Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that monitors and trains brainwave patterns. It teaches the brain how to produce healthy patterns that result in calmer, focused and happier states of being. The goal of Neurofeedback is to help people regulate their fast (beta), slow delta and theta and gamma brain wave activity. These frequencies are associated with various disorders including ADHD, anxiety, depression, migraines, seizures, and insomnia. Research has shown that when the brainwaves are regulated, symptoms improve.
During sessions, electrodes are placed on the scalp to obtain a real-time measurement of brain waves (electroencephalography or EEG). Then, patients watch movies, play video games, and listen to music as their brain wave activity is recorded. A computer program then displays the results for the patient in real-time and rewards them for producing healthy brain wave patterns, thus teaching the brain how to self-regulate.
While some researchers have cautioned that studies of neurofeedback are limited in size and that randomized controlled trials are needed, many academic centers consider it to be promising enough to start clinical studies of its use. Moreover, using fMRI to measure changes in the brain during neurofeedback provides compelling evidence that the treatments actually change the way the brain works.
Patients with anxiety and other conditions may learn how to regulate their beta waves through neurofeedback training, as excess beta wave activity is linked to feelings of agitation and nervousness. People with anxiety also often struggle with regulating their theta and delta brain waves, which are related to sleep and relaxation. Neurofeedback helps them learn to regulate these frequencies to increase sleep and reduce anxiety.
In addition to treating conditions like anxiety, neurofeedback can also improve mental performance. For example, athletes who use it report a positive effect on their sport performance as a result of the ability to control their brainwave activity.
A study of musicians using neurofeedback to regulate their theta and delta brain waves showed that they were able to improve their sound quality and their ability to play complex music. Similarly, surgeons have reported that neurofeedback improved their coordination and decreased the frequency of errors during operations.
However, it is important to remember that changes to the brain occur slowly and can take several months of regular neurofeedback training to be fully noticeable. As such, the effectiveness of this form of therapy depends on the condition that the patient is struggling with and on how regularly they attend treatment sessions. It is typically recommended to visit a neurofeedback clinic on a weekly basis to see the most pronounced benefits. This is especially true for a condition like ADHD where it can take a while to begin seeing positive changes in the behavior. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for neurofeedback is to contact us and arrange an initial consultation. We can then recommend the right type of treatment for you. We are committed to providing our patients with the very best treatment options available.