qEEG
A qEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalogram) is a diagnostic tool that is used to measure a person's electrical activity in the brain via brain wave patterns.
What is a qEEG?
The brain has millions of neurons that communicate with each other in the form of brain waves, synchronized electrical pulses. They are the root of all our:
Emotions
Thoughts
Behaviors
Because brain waves change according to what we’re doing and feeling, we can tell a lot about a person’s overall brain function by looking at brain wave patterns.
Brain Training
(neurofeedback)
A fun, non-invasive, drug-free treatment that helps you strengthen and retrain your brain.
Why neurofeedback (brain training)?
Many of the functions our bodies perform are not intentional or executed consciously. It would be safe to say we are not aware of all the intricacies going on inside our heads or how our emotions and thought are related to all the connections made in our brain
The brain contains billions of neurons that are constantly sending signals to one another in order to function. We are just beginning to learn what a key role these signals, called brain waves, play in our mental and physical health.
In the 1930’s it was discovered that exchanges between the neurons produce a small electromagnetic field. This discovery made possible to map those exchanges via Quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG).
Effects of an EEG biofeedback protocol on a mixed substance abusing population
ABSTRACT
This study examined whether an EEG biofeedback protocol could improve outcome measures for a mixed substance abusing inpatient population.
METHOD
One hundred twenty-one volunteers undergoing an inpatient substance abuse program were randomly assigned to the EEG biofeedback or control group. EEG biofeedback included training in Beta and SMR to address attentional variables, followed by an alpha-theta protocol. Subjects received a total of 40 to 50 biofeedback sessions. The control group received additional time in treatment equivalent to experimental procedure time. The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), and MMPI, were administered with both tester and subject blind as to group placement to obtain unbiased baseline data. Treatment retention and abstinence rates as well as psychometric and cognitive measures were compared.
RESULSTS
Experimental subjects remained in treatment significantly longer than the control group (p <0.005). Of the experimental subjects completing the protocol, 77% were abstinent at 12 months, compared to 44% for the controls. Experimental subjects demonstrated significant improvement on the TOVA (p<.005) after an average of 13 beta-SMR sessions. Following alpha-theta training, significant differences were noted on 5 of the 10 MMPI-2 scales at the p<.005 level.
CONCLUSIONS
This protocol enhanced treatment retention, variables of attention, and abstinence rates one year following treatment.
William C Scott 1 , David Kaiser, Siegfried Othmer, Stephen I Sideroff
EEG neurofeedback treatments in children with ADHD: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlle
OBJECTIVE
We undertook a meta-analysis of published Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) with semi-active control and sham-NF groups to determine whether Electroencephalogram-neurofeedback (EEG-NF) significantly improves the overall symptoms, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity dimensions for probably unblinded assessment (parent assessment) and probably blinded assessment (teacher assessment) in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
DATA SOURCES
A systematic review identified independent studies that were eligible for inclusion in a random effects meta-analysis.
DATA EXTRACTION
Effect sizes for ADHD symptoms were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Five identified studies met eligibility criteria, 263 patients with ADHD were included, 146 patients were trained with EEG-NF. On parent assessment (probably unblinded assessment), the overall ADHD score (SMD = -0.49 [-0.74, -0.24]), the inattention score (SMD = -0.46 [-0.76, -0.15]) and the hyperactivity/impulsivity score (SMD = -0.34 [-0.59, -0.09]) were significantly improved in patients receiving EEG-NF compared to controls. On teacher assessment (probably blinded assessment), only the inattention score was significantly improved in patients receiving EEG-NF compared to controls (SMD = -0.30 [-0.58, -0.03]).
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis of EEG-NF in children with ADHD highlights improvement in the inattention dimension of ADHD symptoms. Future investigations should pay greater attention to adequately blinded studies and EEG-NF protocols that carefully control the implementation and embedding of training.
KEYWORDS
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; learning; neurofeedback; practice guidelines; randomized controlled trial.
Jean-Arthur Micoulaud-Franchi 1, Pierre Alexis Geoffroy 2, Guillaume Fond 3, Régis Lopez 4, Stéphanie Bioulac 5, Pierre Philip 6
Treatment of Anxiety Disorder with Neurofeedback: Case Study
The objective of the present study is to report the effects of beta-increase and alpha- increase EEG feedback training along with alpha-theta biofeedback training in two patients diagnosed with anxiety disorder. The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and patients’ self reports were used as objective measures of treatment efficacy. Following 30 sessions of EEG biofeedback within a three-month period, patients reported a significant reduction in anxiety-related symptoms. At one-year follow-up, results of SCL-90-R showed all clinical scales within normal range. In addition, self-reports confirmed that the patients were symptom free. In general, the current study findings demonstrated that neurofeedback was an effective treatment for anxiety disorder.
Afsaneh Moradi, Farzaneh Pouladi, Nooshin Pishva, Bagher Rezaei, Maliheh Torshabi, Zahra Alam Mehrjerdi
Neurofeedback Shows ‘Surprising’ Benefits in Depression
Neurofeedback may offer a viable treatment for patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD), according to a pilot study presented this month at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference in Paris.
“Our results suggested that neurofeedback might be an effective complementary treatment to make patients feel well again and successfully engage with life,” said researcher Eun-Jin Cheon, MD, PhD, a professor at Yeungnam University Hospital, South Korea. “The most promising thing about neurofeedback is it doesn't cause even mild side effects.”
Previous research has shown different brainwaves are associated with different moods and brain states. For this study, 12 patients with treatment-resistant MDD concentrated on changing the levels of particular types of brainwaves as they were displayed on a computer screen during once- or twice-weekly sessions over 12 weeks.
During each hour-long session, patients received beta/sensorimotor rhythm training for half the session and alpha/theta training during the other half. Patients in the neurofeedback group continued taking their antidepressants, as did another 12 patients in a medication-only control group.
Over the 12 weeks of the study, 8 of the 12 patients who engaged in neurofeedback improved on various depression scales that measured both symptoms and functional impairment. Five patients improved enough to be considered in remission. In contrast, patients in the control group did not show significant improvement by the study’s end.
Researchers are continuing to observe the patients whose depression remitted to see how long the improvement lasts.
“We need to emphasize that this is a small study — if you like, it's still at the level of clinical science rather than clinical treatment, so we are a long way from this finding its way into the clinic,” Dr. Cheon said. “But the results surprised us. It merits further investigation.”
—Jolynn Tumolo
REFERENCE
Pilot study shows that neurofeedback may help treatment-resistant depression [press release]. Paris, France: European College of Neuropsychopharmacology; September 3, 2017.
An Overview of the Use of Neurofeedback Biofeedback for the Treatment of Symptoms of Traumatic Brain
BACKGROUND
Neurofeedback, a type of biofeedback, is an operant conditioning treatment that has been studied for use in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in both civilian and military populations. In this approach, users are able to see or hear representations of data related to their own physiologic responses to triggers, such as stress or distraction, in real time and, with practice, learn to alter these responses in order to reduce symptoms and/or improve performance.
OBJECTIVE
This article provides a brief overview of the use of biofeedback, focusing on neurofeedback, for symptoms related to TBI, with applications for both civilian and military populations, and describes a pilot study that is currently underway looking at the effects of a commercial neurofeedback device on patients with mild-to-moderate TBIs.
CONCLUSTIONS
Although more research, including blinded randomized controlled studies, is needed on the use of neurofeedback for TBI, the literature suggests that this approach shows promise for treating some symptoms of TBI with this modality. With further advances in technology, including at-home use of neurofeedback devices, preliminary data suggests that TBI survivors may benefit from improved motivation for treatment and some reduction of symptoms related to attention, mood, and mindfulness, with the addition of neurofeedback to treatment.
KEYWORDS
traumatic brain injury, TBI, biofeedback, neurofeedback, EEG, mindfulness
Sarah N. Gray, PsyD
Brain Integration Technique
How does BIT work? BIT re-patterns brain activities by working with the electromagnetic flow of information in the brain and rewiring this flow from the inside. This helps the brain to cope with difficulties and use more of its potential. BIT ensures that the brain is able to process information simultaneously and efficiently. While traditional Brain Integration Therapies require extensive at-home exercises, the techniques developed by Charles Krebs (LEAP), Susan McCrossin (Crossinology), and Ian Stubbings (SIPS) have consistently provided immediate results with minimal to no at-home exercises. At Genesis, your in-office visits will use the LEAP/Crossinology Technique (same technique, two names) and the SIPS (Stress Indicator Point System) technique that was developed along with Charles Krebs, to ensure proper information flow. You or your loved one will then receive instruction on how to care for yourself should new stressors arise, leaving you fully prepared for a lifetime of success.