Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback helps children and adults safely train and “rewire” the brain by helping balance dysfunctional brainwave activity, thereby restoring normal cortical functioning. The key to understanding Neurofeedback is to first understand the root cause of these symptoms: Neurological Dysregulation Syndrome (NDS).

Neurological Dysregulation Syndrome is a brainwave imbalance that prevents the brain from functioning at its full capacity. A healthy, optimally functioning brain needs balance and synergy, just like a symphony orchestra.

Imagine how the music would sound if the musicians all played at the wrong time? Or if each musician played their part incorrectly? What would it sound like if the instruments were not in tune? Or if they played at the wrong volume?

If any one of these is true, the resulting music will not sound like it should. This is what is happening when there is Neurological Dysregulation, the brainwaves are not playing together in harmony.

The Quantitative EEG

Neurofeedback training begins first with a consultation. If your case qualifies for further evaluation, we would perform a Quantitative Electroencephalogram or QEEG for short. The QEEG will record and analyze the brainwaves and determine if any neurological dysregulation exists. We need to measure if the brainwaves are being produced in the right areas of the brain, in the right amounts, proportions and types.

This is done by placing a special sensor cap on the head and filling the holes with a little gel. This cap is then connected to the QEEG equipment, and the brainwaves are measured with both the eyes open and closed. This process takes 20-30 minutes. It is important to remember that this is non-invasive and the cap is only sensing the brain’s activity. The resulting data is uploaded to a national database that has over 50,000 QEEG recordings for comparison purposes. On your subsequent visit, we will determine if the symptoms discussed during consultation are the result of objective EEG dysregulation or some potential other factors. If you qualify for treatment, a customized training protocol is designed just for your case. This is not a one size fits all therapy.

How is Neurofeedback Performed?

Neurofeedback training is performed in the office while connected to the same EEG equipment, however instead of a multi-sensor cap, 2 individual sensors that are smaller than a dime are placed on specific training sites determined by your brain map as well as a clip on each ear lobe.

The computer monitors the brainwaves in real time, and when the brain is producing the waves in the way the computer is expecting, it receives a positive reward. This is where the fun comes in. Most often, training is done with the aid of a movie. The movie itself isn’t important, but what is important is that the movie will only play when the correct brainwave is being produced. The patient is only asked to pay attention to their state of mind that makes the movie play. This will trigger the brain to “re-wire” itself. The kids love it!

Research Supported and Evidence Based

The American Academy of Pediatrics is the governing credentialing board of 60,000 primary care pediatricians and specialists. They rate Neurofeedback as having level 1 best support for its use in Attention Deficit Disorder. This means that neurofeedback is the first non-pharmacological treatment suggested for ADHD.

In fact, over 125 published research studies have shown neurofeedback’s effectiveness in helping Attention Deficit Disorder, including a recent article in the American Academy of Pediatrics own journal which concluded “Neurofeedback participants made more prompt and greater improvements in ADHD symptoms, which were sustained at the 6-month follow-up, than did Cognitive Training participants or those in the control group. This finding suggests that neurofeedback is a promising attention training treatment for children with ADHD. Pediatrics 2014 ; 133 : 483–492”

The US government also agrees! The FDA recently approved the use of brainwave measurements of Theta and Beta bands as indicators to aid in the diagnosis of ADHD.

The US military and NASA use neurofeedback to provide peak performance training. This optimal performance training is used in over 20 military bases prior to deployment to forward combat zones.

What Other Conditions Can Be Helped?

Neurological Dysregulation Syndrome plays a role in many brain based disorders:

ADHD
Insomnia
Anxiety / Depression
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Chemotherapy Cognitive Impairment – “Chemo Brain”

Contact us

To request an appointment, please fill out the form or you can call us at 732-389-2800