language
Research Papers
Language Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury Patient by LORETA Z-Score Neurofeedback: A Single-Case Study
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) creates a variety of sequelae such as aphasia that can be highly challenging for clinicians when developing rehabilitation interventions. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of LORETA z-score neurofeedback (LZNFB) on language performance for a 21-year-old male suffering from aphasia following TBI. To this end, LZNFB was applied while focusing on the language network for 15 sessions. The study used an experimental design with a pre-post comparison. Baseline and posttreatment comparisons were made on qEEG/LORETA metrics, aphasia symptoms, working memory, and attention. The results indicated clinical improvements in language, working memory, and attention performances after 15 sessions of LZNFB. Our findings suggest that LZNFB may have the potential to aid language performance among those with TBI
View Full Paper →Cognitive rehabilitation in addictive disorders
Substance use disorders are frequently associated with neuropsychological deficits. A comprehensive assessment of attention, memory, executive functions, language and mental speed is often warranted. Cognitive rehabilitation is a therapy programme designed as an intervention to help people with cognitive, behaviour and emotional deficits. Using systematic approaches such as cognitive retraining and EEG neurofeedback, the individuals are helped to be integrated into society.
View Full Paper →High-Definition tDCS of Noun and Verb Retrieval in Naming and Lexical Decision
High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a novel brain stimulation method that has high potential for use in language therapy for speakers with aphasia, due to its safety and focality. This study aimed to obtain foundational data on using HD-tDCS to modulate language processing in healthy speakers. Participants received stimulation either of Broca's area or of the left angular gyrus (20 min of anodal, cathodal, and sham stimulation on separate days), followed by naming and lexical decision tasks with single-word verb and noun stimuli. We found that cathodal stimulation over both Broca's area and the left angular gyrus increased naming speed for both verbs and nouns, challenging the traditional view of cathodal stimulation as suppressive or leading to decreased performance. The effect did not extend to the lexical decision task. Additionally, effects of specific stimulation types depended on the order of their administration, suggesting possible physiological carry-over and/or task novelty effects. These results are relevant to the application of HD-tDCS to enhance and direct neural plasticity in patients with neurogenic language disorders.
View Full Paper →Neuromodulation Integrating rTMS and Neurofeedback for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Study
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, language, stereotyped behaviors, and restricted range of interests. In previous studies low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used, with positive behavioral and electrophysiological results, for the experimental treatment in ASD. In this study we combined prefrontal rTMS sessions with electroencephalographic (EEG) neurofeedback (NFB) to prolong and reinforce TMS-induced EEG changes. The pilot trial recruited 42 children with ASD (~14.5 years). Outcome measures included behavioral evaluations and reaction time test with event-related potential (ERP) recording. For the main goal of this exploratory study we used rTMS-neurofeedback combination (TMS-NFB, N = 20) and waitlist (WTL, N = 22) groups to examine effects of 18 sessions of integrated rTMS-NFB treatment or wait period) on behavioral responses, stimulus and response-locked ERPs, and other functional and clinical outcomes. The underlying hypothesis was that combined TMS-NFB will improve executive functions in autistic patients as compared to the WTL group. Behavioral and ERP outcomes were collected in pre- and post-treatment tests in both groups. Results of the study supported our hypothesis by demonstration of positive effects of combined TMS-NFB neurotherapy in active treatment group as compared to control WTL group, as the TMS-NFB group showed significant improvements in behavioral and functional outcomes as compared to the WTL group
View Full Paper →EEG Neurofeedback Treatment of Patients with Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is the most common identifiable cause of intellectual disability, accounting for almost one third of cases and approximately 1 in 800 births. Neurofeedback (NF) is an operant conditioning method for retraining brain wave (EEG) patterns. An increasing number of clinicians use operant conditioning of EEG activity as a method of helping children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Generalized Learning Disability (ADHD/ADD or GLDO). Some Down syndrome children display symptoms of ADHD/ADD, GLDO or both. We believed that NF may have potential in helping children with Down syndrome. Methodology: Eight children with Down Syndrome (ages 6-14) were evaluated through questionnaire, parent interview, and pre- and post-treatment quantitative EEG's. All eight children were seen by the first author and by the special educator at the baseline, and at the 20th, 40th and 60th treatment sessions. Pre-treatment QEEGs were analyzed using the NxLink normative database and generally showed excess delta and theta EEG patterns. None of the subjects were able to speak more than one word sentences and they had very limited vocabulary (between 5-10 words). They usually pointed a finger to communicate and were not able to engage in basic conversation. All children displayed very poor attention and concentration, poor memory, impulsivity, behavior problems, in some cases balance problems. The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate whether QEEG guided, bipolar montage NF training is effective in developing speech, improving attention and concentration, improving learning, decreasing behavioral problems or impulsivity, and alleviating balance problems in Down Syndrome children. All subjects were medication-free during treatment. NF training was conducted using Lexicor Biolex software with electrode placement guided by QEEG findings, seeking to normalize abnormal QEEG patterns. Training continued until the subjects demonstrated improvement and there were significant improvements in the reports of parents, or until a total of 60 treatment sessions were provided. Scores derived from a combination of questionnaire and parental ratings were obtained pre- and post-treatment in the areas of memory, speech and language, attention, behavior, and balance. Results. One subject dropped out after eight sessions. All seven children who completed NF training showed significant (p < .02) improvement in all areas evaluated based on the questionnaire and parent interviewing, and changes were found in QEEGs. Further study with a control group and additional outcome measures is warranted. © by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
View Full Paper →Operant conditioning of left-hemispheric slow cortical potentials and its effect on word processing
This study investigated whether language-related cognitive processes can be modified by learned modulation of cortical activity. Study participants received feedback of slow cortical potentials (SCPs) recorded above left- hemispheric language cortices and were reinforced for producing negative and positive shifts upon two different discriminative stimuli. In all subjects who achieved reliable control of left-hemispheric brain responses, substantial modification of word processing was observed. Behavioral modification could be documented in two experiments in which word probes were presented following discriminative stimuli. When negative shifts of the EEG were required, lexical decisions on words were substantially speeded, while they were slowed during positivity conditions. There was no indication for any performance difference between conditions in control subjects who failed to achieve control over SCPs after feedback training. This result was replicated in an experiment using lateralized-tachistoscopic stimulus presentation. Comparisons of word and pseudoword responses in both experiments indicated that behavioral modification was most pronounced for word responses. It was also not seen in a simple reaction time task not involving language materials. This argues against a global effect related to perception, visuo-spatial attention, or motor processes. We conclude that linguistic processes can be influenced by modification of cortical activity due to operant conditioning. In closing, tentative explanations of the present results based on theories of language and attention processes are being discussed.
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