What is Neurofeedback? Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that is targeted training of specific neuronal systems aimed at physiological rehabilitation. This type of biofeedback is typically provided by trained health professionals such as: doctors, psychologists, family therapists, or counselors. Such practitioners observe the brain in action from moment to moment and utilize that data to bring 'feedback' to the person by way of electrodes or sensors, which are placed directly onto the skin or scalp. Neurofeedback is also called EEG Biofeedback, because it is based on electrical brain activity or impulses, the electroencephalogram, or EEG.
Traditional EEG Neurofeedback provides training in augmenting or diminishing specific brain frequencies, such as beta, alpha, theta, etc. This involves operant conditioning and focus and participation on the side of the client. The average number of sessions for best results is 40+. This can also be combined with other types of stimulation technology such as LENS, Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequency (pEMF), Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Pulsed Infra-red Stimulation (Photobiomodulation), and Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE).
The Low-Energy Neurofeedback system or LENS is a specific kind of stimulation technology that operates much more rapidly than traditional Neurofeedback and has qualities that make it much easier to use with people who can’t sit still for long periods of time. It directs the dominant frequency back to the brain, which has an overall calming effect on the central nervous system. With the LENS, the client doesn’t need to “do” anything, and there is nothing to learn.
Emotional Self-regulation is a necessary part of optimal brain performance and function. Self-regulation allows the nervous system to function better and allows the brain to optimize its overall performance and activities. Increased self-awareness and self-regulation are typical positive side-effects of LENS Neurofeedback.
A typical session with the LENS lasts 15-30 minutes, including setup and cleanup time. The remaining time is spent discussing observations either prior to administering LENS or after the brief treatment. This means that the LENS works well for people who either cannot or will not pay attention to a computer screen for longer periods of time or who would have trouble with a cognitive therapy process due to issues with inattention or other issues pertaining to the central nervous system such as irritability, chronic pain or spastic movements. Children may need the support of a parent during sessions. This usually gets easier with exposure for fidgety types.
Additionally, the LENS works much faster than traditional Neurofeedback with the number of sessions ranging from as few as 1 to an overall average number of 20 sessions. How does the LENS work? I apply electrode sensors to the scalp to listen in on brainwave activity. This is non-invasive and the electrodes attach with a gel that washes off. The signal provided is then processed by the sensors through a patented computer application designed specifically for Neurofeedback. The computer application extracts information about certain key brainwave frequencies and through a patented process, brings this information back to the client through the same sensor wires to the person’s skin as a form of "feedback." It could be compared to holding a mirror up to the brain so it can see its own maladaptive patterns. Recognition of these patterns allows the brain to decide, whether it is operating in an efficient manner or not, making its own necessary adjustments. This is due to the neuroplasticity of the brain itself, i.e. the brain's innate ability to adapt, grow and change. Maladaptive behaviors may wane as the brain begins to optimize itself ~ the brain does all the work! What conditions does the LENS help with? Cognition - Problems with sequencing, memory, providing and maintaining attention, concentration, clarity and organization. More specifically:
Mood - Anger, sadness, explosiveness.
Motor - Lack of grace, problems of eye-hand coordination, balance, increased muscle tone (from spasticity) and tremor.
Motivation - Problems initiating tasks, shifting from one activity to another, and/or completing tasks.
Anxiety - Problems of anxiety system activity (too much uncomfortably-contained energy), persistent "anxiety", restlessness, rumination, agitation, distractibility, difficulty breathing, palpitations, tremor exacerbation, and sleep interruption.
Reactivity – Hyper-reactivity, hypersensitivity, multiple chemical sensitivities.
Pain - Brain-generated pain (mis-mapping the origins and qualities of signals), and vascular pain.
Addictions/Dependencies - Lack of clarity about emotions and self-comforting, defensiveness, argumentativeness and cynicism.
Fatigue - Fatigue; or fatigue as a phenomenon secondary to the effort of trying to overcome the pain and/or the above impediment to functioning more easily.
Performance Optimization - Increases in functioning in the above areas in absence of any diagnosis.
Maintaining good brain function as people age.
LENS works extremely well with the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury, no matter how long ago the incident occurred.
Does Neurofeedback Help Reduce Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Jaclyn M. Williams BS, MSW a a College of Social Work , Florida State University Published online: 25 Nov 2010: click below
The Effect of LENS Treatment on Cognitive Functioning and Brainwave Patterns Mary Donaldson, MEd, Stuart Donaldson, PhD, and Doneen Moran, BAMyosymmetries, Calgary, Alberta, Canada: 2014:
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