If it sounds like rocket science – it is. Well, a little rocket sciencecombined with a lot of neurobiology. The technology ofneurofeedback – often easier to perform than to explain – hasa growing body of research proving its efficacy for a variety ofhealth issues.
While many pursue neurofeedback in the ever–present desirefor peak performance (or a quicker way to get “into the zone”)neurofeedback has more medical applications. In particular, themodality has been found effective for helping in attention–deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anger management, migraines, epilepsy,insomnia, anxiety and traumatic brain injury. We’ll look atthe first two on the list.
Attention Deficit What’s Happening? You might call it the mismatched brain.The most recent brain imaging studies by researchers at the NationalInstitutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of MentalHealth (NIMH) on youth with attention–deficit/hyperactivitydisorder show that while maturation of circuitry in the frontaland temporal areas is delayed by as many as three years, the motorcortex actually matures sooner than normal in youth withADHD. The slowing frontal lobe results in less ability to filterand stop inappropriate actions and thoughts, focus attention andremember things from moment to moment. Typical pharmacologymodels use stimulant medication to help pump up thoseareas. It’s paradoxical, isn’t it? Give a hyperactive or inattentivekid a stimulant, and it settles him down by speeding up his frontallobe. Unfortunately, those medications also have a variety ofnasty side effects.
How neurofeedback works: The bulk of research related toneurofeedback is in the treatment of ADHD. One technique decreasesthe activity of the theta band and increases the activity ofthe low beta band, thus aiming at a more attentive state. A secondtechnique trains slow cortical potentials (event–related changesof cortical activity), aiming more directly at the control of corticalregulation and at the efficient allocation of resources. Thelargest study to date, which takes into account both case studiesand controlled studies over the last thirty years, found that neurofeedbackis promising, with approximately 75 percent of patientsin each of the studies showing improvement, and 50 to 80percent reducing their medications. The key to neurofeedbackfor ADHD has several elements: because it is very localized it ispossible to specifically address those delays and train frontal lobeactivity. In addition, neurofeedback promotes self–regulation bymeans of immediate feedback and positive reinforcement whenthe brain is functioning well. When these positive behavioral effectsare complemented by parental and teacher support, studiesshow the benefits of neurofeedback are multiplied.
Anger management What’s happening? As part of our brain’s limbic system, theamygdala is responsible for emotional and often impulsive orerratic reactions such as anger, fear and recklessness. In adults,these reactions are tempered by reasoning and social awareness.Without the frontal lobe fully engaged, however, it becomes hardfor individuals to understand the future consequences of impulsiveactions. Studies have also found the prefrontal cortex and theventral striatum may play a role in anger. As the field of neurobiologycontinues to mature and we discover technology that allowsus to more closely study the brain, scientists will, no doubt,continue to unravel the mysteries of anger and aggression.
How neurofeedback works: Whatever the individual cause,we know our brain contains a virtual symphony conductor thatestablishes the basic timing for brain activity. A breakdown of therhythm leads to disruption of function. Neurofeedback with itssuccess in regulating brain rhythms has tremendous potential fortoxic tempers. One set of protocols resets the limbic system fromoverdrive to normal, reversing a state of hyper–vigilance andhyper–arousal. This has been particularly successful in dealingwith individuals suffering from post–traumatic stress disorder.Another protocol reaches into the temporal lobe, where there’sbeen dramatic success in the use of neurofeedback for those withintermittent explosive disorder. Typical anger management takesa cognitive approach, teaching strategies such as avoidance or“count to ten,” assuming some cognitive control over the angerresponse. Neurofeedback, on the other hand, offers a pre–cognitiveresponse by training the brain to regulate itself and shiftstates more quickly.
Making it work for you There are several criteria to making neurofeedback work in atherapeutic setting.
- Be open. Neurofeedback works because your brain is receiving certain cues that are directly related to what’s going on inside it. However, a willing patient speeds up that process.
- Find a licensed counselor, nurse, therapist, physician or social worker that is working under the oversight of a state–licensing agency. Make sure that person is certified to treat people with mental or physiological issues.
- See someone with good neurofeedback training through a reputable company, such as EEG Spectrum, and a year or more of supervised practice.
- As with any emerging science, people claim they can cure almost anything. Don’t go to anyone making claims that can’t be substantiated.
There will come a day when we know a lot more about howneurofeedback works, what works best for certain issues andwhy. Right now, there is a common body of knowledge based ongood solid research and case studies. What we’ve found is thatneurofeedback doesn’t fix everything for everybody, but it is aviable alternative and/or complementary treatment for certainconditions.
