<p></p><h3><span style="color: rgb(82, 96, 105); font-size: 1rem; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;">Neurofeedback is also called “EEG Biofeedback” and is the field of using feedback to change the brain’s electrical patterning. A treatment modality used by nurses, MDs, social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists, and neurologists, neurofeedback has become a way to blend the brilliance of empirical assessment and observation (via raw electroencephalography “EEG” and quantitative EEG) as a diagnostic tool and means of treatment into the realms of psychology and psychotherapy (Robbins, 2000).</span><br></h3><div><div><p>The Biofeedback Certification International Alliance&nbsp;defines EEG biofeedback (also called neurofeedback) as:</p><h4><i>“EEG Biofeedback is employed to modify the electrical activity of the [central nervous system] CNS including EEG, event related potentials, slow cortical potentials, and other electrical activity either of subcortical or cortical origin. Neurofeedback is a specialized application of biofeedback of brainwave data in an operant conditioning paradigm. The method is used to treat clinical conditions as well as to enhance performance.”</i></h4><h3><b>Frequency of Sessions</b></h3><p></p><div><div><div><p>Neurofeedback therapy typically consists of multiple sessions per week; experienced practitioners have learned that more intensive sessions (some up to daily) create change more quickly. This is because the brain does not get the opportunity to go back to its old ways of being.&nbsp; If you use the analogy of going to the gym--neurofeedback is like a session of strength training. If you go to the gym once per week, you will not build muscle nearly as quickly as if you go daily, or three times per week. In fact, if you only go once per week, but maintain your habits outside of the gym (eating whatever you want, sleeping odd hours, keeping bad habits) then you will not notice a change from your weekly gym session.</p><p><img src="@@PLUGINFILE@@/Gym.jpg" alt="Gym" width="500" height="281" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_left">From this author's experience, early in my career as a neurofeedback professional, my results were mediocre. Patients would spend hundreds or thousands of dollars and commit lots of time to neurofeedback treatment, some have success, some having none, and many saying "I'm not sure, maybe its because I'm eating better / exercising more / taking this supplement...".&nbsp; You get the picture.&nbsp;</p><p>In retrospect, one of the main reasons my results were lackluster was that I was not seeing patients on a regular enough basis. The brain will choose the path of least resistance, when given the option. So, if you are not challenging that person's programming on a regular basis (at least in the beginning of neurofeedback) your results will be "meh." I nearly quit the field at one point, because I did not believe neurofeedback therapy worked.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>I didn't quit, and instead fine-tuned a few things. I can now say that my success (and the success of my clinic and many of my colleagues) is closer to 80-85%. I expect to see results quickly.&nbsp;In full transparency, my success as a clinician hinged on a few things.&nbsp;&nbsp;<span>First,</span>&nbsp;this change in fortune was due to the incorporation of neurostimulation into my practice--initially with pEMF and then with tACS/tDCS, random noise, brown noise, and pink noise (these modalities are for some, but not all clinicians, and by no means are they the only road to success).&nbsp;<span>Secondly</span>, my neuroanalytical capabilities widened and my ability to assess brainwave activity became more seasoned (this is a life-long pursuit and may be a life-long pursuit of yours).&nbsp; Finally, I began to request that patients begin seeing me on a more intensive basis, beginning at a minimum of three times per week, something I call the "titration model;" this has been fundamental to people getting better, faster. This model is covered later in this online training.</p></div></div></div><div><div><div><p>Neurofeedback is not considered a cure, but rather a method of managing or regulating the workings of the brain so it functions in a healthier manner. This is achieved by repeated training sessions using a computerized neurofeedback program that teaches your central nervous system to reorganize and regulate brainwave frequencies. Neurofeedback assesses your brain and provides information about areas of dysfunction that are causing symptoms so that they can be treated directly. Various neurofeedback methods and equipment are used for different types of neurological problems.</p><p>In 2015, clinical neurofeedback has been combined with stimulation technologies—such as pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (pEMF), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS), Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation, Transcranial Pink Noise Stimulation, and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). Neurostimulation is also known as neuromodulation, and is another form of brain training that works as a stand-alone treatment modality or in conjunction with neurofeedback.</p></div></div></div><p></p><h5><img src="@@PLUGINFILE@@/Stimulation%20Modalities.png" alt="Stimulation Modalities" width="1136" height="590" role="presentation" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_middle"><br></h5><p><i style="font-size: 1rem;">Image of neuromodulation protocols from the Genesis Hardware in the Neurofield64 system.</i><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The application of neurostimulation in neurotherapy will be detailed in Chapter 9: Current Trends in Neurofeedback. For the time being, however, the forms of stimulation shown above are transcranial modalities, which involve two electrodes (minimum) to deliver direct current, alternating current (i.e. frequency), and forms of noise (brown, pink and white).</span></p><p><img src="@@PLUGINFILE@@/TMS.png" alt="TMS" width="345" height="309" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_left">Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stim (seen in the purple picture to the left) is the use of a magnet to depolarize the neurons under the site of the magnet. The popular and insurance-approved use of this modality at present is over the left dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex for the treatment of major depressive disorder and over the right dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex for forms of anxiety. This modality is prescribed and applied by MDs and not commonly used in neurotherapy practices.</p><p>Finally, pulsed electro-magnetic stimulation is the use of a copper coil, through which electricity is passed to create an electro-magnetic field. The field emanates and covers a wide range. pEMF has proved useful for both brain and body work. Below is the Neurofield X3000 pEMF system. This is a great way for practitioners to enter the realm of neurostimulation, as it is low level and impalpable for patients, yet very effective. There are a handful of pEMF systems on the market.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="data:image/png;base64,[encoded data, 517152 characters]