NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY

NEUROFEEDBACK
THERAPY

Neurofeedback therapy is a non-invasive technique that measures a patient’s brainwaves and gives real-time feedback on how the brain functions. It’s a type of biofeedback, a mind-body practice encouraging patients to gain voluntary control over bodily functions that are typically involuntary (such as heart rate, muscular contraction, or brainwaves). Biofeedback uses electronic devices to show patients information about internal physiological processes they would otherwise be unaware of.

Neurofeedback therapy, in particular, targets self-control of brain activities by showing patients how their brains react to specific stimuli. Patients learn to identify when their brains are in a specific condition after time. Then they may learn to replicate the desired state, such as relaxation, or avoid unwanted states, such as agitation, in their daily lives.

Electroencephalography (EEG)
Biofeedback Systems: Types of Neurofeedback Treatment

Neurofeedback is an umbrella term for several types of EEG biofeedback systems. The various types differ across the kind of brain waves being trained, goals of treatment, and amount of sites targeted in the brain.

The most common types of neurofeedback are:

  • Amplitude training: This is the most common technique in the field. It focuses on increasing or decreasing certain brain waves’ sizes.
  • Slow cortical training: This method targets the slowest brain waves, promoting emotional stability and better cognitive functioning.
  • Z-score training: Here, the goal is to radiate healthy brain wave activity and bring a patient’s individual frequencies closer to the average of those in good mental health.

The field’s wide range of technologies is an opportunity and a difficulty. It allows for personalized care and the exploration of innovative healing modalities. Looking for the ideal system for your needs may be difficult because there aren’t many comparative trials.

How Does Neurofeedback Therapy
Affect Brain Waves?

Our body and mind use brain waves to communicate and function properly. When these brain waves become dysregulated, it can lead to psychiatric or neurological symptoms. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment that helps address imbalances in brain wave activity, allowing patients to achieve deeper healing and better functioning. Neurofeedback also needs electrical stimulation of the brain like some other brain-based therapies.

A typical neurofeedback session follows these basic steps:

  • Set goals for treatment. The patient’s condition and the type of neurofeedback system will direct what the goals are. If, for example, a patient wants to treat their anxiety, then the goal would be to teach brain waves how to function in a way that lets the person feel more relaxed after each session.
  • Measure brain wave activity. To get a real-time measurement of a patient’s brain waves (electroencephalography or EEG), a clinician starts by putting electrodes on the patient’s scalp. The patient may watch a movie, play a video game, or listen to music while neurofeedback training is ongoing after installation.
  • Train the brain with positive feedback. When the EEG detects that a patient’s brain wave activity has met the treatment objectives, the brain is rewarded with positive reinforcement. When a person with anxiety has more of the slower alpha waves and less of the faster beta waves in their brain, they may be rewarded with a larger movie screen, a higher rank on the video game, or soothing audio feedback.
  • Repeat training. The EEG constantly checks the patient’s brain waves and sends a positive signal to the brain when it meets treatment goals. This training loop allows the brain to fix itself and receive rewards.

Positive reinforcement is used in brain training to teach the mind by rewarding it with a treat based on learning theory and operant conditioning. Like animals, our brains are always searching for a positive stimulus.

Does EEG Neurofeedback
Training Work?

The answer to this is more complicated than yes or no. Many elements influence the results, including if the therapy is appropriate for a person’s condition and whether it can alter brain biology. Some individuals may not realize the benefits of neurofeedback because they are using an unsuitable tool for their requirements.

Neurofeedback is an advanced treatment option with sound scientific backing. Neurofeedback should be at the top of your list if you are looking for a treatment that shows promise, especially in a field with limited opportunities.

Several studies verify its clinical value. In some studies, patients not only reported feeling better after therapy, but imaging technology (fMRI) indicated that the treatment had altered their brain function and structure.

Risks and Side-Effects:
Is Neurofeedback Safe?

Neurofeedback therapies are non-invasive treatments as well as a type of brain exercise. Therefore they are typically considered harmless with minimal negative effects. Side effects are typically mild and dissipate after 24 to 48 hours. Sleepiness, lack of attention, minor headaches, and anxiety are typical side effects.

It’s crucial that patients consistently report side effects to their clinicians, so they can adjust the treatment if need be. There won’t be any long-term problems with the correct changes and qualified mental health practitioners.

How Can Neurofeedback
Benefit You?

Neurofeedback therapy has proven to be a powerful treatment option for disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, insomnia, substance use disorder, and schizophrenia. One advantage of neurofeedback therapy is that it does not come with the side effects associated with many medications. However, it’s best used alongside more conventional medical treatments, and its use should be discussed with a physician first, as experts maintain that it requires more research to be conclusive.

What to Expect from
Neurofeedback Treatment?

Changes to the brain are generally gradual and take some time before they are noticeable. As a result, it might take many sessions to achieve long-term improvements in symptoms and brain function. Neurofeedback training should be done regularly, at least twice a week, similar to all types of exercise and therapy.

  • To determine response to treatment: Though most systems may improve a patient’s condition over 10-20 sessions, slow-wave training systems usually only require 1-5 treatments.
  • To consolidate long-term benefits: In most cases, six to ten 20-30 minute sessions are enough. More sessions may be required for complicated situations such as autism, developmental delays, and brain damage.

The number of sessions you might need is a conversation to have with your provider, who will follow symptoms and measure response from the beginning and at the end of each session and how the patient does between sessions. This will allow the practitioner to track improvement.

Problems That Can Improve with Neurofeedback Training

Neurofeedback can be a valuable tool for healing in a discipline that desperately needs better treatment choices. It can produce long-term advantages by targeting specific brain areas and altering its neurobiology for improved function. 

Neurofeedback training can improve a variety of problems. Because brain waves are involved in all mental activity and operations, this therapy may be applied to a wide range of neurological diseases. Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), strokes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, seizures, age-related memory loss, and sleep disorders have experienced improvements in different aspects of their cognitive functions and daily activities.

Mental Health Issues & Psychiatric Disorders

Neurofeedback can improve a patient’s mood and make them feel safer by, for example, lessening fast beta waves (linked to anxiety) and upping alpha wave activity ( Signifies calmness).

Developmental Delays & Behavior Disorders

For many developmental conditions, the brain does not fully develop the necessary networks for communication. Neurofeedback has been shown to alter brain structure and function, as seen on fMRI testing in children with autism, and improve behavior.

Neurological Issues & Brain Injuries

Neurofeedback may help patients with these ailments achieve long-term relief, especially when used with an integrative treatment method.

Peak Performance

Neurofeedback benefits everyone, not just those with psychiatric or neurological disorders. By training your brain, you can achieve optimal functioning.

Neurofeedback therapies can also be helpful for individuals with any of the following:

  • addictions
  • anger management
  • chronic fatigue syndrome
  • eating disorders
  • headaches/migraines
  • learning disorders
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
  • pain management
  • insomnia

Neurofeedback Treatment
at Psyclarity Health

Neurofeedback is an advanced treatment option with sound scientific backing. If you are looking for a treatment that shows promise, especially when other options have proved ineffective.

Neurofeedback can be a valuable tool for healing if you or someone you know desperately needs better treatment choices. It can produce long-term results by targeting specific areas of the brain and altering its neurobiology for improved function. It can improve various problems, including mental health and substance abuse issues. Many patients have experienced vast improvements in different aspects of their lives.

If you are struggling with addiction, this could be an effective way to help you beat SUD and any other problem you might have. The journey to sobriety is never easy, but you can achieve a healthy and fulfilling life with the tools necessary to manage difficulties.

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