brainwave biofeedback

Slow Cortical Potentials Neurofeedback

Until recently, slow cortical potentials (SCP) training as a method of brainwave feedback has been widely ignored in the Anglo-American tradition of neurofeedback. One of the reasons was the lack of reliable and valid equipment outside a few research labs in Europe. In the meantime this has changed to the better. With devices now being available there is growing interest in SCP feedback. SCPs are very low shifts of brain activity. As they regulate excitation thresholds they may be used for self-regulation training in pathological conditions where excitation thresholds are impaired. This article explains technical requirements; describes training protocols; and gives a short overview on controlled research in epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and migraine.

Brainwave Biofeedback for Addictive Disorder

QEEG-Guided Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Introduction. Blinded, placebo-controlled research (e.g., Sterman, 2000) has documented the ability of brainwave biofeedback to recondition brain wave patterns. Neurofeedback has been used successfully with uncontrolled epilepsy, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, and head injuries. However, nothing has been published on the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with neurofeedback. Method. Quantitative EEGs were gathered on two consecutive OCD patients who sought treatment. This assessment guided protocol selection for subsequent neurofeedback training. Results. Scores on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and the Padua Inventory normalized following treatment. An MMPI was administered pre-post to one patient, and she showed dramatic improvements not only in OCD symptoms, but also in depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and in becoming extroverted rather than introverted and withdrawn. Discussion. In follow-ups of the two cases at 15 and 13 months after completion of treatment, both patients were maintaining improvements in OCD symptoms as measured by the Padua Inventory and as externally validated through contacts with family members. Since research has found that pharmacologic treatment of OCD produces only very modest improvements and behavior therapy utilizing exposure with response prevention is experienced as quite unpleasant and results in treatment dropouts, neurofeedback appears to have potential as a new treatment modality.