What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a form of brain exercise. During a brain exercise session , one uses his /her brainwaves to control a computer game. No Hands! By doing so , one actually learns to control the brainwave activities. Over time , the person becomes better in controlling his/her brainwaves , leading to better mental functions.
Lasting Effect
Upon being successful in controlling one's brainwaves patterns , the individual can experience a change in brain functioning such as better focus and thinking ability. Once learnt , a person can retain this ability for a long time, even without the brain exercise. It is like swimming or cycling. Once learnt , it stays with you forever!
What is it used for?
Neurofeedback is used for many conditions and disabilities in which the brain is not working as well as it might. These include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism and learning disabilities. We have seen cases of improved social behavior, speech and response after the trainee has gone through Neurofeedback training.
The training is also helpful with the control of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as for more severe conditions such as medically uncontrolled seizures, minor traumatic brain injury, or cerebral palsy.
It is also used to improve focus and concentration in studies, as well as in achieving peak performance in the area of sports.
What takes place prior to Neurofeedback training?
Refer to How We Do It at Spectrum Learning.
Are there any other aspects of my child that I need to take note of as he/she does Neurofeedback?
We know that the body and mind are intrinsically entwined and that one entity affects the growth and functioning of another. The ability of the brain to learn is very much dependent on one's health condition. Therefore it is important to make sure that the body is nourished with the right nutrients, not laden with heavy metal toxic elements before training the brain. If one has a high accumulation of heavy metal in the body such as cadmium, lead or mercury, the brain's ability to learn is affected, which reduces the effectiveness of Neurofeedback training.
To objectively determine one's nutritional level and presence of toxic elements, we usually recommend clients to do a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. The test will determine if any corrective measures need to be carried out. From our experience, removing nutritional issues e.g. mineral imbalances, nutrient deficiencies and toxic accumulation will prepare the brain for learning and this translates into a more effective Neurofeedback training.
What results do we obtain from Neurofeedback Training?
There is calming down in behavior in children with symptoms of impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity. We also see increased awareness of surroundings and improved ability to relate to others for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Improved school performance and memory are also among the benefits.
Can a successful outcome be predicted?
It is not possible to predict with certainty that training will be successful for a particular condition. But for the many common conditions we see, a reasonable prediction of outcome is usually possible.
Several factors play a strong determining role in the effectiveness of the training and its outcome. Firstly, the trainee has to put in effort to score points and concentrate on the game. In this way, they are making deliberate effort to alter their brainwave pattern. For special needs children, it is often difficult for them to do so. However, in many cases, this can be achieved through the help of the parents and therapist as they come in to encourage him or her to stay engaged in the game. A second factor is the biochemistry and nutritional intake of the child. For the last decade, it was found that children who have toxic metal accumulation, nutritional imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies and low thyroid function tend to progress slower compared with those who do not have the stated conditions. Great improvement is usually seen in children who have a healthy level of nutrients and low toxicity. Children who have a good diet also fare better. Lastly, the surrounding environment that has minimal distraction ensures that training goes on undisrupted and helps the child to focus.
Why does Neurofeedback work?
The brain is amazingly adaptable, and capable of learning. It can also learn to improve its own performance, if only it is given cues about what to change. By making information available to the brain about how it is functioning, and asking it to make adjustments, it can do so. When the mature brain is doing a good job of regulating itself, and the person is alert and attentive, the brain waves (EEG) show a particular pattern. Through the training, we challenge the person to maintain this "high-performance", alert and attentive state. Gradually, the brain learns, just like it learns anything else. And like with other learning, the brain tends to retain the new skill.
What does Neurofeedback look like?
An electrode is placed on the child's scalp using gel or paste and two other electrodes are attached to the earlobes. The game computer is placed a few feet away, directly in front of the child. The child interacts (only using his EEG) with the game computer for the next 1 hour. The therapist's computer enables her to monitor the child's EEG at any time during the session without disturbing the Neurofeedback session.
|
