EEG Biofeedback InformationTable of Contents
HistoryIn 1924 a German neurologist by the name Hans Berger was using his ordinary radio equipment to amplify the brain's electrical activity so that he could record it on graph paper. He accidently noticed that brain waves varied with the individual's state of consciousness. Caveat, the different parts of the brain do not produce the same brain wave frequency simultaneously. Accordingly, brain waves have been categorized into four basic groups:
None of the above waves is ever given off alone, but an individual's brain may make one frequency more distinct than the otehrs. |
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How Does Neurofeedback Work?The core of this program is to train and imoprove those areas of the brain that function indequately and to allow them to perform at a new and effective level. Neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback consists of helping a person learn how to modify his or her brainwave activity and optimize brain function and make lasting changes in attention, memory, mood, control of pain, sleeping and more. Neurofeedback training appears to impact the regulation of arousal (autonomic nervous system), and it increases the brain's regulation of its own functions (self_regulation improves) and as a result brainwaves are restored to more normal ranges. The process is largely unconsicous, much like learning how to ride a bike. To make the comparison more clear, when we first learn to ride a bike we really don't have the balance requied to ride the bike. Instead we sway left to right until we eventually are able to balance ourselves in the center. So too with neurofeedback, the client learns how to increase or decrease brainwaves in order to optimize brain function. Brainwave activity is measured with an electroencephalograph (EEG). The EEG Biofeedback equipment is connected to the individual with sensors that are placed on the scalp and ears. The sensors are safe, do not harm the skin, and are painless. After sufficient connection to the scalp and ears are made, the individual's brainwave activity can be observed on a computer monitor. Clinicians who administer the neurofeedback help the client learn to change his or her brainwave activity through the use of computerized games and simulations using their brainwave activity. Changes in client brainwave activity are fed back to the individual through visual and/or auditory information by the computer. There are different and fun games where clients enjoy doing it without the thought of being in treatment. One example is a game where clients move a figure through a maze that is similar to the popular Pac-Man game. The figure does not move because of the client's motor activity, but it moves because of the client's specific brainwave patterns. When the desired levels of brainwave activity occur, the individual is reinforced, because the figure moves through the maze. This is one example of how clients learn to change their brainwave activity. Clients can also practice maintaining learned brainwave states when engaged in school work activities such as reading, writing, memorizing, or solving math problem. The end result iis that clients use what they learned during their neurofeedback. |
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What are the Expected Results using Neurofeedback?As brainwave activity changes and balances to the healthy pattern, reductions in ADD/ADHD symptoms are expected to occur. Clients who have received neurofeedback training have also reported improvements in school and work performance, social relationships, and overall self-esteem, as well as reductions in irritability and oppositional behavior. Several research studies reporting successful treatment outcomes with ADD/ADHD have been published over the last 20 years. As with all treatments, however, there can be no guarantee of positive results (i.e. reductions in ADD/ADHD symptoms). Neurofeedback helps individuals for whom other approaches have failed or individuals who do not want to use psychotropic medications (i.e. prescription drugs). |
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What are the Potential Side Effects of Neurofeedback?Unlike the use of medications for treating ADD/ADHD, neurofeedback rearely produces negative side-effect. Actually, a lack of side-effects is a major reason for the use of neurofeedback and the client should not experience negative side-effects. In fact, individuals trained with neurofeedback may experience additional benefits such as, increase3d relaxation, reduced stress, and a heightened sense of control over their bodies, thoughts, and feelings during or immediately after treatment sessions. However, in rare cases some individuals with sensitive skin may experien ce small breaks in the skin when the cleaning occurs. Or, there are minor reports of brief periods of negative feelings (e.g. anxiety, frustration) or negative physical sensations (e.g. fatigue, dizziness, and tingling) while undergoing treatment. However, these negative side-effects are very uncommon and usually last for only a short period of time. Some families experience a disruption in family roles and relationships after the family member who has received neurofeedback training gets better in which can be the case in other forms of counseling because the problem behaviors of the family member with ADD/ADHD may have masked other faimilyl problems that come into the attention once the ADD/ADHD symptoms are reduced. The anxiety levels of family members may increase, because they have been so used to focusing on one problem and now must potentially focus on new ones. |
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What is the Duration of Neurofeedback Treatment?Modifying the stablished brainwave and training the brain to new patterns takes time. The length of treatment varies between individuals and the severity of the disorder. Many individuals report initial proess after 20 to 22 sessions, but effective treatment usually requires 40 to 44 sessions. clients will be asked to participate in enough sessions to ensure that treatment produces the changes in behavior desired or to make clear that the intervention does not seem to be working for a particular client. |
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How Frequent are Neurofeedback Sessions?The frequency of the neurofeedback training depends on various factors such as the client's availability, finances, progress, and individual preferences. Neurofeedback has been reported to be effective when sessions are received daily, three time sper week, twice per week and once per week. To ensure progress, it is recommended that dclients receive at least one session per week of neurofeedback, but sonsistency and commitment are the keys to effective results. Especially in the initial stagbes of training, it is preferred that sessions occur two to three times per week and can be reduced to once a week as learning and progress take place. Sessions can be reduced to one or two sessions per month after significant progress is made. |
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What is the Cost of Neurofeedback Assessment, Treatment? Is Insurance Accepted?Although neurofeedback training has been in use for more than 20 years, it is still considered to be a relatively new treatment for ADD/ADHD. Some insurance companies do provide coverage while other do not, however, many companies cover assessment for ADD/ADHD even if neurotherapy treatment is not specifically covered. Your are encouraged to contact your insurance company, before your initial appointment to find out whether or not your policy covers assessment and/or neurotherapy treatment for attention defecit or hyperactivity disorder. When discussing neurotherapy with your carrier, remember that neurotherapy has also been called EEG Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. The initial assessment includes extensive history taking and sychological testing such as TOVA (computer based assessment) usually covered by insurance companies. If the assessment is not covered by your insurance company, then the cost is $150 - $200, whcih is based on family income. For the neurofeedback training the 30 minute sessions range from $55 to $65 based on family income. Again, check with your insurance company to see if neurofeedback sessions are covered. In any event, payment is the client's responsibility and OCFC does not assume any responsibility for collecting fees for services rendered, though clients are helped with the process of communicating with their insurance company. |
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References and Links
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