, the level of attention or mental states such as relaxation and anxiety can be changed or positively conditioned.

What is it used for?
CONDITIONS NEUROFEEDBACK MAY HELP

- Anger and rage problems
- ADD/ADHD
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Bipolar disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Learning disabilities
- Mood disorders
- Optimum performance applications
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Sleep dysregulation
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF NEUROFEEDBACK
1960s -- Psychologist Joe Kamiya at the University of Chicago first attempted human neurofeedback. His early investigations focused on classical conditioning of alpha brain waves primarily to facilitate deep relaxation and meditation. 

Dr. Barry Sterman pioneered SMR/beta neurofeedback beginning with simple classical conditioning of laboratory cats' brainwaves in a study on sleep patterns. Sterman and fellow researchers noticed that reduced muscle stress in cats was correlated with a recurrent surge of brain action. They labeled it "sensorimotor rhythm" (SMR) because it occurred in the brain's sensorimotor cortex.

Intrigued, they tried to see if the activity would increase if the cats were given a reward each time the pattern was produced.  Each time it was noted, the cat was immediately given a small amount of milk and chicken broth. The cats quickly began generating an abundance of the activity. Thus they noticed that brain activity could be directly influenced through training.

Sterman made a serendipitous discovery during in an unrelated experiment in the same lab using cats, where they were to test toxic chemicals that usually induced epileptic seizures. Some cats had a notably greater ability to suppress the seizure activity with dosage levels not tolerated by others. Scientists were baffled by the difference in responses among the cats until they noticed that the cats able to withstand seizures had received training during the sleep study.

1970s -- University of Tennessee researcher Joel Lubar began experimenting with the use of neurofeedback to influence hyperactivity.  Children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were able to increase their attentiveness by reducing theta and increasing beta brain waves.  This was accomplished through the use of neurofeedback games.  Lubar observed neurofeedback could produce some of the same brain wave changes as drugs used to treat the disorder.  Over the last 25 years, Sue and Siegfried Othmer, among others, have pioneered the utilization of Neurofeedback to treat a wide variety of disorders in very specific areas of the brain.

1980s -- Dr. Eugene Peniston of the Fort Lyon (CO) VA Medical Center broke additional research ground in 1989.  Alcoholics enrolled in a treatment program normally given by the center were also trained in alpha-theta neurofeedback.   Five years after treatment, 70% of the participants were still abstinent.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF NEUROFEEDBACK
Neurofeedback is based on behavioral psychology theories of classical or operant conditioning, which utilizes instantaneous reward of the desired behavior and instantaneous determent of the undesirable behavior.  At its core, neurofeedback is an educational process that utilizes the EEG to increase attention.

The use of neurofeedback for psychiatric problems is due to recent breakthroughs in understanding of the electrical and chemical components of these diseases. At the time biofeedback was first developed mental disorders such as attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia were believed to have environmental causes rooted in early childhood experiences.  Thus, earlier forms of treatment addressed physical issues.

The first research in the area was done with animals using simple behavioral experiments with food as the conditioning agent.  Later investigation reveals that pleasing sounds as well as visual images were just as effective of a reward system for humans.

How is it done?
WHAT A SESSION OF NEUROFEEDBACK IS LIKE
An initial session may take up to two hours, and would include filling out a detailed health history about current symptoms, general health and family health history. The first neurofeedback training would take place after all testing was completed.

Neurofeedback training involves non-invasive techniques.  One or more EEG sensors are placed on the scalp, and one to each ear.  Equipment detects the brain waves and generates the appropriate feedback.  This information is given to the client through a video display and audio information.

Rather than use a joystick, the trainee is asked to make the video game move using his or her brain.  When the individual increases brainwaves in the desired frequency band, a detectable positive change in the video game or other stimuli is given.  If the activity increased in an undesirable frequency band the video game is made more difficult.  Over time the brain begins to adapt to this information, and it learns to use the desirable brain wave patterns.

Following sessions are generally one hour and occur one to five times weekly.  Improvement is often seen within ten sessions, and once the benefit has occurred, it is usually permanent.

Neurofeedback training may require several sessions for attention, learning, and behavior problems, in order for integration of the new learning to take place.  Those suffering from organic brain issues such as epilepsy or those who have experienced severe brain trauma may require a good amount more sessions. Indefinite treatment may continue to increase the treatment’s benefits.  Neurofeedback training may also be used to attain optimum performance. In this circumstance training may be ongoing as long high performance levels are still desired.

Who does it? 
NEUROFEEDBACK PRACTITIONERS
Neurofeedback is generally practiced by health care professionals who are state certified or licensed in their chosen field including: medical and naturopathic doctors as well as psychologists, social workers, counselors, physical/ occupational therapists, registered nurses, chiropractors, credentialed special education teachers and school counselors working in a school environment.