EEG biofeedback training
Research Papers
Effects of Electrode Placement Upon EEG Biofeedback Training: The Monopolar-Bipolar Controversy
Roles of tradition, convenience, and noise or artifact rejection are discussed with regard to the referential versus bipolar electrode placement controversy in electroencephalography (EEG). Particular emphasis is placed on the relevance to neurofeedback. The crucial interactions between the differential amplifier, brain waves, and referential/bipolar placements are discussed. Through logical analysis and empirical observation, it is demonstrated how the very nature of the EEG differential amplifier must destroy those elements of brain activity which are common (synchronous) to the recording electrodes. Controlled experiments further illustrate the critical importance of electrode placements. Various methods, including preferred electrode placements, are presented to help resolve recording problems that frequently arise. It is concluded that there are serious implications for researchers, EEG clinicians, neurofeedback providers, and their clients in preferring one type of electrode placement technique over another. EEG recording information is affected by this choice.
View Full Paper →A controlled study of the effectiveness of EEG biofeedback training on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Summary In order to study the treatment of the children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test (IVA-CPT) was clinically applied to evaluate the effectiveness of electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback training. Of all the 60 children with ADHD aged more than 6 years, the effective rate of EEG biofeedback training was 91.6% after 40 sessions of EEG biofeedback training. Before and after treatment by EEG biofeedback training, the overall indexes of IVA were significantly improved among predominately inattentive, hyperactive, and combined subtype of children with ADHD (P<0.001). It was suggested that EEG biofeedback training was an effective and vital treatment on children with ADHD.
View Full Paper →Standards for the Use of Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) in Neurofeedback: A Position Paper of the International Society for Neuronal Regulation
Background. This paper presents the findings of an interdisciplinary committee on standards for quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) in neurofeedback which has been unanimously accepted by the International Society for Neuronal Regulation (ISNR) Board as a position paper of ISNR. Method. The committee reviewed current standards for quantitative encephalography in other specialties as well as scholarly literature on QEEG. Results. The panel reached the following conclusions: Although clinical research indicates that a full 19 channel QEEG does not appear necessary for conducting successful neurofeedback training, an increasing number of clinicians are using comprehensive QEEG evaluations to guide their neurofeedback training. An impressive body of peer reviewed scientific literature attests to the utility of the QEEG in providing a scientifically objective and clinically practical assessment of a wide range of psychiatric, psychological and medical conditions. Many of the significant contributions to the field of QEEG have come from psychologists and the Board of Professional Affairs of the American Psychological Association has concluded that QEEG is within the scope of practice of psychologists trained in this specialty. Unlike neurology and psychiatry, where QEEG is principally used for purposes of diagnosing medical pathology, neurotherapists who use QEEG primarily do so to guide EEG biofeedback training. It is not necessary for a physician to screen raw EEG data as part of a QEEG evaluation for neurofeedback training. Conclusions. For the purpose of encouraging high standards, recommendations are made for areas of training and study in this specialty, for certification, for equipment/software, and for procedures in data collection and analysis.
View Full Paper →The effects of electrode placement upon EEG biofeedback training: the monopolar-bipolar controversy
Roles of tradition, convenience, and noise or artifact rejection are discussed with regard to the monopolar versus bipolar electrode placement controversy in electroencephalography (EEG). Particular emphasis is placed on the relevance to biofeedback. The crucial interactions between the differential amplifier, brain waves, and monopolar/bipolar placements are discussed. Through logical analysis and empirical observation, it is demonstrated how the very nature of the EEG's differential amplifiers must destroy those elements of brain activity which are common to the recording electrodes. Controlled experiments further illustrate the critical importance of electrode placements. Various methods, including preferred electrode placements, are presented to help resolve recording problems that frequently arise. It is concluded that there are serious implications for researchers, EEG clinicians, biofeedback providers, and their clients in preferring one type of electrode placement technique over the other. EEG recording accuracy is affected by this choice.
Behavioral management of epileptic seizures following EEG biofeedback training of the sensorimotor rhythm
Eight severely epileptic patients, four males and four females, ranging in age from 10 to 29 years, were trained to increase 12–14 Hz EEG activity from the regions overlying the Rolandic area. This activity, the sensorimotor rhythm(SMR), has been hypothesized to be related to motor inhibitory processes(Sterman, 1974). The patients represented a crosssection of several different types of epilepsy, including grand mal, myoclonic, akinetic, focal, and psychomotor types. Three of them had varying degrees of mental retardation. SMR was detected by a combination of an analog filtering system and digital processing. Feedback, both auditory and/or visual, was provided whenever one-half second of 12–14-Hz activity was detected in the EEG. Patients were provided with additional feedback keyed by the output of a 4–7-Hz filter which indicated the presence of epileptiform spike activity, slow waves, or movement. Feedback for SMR was inhibited whenever slow-wave activity spikes or movement was also present. During the treatment period most of the patients showed varying degrees of improvement. Two of the patients who had been severely epileptic, having multiple seizures per week, have been seizure free for periods of up to 1 month. Other patients have developed the ability to block many of their seizures. Seizure intensity and duration have also decreased. Furthermore, the successful patients demonstrated an increase in the amount of SMR and an increase in amplitude of SMR during the training period. Spectral analyses for the EEGs were performed periodically. The effectiveness of SMR conditioning for the control of epileptic seizures is evaluated in terms of patient characteristics and type of seizures.
View Full Paper →Reduction of epileptic seizures through EEG biofeedback training
Biofeedback training of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) was carried out in three male and three female adolescent epileptics and in two normal controls. The patients represented a cross-section of epilepsies including grand mal, myoclonic, afocal and psychomotor types. Three of the cases were mentally retarded. 12–14 Hz (SMR) activity was detected by a combination of sharp analog filtering and digital processing. The patients were provided with feed-back whenever they produced 0.5 sec of 12–14 Hz activity of a specified amplitude. Additional feedback was provided for epileptiform activity slow waves or movement. Furthermore, feedback for SMR production was inhibited by digital logic circuitry when movement, slow waves or spikes were present. Seizure reduction was obtained in five of the six epileptics. Several patients showed increased percentage of SMR when feedback was provided and varying degrees of normalization in their EEG as demonstrated by fast Fourier, crossed power spectral density and coherence analyses.
View Full Paper →Ready to Optimize Your Brain?
Schedule a free consultation to discuss eeg biofeedback training and how neurofeedback training can help
Or call us directly at 855-88-BRAIN
View Programs & Pricing →