alpha brainwaves
Research Papers
EEG Asymmetry Analysis of the Left and Right Brain Activities During Simple versus Complex Arithmetic Learning
Repeated practice of simple arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication has been widely used for effective math education. Brain activity patterns during simple and complex arithmetic calculation have been explored by several research groups using magnetic resonance images (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI), and some have reported that the balanced whole brain (both left and right brain) activities during simple arithmetic in contrast to the predominant left brain activities during complex arithmetic. Methods. In this work, we have identified the characteristic brainwaves and asymmetric activation patterns of the left and right brain during the process of simple and complex arithmetic by measuring theta, alpha, Sensory Motor Response (SMR), and beta brainwaves of 24 participants from the location FP1 (left brain) and FP2 (right brain) using EEG. Results. Simple statistics analysis showed the significantly different beta activities from the left brain during complex arithmetic compared to simple arithmetic process, and through the asymmetry analysis of the left and right brain activities, less symmetrical brain activation during complex calculation, that is, specifically higher SMR, and beta brainwaves in the left hemisphere more than right hemisphere was identified, which is consistent with recent fMRI findings. Conclusion. The results imply that simple arithmetic process may improve the whole brain activities in a balanced way while complex arithmetic induce unbalanced activities of the left and right brain.
View Full Paper →Attention and neurofeedback synchrony training: Clinical results and their significance
Previous research on information processing by the primate brain prompted further investigation of phase synchronized alpha brain wave activity at five loci in humans. The results of this investigation indicated that a particular form of attention was associated with production of whole brain synchrony. Method. Patients were treated with a dual approach, a systematic program of attention training coupled with the regular practice of multi channel alpha phase synchrony training. One hundred thirty-two clinical patients were treated for a variety of stress related symptom categories by six therapists in different locations. Patients were rated for symptom intensity, frequency and duration. Results. It was found that learning to develop this particular form of attention, coupled with the regular practice of multi-channel alpha phase synchrony were effective in resolving many common stress related disorders. Analysis of 132 cases using this dual approach found that more than 90 percent of the patients reported an alleviation of symptoms. These positive results were found with stress-induced headache, joint pain, and gastrointestinal disease. Conclusion. The authors propose that there exists a common mechanism operating in these widely different successful applications; to wit, attentional flexibility, which is achieved through systematic practice of audio taped attention exercises and neurofeedback phase synchrony training. Patients who participated in this program generally reported experiencing a release from their symptoms and from emotional conditioned responses in favor of more flexibility and more stable homeostasis. The significance of this “release experience” is discussed and attention-neurofeedback training is compared to other interventions, which rely exclusively on peripheral modalities of biofeedback training
View Full Paper →The Effects of Brief, Eyes-Open Alpha Brain Wave Training with Audio and Video Relaxation Induction on the EEG of 77 Army Reservists
Background: Recently, psychologist Barry Sterman of the UCLA School of Medicine became involved in measuring the brain wave activity of pilots engaged in a variety of tasks for the purpose of identifying the brain wave correlates of peak performance under different load conditions. Sterman found that during a manageable periodic challenge the brain waves exhibited, in parietal areas, a consistent cycling between resting state alpha (when in the attentive readiness state) and an alpha desynchronized, elevated low beta state when engaged in the response mode. As the tasks came closer together, hence allowing for no alpha respite, there was a deterioration in performance accompanied by an increase in theta activity. In this paper, the effects of brief, eyes-open alpha brain wave enhancement training will be examined for the general purpose of suggesting possible methods for increasing functional integrity and cortical flexibility through increased alpha brain wave production. Methods: The subjects were 77 U.S. Army reservists. The EEG biofeedback system used was the BioIntegrator manufactured by the Bio-Research Institute. Alpha enhancement training was employed with electrode placement at Pz. Results: It was found that eyes-open alpha enhancement training resulted in substantial increases in activity in the feedback band (alpha) with smaller increases in low beta and decreases in theta. This is quite a different result than one would expect from general “relaxation” training that is usually accomplished with eyes closed and yields substantial increases in both alpha and theta. Conclusion: When engaged in this training, even for brief periods, the EEG moves in a direction quite different to that of Sterman's burnout profile. It would be of interest to demonstrate rigorously that the training could, if administered preventatively, diminish poor performance in persons performing tasks that demand prolonged periods of external focus under high load conditions
View Full Paper →Biofeedback as a placebo: Anxiety reduction facilitated by training in either suppression or enhancement of alpha brainwaves
Assessed the differential effects (on experiential reports of anxiety) of actual performance and perceived success at an EEG biofeedback task. 10 college students who were high in trait anxiety (MMPI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) underwent training in either the suppression of enhancement of EEG alpha activity with the expectation that success at their biofeedback task would result in reductions of chronic anxiety levels. Both groups experienced significant reductions in both trait and state anxiety. Anxiety reductions were highly correlated with the trainees' ratings of perceived success at the feedback task but were unrelated to either the direction or magnitude of the changes in their alpha activity. (27 ref)
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