Brainwave biofeedback or Neurofeedback, is a specialized field with almost 40 years of research in peer reviewed journals and clinical application for attention deficit disorder, seizures, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders and depression.
More specifically, EEG (electroencephalogram) electrodes are used to measure brainwave activity from various parts of the brain. The person being treated is given visual and auditory feedback in the form of a computer video game, which is controlled by his or her own brainwaves. As they are rewarded for producing healthier brainwave patterns, such as those that are necessary to the task of paying attention, they score points and the brain learns to re-regulate into that healthier synaptic pattern. Often, medication, which has its limitations and risks, can be lowered or completely removed and change in behavior is obvious.
Several school districts have begun using neurofeedback within their counseling programs to treat ADD and enhance academic peak performance. The Italian soccer team that that won last year’s World Cup used Neurofeedback. This work has been reported in popular media.
Research over the last several decades supports the fact that attention deficit disorder with and without hyperactivity stems from deficits in brain information processing. Cells or neurons, which normally learn to interface with one another and take on more and more activity in a child’s developing brain, do not take on the proper working matrix. This may happen for a variety of reasons and has no bearing on intelligence. These children have difficulty arousing brain cell stimulation in important parts of the brain, such as the frontal cortex and sensorimotor cortex. Arousal is slower than normal and the child may have difficulty integrating sensory input from the world with motor reflexes and maintaining attention.
With Neurofeedback, most children learn to increase the stimulation of these sensorimotor neurons naturally, thus facilitating stronger synapses and more brainwave activity. Specific frequency bands for training are best determined by competent testing with a Quantitative EEG or brain map. Learning to increase amplitude (power) in the 12-32 Hertz (beta, a fast frequency) while learning to decrease a 4-8 Hertz (theta, a slow frequency) are typically the primary objectives of Neurofeedback Therapy. Once these neurons begin to work properly and network together, we see improvement with the child’s behavior, test scores and attentional state and they generally will stay that way throughout their life.
Steven C. Kassel is in private practice in Newhall as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is certified in both Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. He’s been practicing in the SCV since 1985 and is past-President of the Biofeedback Society of California.
For more information, please call 661-259-3704, e-mail s@kassel.us or visit www.kassel.us .