Menu

Neurofeedback treatment

ADD-and-Depression-scaled

ADD and Depression

, , , ,

  “We can hypothesize that much of the depression and ADD-type symptoms are a result of the individual feeling overwhelmed , threatened, or constantly faced with tasks that seem too large or too difficult.  It is easier to let the brain slow down so the person can “zone out” or, as we call it, ” go under-ground.”  Many children who feel overwhelmed become depressed over time, and they appear to have ADD.  They often end up diagnosed with ADD and are prescribed Ritalin and/or other stimulant medication, which can make their condition worse.”   From Getting Rid of Ritalin by Robert W. Hill, Ph.D. and Eduardo Castro, M.D.     A very high percentage of our ADD, depressed clients respond well to neurofeedback.  Many are able to reduce or go off meds under their medical doctor’s  guidance.  

Absence Seizures and Neurofeedback

, ,

From Biofeedback for the Brain by Paul G. Swingle, Ph.D.   

 “Jerry’s blank periods seemed to be absence seizures.  An absence seizure is a condition in which the person appears to go blank, stares “through you.” does not respond to verbal commands, and appears to be in a hypnotic trance.  The seizures may occur frequently  but typically are of short duration, a few seconds. The conventional functional and structural brain assessments such as the MRI and the visual EEG usually are negative.  In addition to neurotherapy, it is appropriate to refer the person to a neurologist for an opinion on the diagnosis.  The treatment for the disorder is to increase the SMR amplitude and to decrease the theta waves over the sensory motor cortex.  Jerry’s case is a good example of letting the treatment be guided by what the Brain Map/qEEG tells us rather than by diagnostic labels.  Jerry is now doing fine.  His special education teacher feels that I “cured” Jerry’s autism.”

Do Neurofeedback Benefits Last?

From Biofeedback for the Brain by Paul G. Swingle, Ph.D.”FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q:  I have heard when you stop taking antidepressant medications, the problems return.  Is this also true of neurotherapy (neurofeedback)?

A:  Once neurotherapy fixes a brainwave anomaly, it’s fixed.  Relapses are rare provided the brain changes have been stabilized.”  pg. 167.

“IQ” Can Be Increased With Neurofeedback

From:  Biofeedback for the Brain by Paul G. Swingle, Ph.D.FREQUENTLY

ASKED QUESTIONS:       

Q:  I have heard that many professional athletes have been treated by neurotherapists.  Can neurotherapy improve the performance of activities other than sports?     

A:  “Very decidedly so.  At the very least, neurotherapy (neurofeedback) will increase your IQ.”     Dr. Swingle has a research paper which documents the average IQ goes up 10 to 12 points.

Pediatrics Neurofeedback with ADHD

, , , ,

EEG 3

From the desk of Dr. Vicki Kelsey,

In November 2012, the American Academy of

Pediatrics approved biofeedback and

Neurofeedback as a Level 1 or “best support”

treatment option for children suffering from ADHD.

Pediatrics. 2014 Mar:  133(3):483-92. doi:10. 1542/peds.2013-2059. Epub 2014 Feb 17

In-school neurofeedback training for ADHD:  sustained improvements from a

randomized control trial.:

Steiner NJ 1, Frenette EC, Rene KM, Brennan RT, Perrin EC

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:  To evaluate sustained improvements 6 months after a 40 session, in-school

computer attention training intervention using neurofeedback or cognitive training (CT)

administered to 7-to 11-year-olds with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODS:  One hundred four children were randomly assigned to receive neurofeedback, CT,

or a control condition and were evaluated 6 months postintervention.  A 3-point growth model

assessed change over time across the conditions on the Conners 3-Parent Assessment Report.

(Conners 3-P), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Parent Form (BRIEF), and a

systematic double-blinded classroom observation (Behavioral Observation of Students in

Schools).  Analysis of variance assessed community-initiated changes in stimulant medication.

RESULTS:  Parent response rates were 90 at the 6-month follow-up.  Six months

postintervention, neurofeedback participants maintained significant gains on Conners 3-P

(Inattention effect size [ES] = 0.34.  Executive Functioning ES = 0.25.  Hyperactivity/Impulsivity

ES = 0.23) and BRIEF subscales including the Global Executive Composite (ES = 0.31), which

remained significantly greater than gains found among children in CT and control conditions.

Children in the CT condition showed delayed improvement over immediate postintervention

ratings only on Conners 3-P Executive Functioning (ES = 0.18) and 2 BRIEF subscales.  At the

6-month follow-up, neurofeedback participants maintained the same stimulant medication

dosage, whereas participants in both CT and control conditions showed statistically and

clinically significant increases (9 mg [P = .002] and 13 mg [P < .001], respectively.)

CONCLUSIONS:  Neurofeedback participants made more prompt and

greater improvements in ADHD symptoms, which were sustained at the 6-month

follow-up, than did CT participants or those in the control group.

This finding suggests that neurofeedback is a promising attention training

treatment for children with ADHD.