Biofeedback method

Biofeedback method was developed for NASA’s Space Flight Center.

NASA trained their lunar Astronauts to control their brain,s SMR rhythms. Fifty years later, neurofeedback is still part of the Astronaut training programme. For 60 years the method has been also used by military units and aviation training centers. (source: http://www.brainworksneurotherapy.com/history-and- development  and NASA and brain training)

What is EEG Biofeedback?

Your brain emits bioelectrical activity that the EEG Biofeedback equipment reads through

electrodes attached to your head, then a computer program analyzes the recorded brain

waves.

During the biofeedback training, you modify the activity of your brain just with the

power of your mind, creating new neural connections. You can correct your level of

attention and arousal and optimize your psychophysiological state. This is possible thanks

to the extraordinary plasticity of the human brain - under the influence of environmental

stimuli it can make lasting changes in the synapses and neural networks. As a result, the

whole body functions are improved.

The brain remembers and recreates these reactions which are rewarded, seeks further

rewards by optimizing its work. To change the functioning of the cerebral cortex you only

need to train one or two areas, then other areas change their excitability of neuronal

connections too!

The most basic EEG rhythms that we analyze in the therapy are: delta (the slowest), theta,

alpha and beta (fastest). DELTA waves are produced during deep sleep, THETA when

you are half-asleep or meditate, ALPHA when you are completely relaxed , BETA when

you are focused. The excitation or high stress produces brain waves of even higher

frequencies. During the EEG Biofeedback training, we strive to learn self-regulation

of these waves, so that you can maintain the newly formed habit also after finishing

the therapy.

The effectiveness of therapy EEG Biofeedback

The effectiveness of method depends on individual capabilities and of course, the

patient,s motivation and support from the family. The difficulties do not disappear straight

away and you need to be aware of this.

The first research on the method of EEG biofeedback was conducted at the

University of San Francisco in 1958, later NASA (1972), proved that we are able to

increase the amplitude of the brain waves only with willpower.

- In the study by Monastry (2002) it has been shown that positive changes in ADHD

patients treated with EEG biofeedback persisted even after they stopped using the Ritalin

drug. In the group that used only Ritalin, symptoms relapsed one week after

discontinuation of the drug.

American pediatricians (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012) placed Biofeedback on

the list of the most effective therapeutic methods to help with attention deficits and

hyperactivity.

-Tansey (1993) and Lubar (2003) have shown that patients were able to maintain the

ability to control their hyperactivity up to 10 years after training.

- Rosenfelf, Baehr (2001) demonstrated improvement in depressed patients treated with

Biofeedback therapy. Positive changes persisted for five years.

- Rice et al. (1993) demonstrated improvement in patients with anxiety disorders.

- Peniston and Kulkosky proven to improve the condition of people with PTSD (after 30

sessions neurobiofeedback).

EEG Biofeedback does not eliminate the complex developmental disorder of the nervous

system (eg. ADHD, dyslexia, autism, Asperger), but significantly improves the functioning

of a person suffering from these disorders.

Read more about Biofeedback here:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2939454/