This article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. Please help with a. (October 2009) Introduction to Neurofeedback ( NFB), also called neurotherapy, neurobiofeedback or EEG biofeedback ( EEGBF) is a therapy technique that presents the user with real-time information about activity within their brain, as measured by electrical or blood-flow sensors on the scalp. Brain activity is monitored and processed to provide feedback to the user in one of several ways, for example a video game rocket ship might accelerate when desired brainwaves are produced (positive feedback), or a film or music might pause when undesired brainwaves are produced (negative feedback). The user then uses this feedback to develop the brainwaves they wish to create and as a consequence, learn to gain more control over their brainwaves and therefore how they think and feel in every day situations.
It has been used to help a range of conditions including ADHD and addictions. General Software Type Version Operating systems Developer FDA cleared Supported Devices: amplitude training Clinic 1.4; Home 1.5 BetterFly Neurofeedback Classification by device U-WIZ, PocketNeurobics PendantEEG, BrainMaster 2EB: visual designer 2.0, PROATECH LLC No (but basis of Cygnet and others) Pocket Neurobics, BrainQuiry, NeuroAmp, Brainmaster, QDS 1.5 Cyberevolution, Larry Janow No 'Intended for personal use.' Brainmaster, BrainQuiry, NeuroAmp, J&J, Pocket Neurobics, QDS, Telediagnostic Systems / 6.1.0 Thought Technology Ltd, Dr.
Hal Myers Yes Thought Technology, QEEG 2015 Mind Media B.V. Medical class II NeXus by Mind Media 4, 10 (MKII), 32 Game? Java Amy Palke No: MIDI, particle display? Chris Veigl and Jeremy Wilkerson No v12 Deymed Diagnostic Yes Deymed, and QEEG; optional live z-scores (ANI or BrainDX), Live sLORETA Projector. Various including BrainAvatar. Third-party SW includes: NeuroGuide, BioExplorer, BioERA, BrainPaint, SKIL, LENS, EEGer, BrainTrain, OpenVibe, EEGStudio BrainMaster Technologies, Inc. FDA 510(k) clearance, ISO 13485 certification, and CE marking in Europe Brainmaster 2E, 2EW, 2EB, Atlantis, Discovery, MINI-Q Evidence Based, with a validated and replicated symptom based evaluation tool.
2.0 Includes BrainPrint™, Alpha Theta, Brain-Heart Coherence, Couples Synchrony, Nonlinear, Slow Cortical Potential, Coherence training and all other frequency rewards and inhibits. N/A BrainPaint, Inc. Scott FDA 510(k) clearance, ISO 13485 certification, and CE marking in Europe Brainmaster 2E, 2EW, 2EB, Atlantis, Discovery Brainwave viewer 1.0.5, Jim Peters No: one- and two channel frequency band training and ILF (SCP) training according to Othmer, Alpha-Theta training. With additional Mitsar device or x23 accessory also tomographic (sLoreta) neurofeedback. Add-ons for sLoreta feedback and flexible system configuration fully approved but not available to clinicians. For research institutions only. Biofeedback: pIR far-infrared triple-sensor feedback 2.0 BEE Systems LLC / Corscience FDA class II, CE class IIa; Software approved including feedback animations by SomaticVision; accessory to EEG NeuroAmp NeuroAmp plus add-ons: NeuroAmp x23, pIRx3, tactile feedback & Temp 3.0 Somatic Vision Inc.
Unknown (not EEG) & Analysis one-, two- and four channel training, Amplitude-, relative Amplitude-, Coherence-, Band-Ratio-, Asymmetry-inhibit-Training and more. 1.5 Soft-dynamics, Geoffrey Arens No - not stated or in FDA database Pocket Neurobics, Neurobit Systems, Brainmaster & Analysis 4.3.0 EEG Software LLC FDA Class II J&J, Telediagnostic Systems, Phoenix Neuro Systems, Thought Technology, Brainmaster, Brainquiry, Pocket Neurobics, external analog amplifiers 0.4 Rob Sacks No Visual environment for designing behavioral experiments and mental games with real-time neurofeedback control and signal processing. 1.0 Okazolab Ltd No The majority of popular bio-amplifiers, and EEG-Driven Entrainment 1.3 Transparent Corporation No but can use Bioexplorer, Biograph, BioEra links See Bioexplorer, Biograph, BioEra 1.1 MindReflector Technologies, LLC No Neurofeedback & Analysis 8.7.5 Windows NeuroField, Inc. Proprietary FDA Class II X3000 Plus and Q20 EEG Customizable, protocol designing and automated therapy solution 1.2.0, neuromore Inc. No 2.0 Valdeane W.
What is Neurofeedback? Neurofeedback is direct training of brain function, by which the brain learns to function more efficiently. We observe the brain in action from moment to moment. We show that information back to the person.
And we reward the brain for changing its own activity to more appropriate patterns. This is a gradual learning process. It applies to any aspect of brain function that we can measure. Neurofeedback is also called EEG Biofeedback, because it is based on electrical brain activity, the electroencephalogram, or EEG. Neurofeedback is training in self-regulation.
It is simply biofeedback applied to the brain directly. Self-regulation is a necessary part of good brain function. Self-regulation training allows the system (the central nervous system) to function better.
Neurofeedback addresses problems of brain dysregulation. These happen to be numerous. They include the anxiety-depression spectrum, attention deficits, behavior disorders, various sleep disorders, headaches and migraines, PMS and emotional disturbances.
It is also useful for organic brain conditions such as seizures, the autism spectrum, and cerebral palsy. Our intellectual abilities and emotional resources can be considerably enhanced with neurofeedback training.
Siegfried Othmer Ph.D. How Does it Work? We apply electrodes to the scalp to listen in on brainwave activity. We process the signal by computer, and we extract information about certain key brainwave frequencies. (All brainwave frequencies are equal, but some are more equal than others.) We show the ebb and flow of this activity back to the person, who attempts to change the activity level. Some frequencies we wish to promote. Others we wish to diminish.
We present this information to the person in the form of a video game. The person is effectively playing the video game with his or her brain. Eventually the brainwave activity is 'shaped' toward more desirable, more regulated performance.
The frequencies we target, and the specific locations on the scalp where we listen in on the brain, are specific to the conditions we are trying to address, and specific to the individual. Who Provides Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback (EEG Biofeedback) is typically provided by mental health professionals such as psychologists, family therapists, and counselors. These professions usually work with clients one-on-one. The training may also be provided by nurses, clinical social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and educators. MDs also provide the service, but with the exception of psychiatrists, will usually have the service provided by a trained staff person. Is Neurofeedback a Cure? In the case of organic brain disorders, it can only be a matter of getting the brain to function better rather than of curing the condition. When it comes to problems of disregulation, we would say that there is not a disease to be cured.
Where disregulation is the problem, self-regulation may very well be the remedy. But again the word 'cure' would not apply.
What Conditions Can it Help? We are especially concerned with the more 'intractable' brain-based problems of childhood whose needs are not currently being met. This includes, Seizures and sub-clinical seizure activity, Severely disruptive behavior disorders such as Conduct Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, Autistic spectrum and pervasive developmental delay, Cerebral palsy, Acquired brain injury, Birth trauma. Many children have sleep problems that can be helped such as Bed wetting, Sleep walking, sleep talking, Teeth grinding, Nightmares, Night terrors. We can also be helpful with many of the problems of adolescence including Drug abuse, Suicidal behavior, Anxiety and depression. We can also help to maintain good brain function as people get older. The good news is that almost any brain, regardless of its level of function, can be trained to function better.
If the problem being addressed is one of brain disregulation, then the answer is yes, and that covers a lot of ground. Neurofeedback involves learning by the brain and if that brings order out of disorder, the brain will continue to use its new capabilities, and thus reinforce them. Matters are different when we are dealing with degenerative conditions like Parkinson's or the dementias, or when we are working against continuing insults to the system, as may be the case in the autism spectrum.
In such cases the training needs to be continued at some level over time. Allergic susceptibilities and food intolerances make it more difficult to hold the gains. Poor digestive function will pose a problem, as does poor nutrition. A child living in a toxic environment (in either the physical or the psychological sense) will have more difficulty retaining good function.
What is the Success Rate? Through our twenty years of experience with neurofeedback, we have reached the point of having very high expectations for success in training.
When such success is not forthcoming, or if the gains cannot hold, then there is usually a reason for that which needs to be pursued. In the normal course of events, neurofeedback ought to work with everybody. That is to say, nearly everyone should make gains that they themselves would judge to be worthwhile. Our brains are made for learning and skill-acquisition.
On the other hand, we are working with many families whose expectations have been lowered by their past experience. And they need to see progress before they will share our optimism. We understand that. It turns out that among the vast majority of clients (95% in one clinician's experience) the actual outcome exceeds the prior expectations. Against such low expectations, the changes that can be produced with neurofeedback may even appear miraculous. One EEG Biofeedback office has a sign on its front desk: 'We expect miracles. If none occur, something has gone wrong.'
What appears miraculous in all of this is really nothing more than the incredible capacity of our brains to recover function when given a chance. What About Medications? With successful neurofeedback training, the medications targeting brain function may very well no longer be needed, or they may be needed at lower dosages, as the brain takes over more of the role of regulating itself. This decrease in medications is particularly striking when the medications play a supportive role in any event, as is often the case for the more severe disorders that we are targeting with our work. It is important for clients to communicate with their prescribing physician regarding neurofeedback and medications. Is it Covered by Insurance? Who won the gallic wars. Many of the conditions we address with neurofeedback involve long-term training, as the brain's capacity to function is gradually enhanced.
For some children, neurofeedback may remain a useful challenge over their life span. To make this economically viable, remote training is an available option for parents. Remote training refers to home training under the (remote) supervision of a clinician. After parents have had their child trained with a clinician for at least twenty sessions, they may transition to remote training and continue on that basis, consulting with the clinician regularly to monitor progress and determine changes in protocol.
Then training can be done frequently and consistently, on an affordable basis. Videos Coffee with Kurt: Ep.
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9 Learn how self-regulation training allows the central nervous system to function better. EEG Directory The EEG Directory is a great place to find a provider. You may search by zip code to locate a provider in your local area.
Reference Books EEG Info Newsletter The newsletter usually circulates 2 - 3 times a month. A variety of topics related to the neurofeedback field are covered in over 200 articles.
Advanced Media Player for Cygnet Advanced Media Player is a video and DVD feedback option available only for Cygnet. It works with infra-low training frequencies, and includes discrete feedback for reward and inhibit information. Advanced Media Player for Cygnet and NeuroAmp plays almost any DVD or video clip from your library.
The perfect feedback for those clients who may enjoy more variety in their sessions. Features: › Clients can bring their favorite DVD movies to their sessions › Six different feedback effects: Black Dots, Box, Double Doors, Pixelate, Shrink or Wipe-In › Add variety and fun to your client's neurofeedback experience › Choose feedback that is perfectly suited for your clients of all ages.
The possibilities are endless! Trials included with your free Cygnet update.
Neurofeedback Games Emotional Regulation
Alpha-Theta Reflections for Cygnet Alpha-Theta Reflections increases the effectiveness and audio quality of Alpha-Theta training with cleaner sounds, new linear reward feedback, new Delta inhibit sleep feedback and more. Alpha-Theta Reflections also improves the quality and the impact of the original Alpha-Theta soundscape and offers a variety of new soundscape environments. › Improved feedback effectiveness.
› New types of feedback including linear reward feedback and Delta inhibit feedback. › Higher quality audio files. › Choose classic Alpha-Theta or try one of the new environments like fireplace, autumn leaves and ocean sunset. › Each environment contains an optional guided imagery introduction and beautiful responsive visuals. Trials included with your free Cygnet update.
Dreamscapes for Cygnet New from Somatic Vision! Environment and Minigame pack for Cygnet Features Watch and interact with beautiful new environments or use the gamepad to play mini games or get creative. 7 Environments Aurora, Binary, Eons, Fireworks, Montage, Rainforest Hike, Waterfall 2 Mini-Games Danger Run and Magical Forrest 4 Creativity-Games 3D Paint, Building Blocks, Paint and Stamps, Video Effects 6 Brain Games Jigsaw Puzzle, Math Asteroid, Memory Puzzle, Slider Puzzle, Word Search, Word Snake Trials included with your free Cygnet update.
DualDrive Xtreme for Cygnet or BioExplorer Cutting edge graphics and music make this game engaging to even your toughest ADHD clients. There are 7 race cars to choose from and each level - from lava land to lunar landscapes - offers a different world to race in. Your client can choose to race solo or compete with other cars. Our clients, especially the younger ones, are all requesting it. Play hands-free or with a gamepad (sold separately) Attach a gamepad to steer your car manually while staying above reward and below inhibits to keep your car moving.
Neurofeedback Video Games
This extra level of interaction helps keep your ADHD clients maintain focus and interest. Hyper Pong for Cygnet Hyper Pong is an exciting and fast-paced neurofeedback game, designed to hold the interest of children and those who love the classic Pong game it is inspired. Your clients will be hooked, watching the ball ricochet around the screen. Before they know it, their session will be over and they'll be ready to come back for more. This version of the original Hyper Pong has been updated with improved graphics and feedback, including a new particle trail on the pong ball. Upgrade to Hyper Pong Infinity for even more exciting levels. InnerTube for Cygnet or BioExplorer With ambient music and state-of-the-art graphics, your client uses his/her brainwaves to fly through up to 80 different tunnels.
There are 4 ships to choose from and enough variety to keep clients of all ages focused and interested for many, many sessions. Also, InnerTube can be played with a gamepad (sold separately) or keyboard which controls directionality and engages adolescent populations.
Real 3D graphics, 20 unique levels, responsive background music and optional gamepad control keep your clients interested and focused. Trials included with your free Cygnet update. InnerTube Expansion for Cygnet or BioExplorer InnerTube Expansion Features Music from World Renowned Composer James Hood (Expansion pack available for customers who have already purchased the full version of InnerTube) Expansion pack includes 8 new level packs and 20 free trials. Toy Train Adventures for Cygnet Collect all of the gems in this colorful and playful new game The array of colorful gems and playful experience will be exciting to even your most challenging autistic clients. There are 8 settings to choose from, each with 4 different gem arrangements, giving you a total of 32 levels that are sure to engage even your youngest clients!
They will love collecting the gems and moving from one level to the next. When staying above reward, the train moves fast giving off lots of colorful smoke and keeps the gems large and easy to collect. Staying below inhibit clears the fog and keeps the music loud. You will hear the train's whimsical 'toot' when your client is both above reward and below inhibit. Features: › Camera View: Choose between static or moving train/first person camera view › Smoke Color: Color of the smoke varies in relation to reward › Gem Size: The gems change size when the reward changes › Engine Sound: Engine sounds change with reward amplitude › Whimsical Toot: Choose between loud, normal, quiet or off › Music Volume: Set to loud, quiet or off Trials included with your free Cygnet update. Tropical Heat for Cygnet Escape to a Tropical Paradise with the Jet Ski Game for Cygnet and NeuroAmp Ride waves & perform amazing Jet Ski stunts!
The longer you play Tropical Heat, the more fun it becomes. Discover amazing new stunts, tricks and combinations. Collect a wide range of achievement medals for special in-game tasks while cruising leisurely through refreshing tropical rain and Luau style night life.
Features: › Customize your character: gender, swimsuit, hair style, sunglasses, and jet ski › Set the mood: choose relaxing, energizing, or tropical music Trials included with your free Cygnet update.