About Neurofeedback

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Neurofeedback has been studied and used as an intervention for various neurological and psychological disorders. Here is a list of diagnoses and disorders where neurofeedback has shown to be useful:

Research:

• Arns, M., de Ridder, S., Strehl, U., Breteler, M., & Coenen, A. (2009). Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: the effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: a meta-analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3), 180-189.
• Lofthouse, N., Arnold, L. E., & Hurt, E. (2012). Current status of neurofeedback for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14(5), 536-542.

Research:

• Hammond, D. C. (2005). Neurofeedback treatment of anxiety and affective disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 14(1), 105-123.
• Escolano, C., Navarro-Gil, M., Garcia-Campayo, J., Congedo, M., & Minguez, J. (2014). The effects of individual upper alpha neurofeedback in ADHD and in a cognitive task. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 39(3-4), 193-202.

Research:

• Hammond, D. C. (2005). Neurofeedback with anxiety and affective disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 14(1), 105-123.
• Baehr, E., Rosenfeld, J. P., Baehr, R., & Earnest, C. (1999). Clinical use of an alpha asymmetry neurofeedback protocol in the treatment of mood disorders: follow-up study one to five years post therapy. Journal of Neurotherapy, 3(2), 23-44.

Research:

• van der Kolk, B. A., Hodgdon, H., Gapen, M., Musicaro, R., Suvak, M., Hamlin, E., ... & Spinazzola, J. (2016). A randomized controlled study of neurofeedback for chronic PTSD. PLoS One, 11(12), e0166752.
• Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1991). Alpha-theta brainwave training and beta-endorphin levels in alcoholics. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 15(3), 662-669.

Research:

• Coben, R., & Padolsky, I. (2007). Assessment-guided neurofeedback for autistic spectrum disorder. Journal of Neurotherapy, 11(1), 5-23.
• Kouijzer, M. E., de Moor, J. M., Gerrits, B. J., Congedo, M., & van Schie, H. T. (2009). Neurofeedback improves executive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3(1), 145-162.

Research:

• Sterman, M. B., & Egner, T. (2006). Foundation and practice of neurofeedback for the treatment of epilepsy. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 31(1), 21-35.
• Tan, G., Thornby, J., Hammond, D. C., Strehl, U., Canady, B., Arnemann, K., & Kaiser, D. A. (2009). Meta-analysis of EEG biofeedback in treating epilepsy. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3), 173-179.

Research:

• Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1989). Alpha-theta brainwave training and beta-endorphin levels in alcoholics. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 13(2), 271-279.
• Sokhadze, E. M., Cannon, R. L., & Trudeau, D. L. (2008). EEG biofeedback as a treatment for substance use disorders: review, rating of efficacy, and recommendations for further research. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 33(1), 1-28.

Research:

• Cortoos, A., De Valck, E., Arns, M., Breteler, M. H., & Cluydts, R. (2010). An exploratory study on the effects of tele-neurofeedback and tele-biofeedback on objective and subjective sleep in patients with primary insomnia. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 35(2), 125-134.
• Hammer, B. U., Colbert, A. P., Brown, K. A., & Ilioi, E. C. (2011). Neurofeedback for insomnia: A pilot study of Z-score SMR and individualized protocols. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 36(4), 251-264.

Research:

• Stokes, D. A., & Lappin, M. S. (2010). Neurofeedback and biofeedback with 37 migraineurs: a clinical outcome study. Behavioral and Brain Functions, 6(1), 9.
• Kropp, P., Siniatchkin, M., & Gerber, W. D. (2002). On the pathophysiology of migraine-links for "empirically based treatment" with neurofeedback. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 27(3), 203-213.

There are many other conditions, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), where neurofeedback training shows promise. 

Neurofeedback continues to be an evolving field with ongoing research exploring its efficacy and mechanisms.

After the completion of your brain mapping, an appointment will be scheduled with our clinic director, Dr. Adriana Steffens, BCN, to review the results. Her 15+ years of experience interpreting QEEG results means no stone will go un-turned as she provides you with a clear understanding of why the brain is functioning the way it is. A detailed report will be provided that includes a summary of the findings, as well as metabolic and natural supplement suggestions that will help make your training as successful as possible.. 

Your results from each brain mapping will also be used to assist Dr. Steffens as she creates a training plan for future neurofeedback sessions. 

After 20 sessions of neurofeedback, a brain mapping appointment will be scheduled and the results will again be interpreted for you by Dr. Steffens. Together you will discuss progress, establish future goals, and review options moving forward. The information received in the follow up brain mapping will again be used to design your unique neurofeedback training protocol for the next group of 20 sessions.  

During a neurofeedback session, the individual begins by settling into a comfortable chair, where the practitioner attaches small, non-invasive sensors to the scalp to monitor brain activity. Initially, there's a brief period of relaxation to establish a baseline of brain activity before the actual training begins.

As the session progresses into the training phase, the individual's brain waves are displayed on a monitor, and they receive real-time feedback through various forms like games, movies, or music that respond to their brain's activity. This feedback is positive and immediate, rewarding the brain for producing desirable patterns of activity. The practitioner might make adjustments to the session's parameters to keep the brain engaged and challenged.

At the end of the session, there's often a discussion between the practitioner and the individual about the session's data, progress made, and areas for improvement. This review helps in planning future sessions, making adjustments as needed based on the individual's response to the training.

A typical session can last from 20-30 minutes, and the total number of sessions required usually falls between 40 to 60 total sessions, but can vary depending on the individual's goals and how they respond to the training. The process is tailored to each individual's needs, whether that's improving focus, reducing anxiety, or other objectives, making each neurofeedback experience unique. The sessions are safe and relaxing, with minimal side effects (fatigue after session may be experienced by some clients, usually subsiding within the first five to 10 sessions).