Neurofeedback is a brain wave therapy that uses feedback and reward to teach the brain how to produce better, more healthy patterns of brainwaves. It’s not a miracle cure but it is a very powerful tool that provides many people with relief from symptoms of conditions like ADD/ADHD, anxiety and depression as well as traumatic brain injury (TBI).

During a Neurofeedback session sensors are placed on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of your brain. The information is analyzed and displayed on a computer screen in the form of sound, video or simple computer games. When the brain waves are producing a pattern that is beneficial to the client/patient, they get a positive reinforcement (a change in the audio or visual display) and the subconscious learns to sustain these improved patterns. Over time, the clients/patients become more self-regulating and their symptoms dissipate.

Some research indicates that neurofeedback changes the structure of the brain itself. However, most of the research that has been conducted so far has been small-scale, non-randomized, and not clinically valid, which is one reason why more mainstream medical centers don’t offer this service to their patients.

There are several different methods of neurofeedback but most are based on operant conditioning which involves rewarding the patient when they inhibit certain brain wave frequencies and increase other frequencies. The patient may be rewarded with sounds, videos or even vibrating cushions or teddy bears. These are all forms of brainwave biofeedback and some examples are: qEEG or brain mapping, Amplitude training (increasing or decreasing the size of specific brain waves), Slow Cortical Potential training (ILF, ISF, SCP), and Z-score training (which measures the slowest brain waves).

The goal of neurofeedback is to locate where a person’s brain is not functioning properly. This can be a single location such as a stroke or aneurysm, or it could be the whole network of neural connections/hubs, as seen in PTSD and concussion. Once the brain is regulated it stays regulated, much like a thermometer that, once calibrated, doesn’t have to be checked again.

The benefits of neurofeedback can be seen throughout life. We see it with kids who can focus at school, parents who can finally get a good night’s sleep and adults who are able to work more efficiently. It also improves relationships with family and friends, decreases stress, and helps athletes perform at a higher level. The results can be long-lasting, and in our clinic we see people who have had neurofeedback treatment for ADHD/Anxiety/PANS/PANDAS and continue to attend intermittent sessions to maintain the gains they’ve made. If you’d like to know more about the possibilities of neurofeedback, contact us and we would be happy to discuss it with you.