<p>Neurofeedback is based on the success of operant conditioning, the underlying thesis of which is the Law of Effect, which states, when you reward something, you reinforce that behavior. In the case of neurofedback, the patient is rewarded for making the appropriate (programmed) brain wave frequency or connectivity metrics, via either visual or auditory reinforcement.</p><p>Many neurofeedback modalities are preceded by an assessment of the brainwave activity, typically through a Quantitative EEG brainmap; there are schools of neurofeedback that do not do this, including the Othmer method and Valdeen Brown’s Neuroptimal.&nbsp;</p><p>There are many different modalities and ways to do neurofeedback. Some are single channel (one active electrode) some are two channels, some are four channels, and some use a 19-channel cap. Since neurofeedback is EEG biofeedback, using the brainwaves as the mechanism that is measured is brainwave activity.&nbsp;</p><p>During neurofeedback training, individual EEG electrodes or a full 19-channel cap are placed on the scalp and the EEG activity of the patient is monitored and fed back to them in real time. Based on the feedback and the practitioner’s guidance, changes in brainwave patterns occur and are associated with positive changes in physical, emotional, and psychological states of being.&nbsp;</p><p>Often a patient will ask: “how do I make this work?” or “what do I do?” and the answer is they “will” the screen (or tone) to respond positively to them. The answer that I always use is: “get out of your own way and let your brain do its thing, do not get too attached to doing better or doing worse, it will continue to ebb and flow.”&nbsp;</p><p>Neurofeedback is based on the principle that the brain responds to ‘information’ on a conscious and nonconscious manner, and typically without any assistance. We have the ability for complex processing. We find most tasks like breathing, eating and digestion are ultimately performed without our focused attention.</p>