Friday 7 February 2014

What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is direct training of brain functions where the brain learns to function more efficiently. Neurofeedback is also called EEG biofeedback since it is based on electrical brain activity. It is a gradual learning process for the brain. Irregular brain patterns are changed to more appropriate pattern through this brain training. It is considered one of the most effective treatments for numerous brain disorders.


Electrodes are applied on the scalp of the patient, and the doctor listens to the patient's brainwave activity. Neurofeedback is used to change timing and activation patterns in the brain. This will create changes in the feedback loops and pathways that make up the brain. This will improve brain regulation, which in turn would impact a variety of brain disorder symptoms. Different brain disorders may require different training sequences with EEG biofeedback. Depression may require frontal lobe training where as anxiety or panic disorder may involve parietal training. Similar to having different exercises for training different body parts, the brain too would require different approaches in training it. The below mentioned mental disorders can be effectively treated with EEG biofeedback.


1. ADD / ADHD

More children and adults with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are using EEG biofeedback than any other problem. Latest clinical studies confirm a 80 - 90% improvement in the majority of patients who completed 25-35 training sessions. Many parents bring their children for this kind of treatment because they believe that putting their children on medications for years is not a good thing, and they want alternatives that work.


2. Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the very first symptoms that start to respond to the EEG biofeedback training. Significant improvements are noticed in more than 90% of patients who had undergone the training.


3. Bipolar Disorder

Clinical reports state that EEG biofeedback helped patients with Bipolar disorder to become more stable and reduce the dependency on their medications.


4. Migraines and Headaches

Therapists report that EEG biofeedback helped their patients to get rid of migraines and headaches much effectively than other medications.


5. Epilepsy

Multiple studies show that EEG biofeedback training would help to reduce the occurrences of seizure. Most of these patient's did not respond to other medications as they did respond to EEG biofeedback.


There are many more disorders that positively respond to EEG biofeedback than any other kind of medications. Learning disabilities, autism, sleep disorders, behavior disorders and obsessive compulsory disorder are some of them.

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