Personalised Brain training for mind and soul
Neurofeedback Uses:
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Neurofeedback training offers a personalised, non-invasive method of addressing most mental health issues.
Neurofeedback is Effective for:
Neurofeedback for Neurodegenerative Conditions
Neurodegeneration leads to changes in how brain areas are able to communicate with each other – functional connectivity. A brain map provides us with early warning signals, and neurofeedback training has been shown to strengthen the physical integrity of our brain, and help with many symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases.
Various neurological disorders have been associated with Long COVID. These include the neurodegenerative disorders Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), MS, prion disease (e.g. Parkinson’s), ALS, and visual system disturbances.
The following tabs describe how Personalised Brain Training can help with neurodegenerative conditions in a holistic, non-invasive and medication-free manner.
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Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
Alzheimer Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Similar to Parkinson’s Disease, secondary symptoms are neuropsychiatric in nature and can be addressed with neurofeedback training, helping the person to maintain their sense of self, mood regulation and sleep, and contain arising anxieties.
There are biomarkers that allow us to differentiate between Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer Disease. A Kaiser Neuromap gives us a non-specific indication of each, that can assist early onset diagnosis and thus shape the treatment plan at an early stage.
As with other neurodegenerative disorders, physical changes in the brain affect our sensory interpretation of our surroundings, giving rise to neuropsychiatric disorders. We can become relational in our thinking, and specifically with regard to brain areas that are responsible for our interpretation of personal space and social boundaries.
Neurofeedback Personalised Brain Training aims precisely at encouraging cortical participation and help us share a reality with others, counteracting progression of major secondary, and possibly primary symptoms. Rather than promoting a ‘cure’, we are helping affected persons improve their quality of life in many ways.
The link between Alzheimer’s Disease and Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) has long been established, as summarised in this research paper from 2014. Four out of five people carry the herpes virus, with one in four being prone to physical symptoms upon periodic reactivation, e.g. blisters / cold sores occurring during times of stress and/or immunosuppression. Reactivated HSV1 has been found to cause inflammatory damage directly, probably involving increased formation of beta amyloid and AD-like P-tau changes found in HSV1-infected cell cultures. HSV1 DNA was found to be specifically localised in amyloid plaques in AD. Further links have been discovered between shared pathways of HSV1 and AD. HSV1 (herpes virus) can cross the blood-brain barrier and remain latent in the brain; combined with carriage of a type 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE-e4), this confers a high risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. Some 25-30% of the population carry this gene.
COVID-19 is of particular concern with respect to Alzheimer’s Disease. A pre-existing AD diagnosis is the single highest risk indicator of Covid infection identified thus far; the highest mortality is observed among the most elderly AD patients.
This susceptibility is partly explained by the up-regulation of ACE2R receptors in the limbic regions of AD-affected brains. It is even hypothesised that amyloid-beta is involved in fighting cerebral Covid infection, similar to an observed process with regard to alpha-synuclein in PD and Covid, a defence mechanism that might result in higher levels in the long run.
Reactivation of HSV-1 can aggravate Alzheimer’s Disease processes, such as amyloid beta and p-tau production. It has been shown that Covid can reactivate HSV-1, in particular the S1 spike protein.
Alzheimer’s Disease is viewed as a prion disease, a feature that again puts it into context with Covid-19, a coronavirus whose S1 spike protein has prion-like qualities.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the number one cause for dementia, with no known effective treatments. Finding the ‘root cause’ of this condition in order to produce a targeted cure is further complicated by the fact that the definition of what constitutes AD is somewhat circular. We define the phenomenon by its symptoms:
– Amyloid beta (Ab) plaques: Ab(40-42) oligomers are prominent in AD brains, both in soluble form, where they are more toxic, and in dense plaques, which are thought to serve as reservoirs. These oligomers can cause synaptic dysfunction, dendritic spine damage and neuronal death. Their inflammatory effect includes activation of microglia, astrogliosis, overproduction of cytokines, and dystrophy of neurites. This leads to brain atropy, often first observed in the temporal lobes. The epsilon4 allele of ApoE (e4APOE) is a genetic risk factor thought to affect Ab metabolism; 25-30% of the population have this gene. Ab oligomers can also induce the formation of Neurofibrillary Tangles (NFTs):
– P-Tau: Neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) is another defining feature of AD. These formations occur after Ab accumulations, though they are seen in frontotemporal dementia without Ab plaques and may also be a parallel, symbiotic phenomenon accelerating disease progression. The Ab / p-tau theory however only accounts for a fraction of the structural dementia comorbidities, and treatment strategies targeting these two aspects have thus far been unsuccessful. This necessitates additional theories:
– Neuroinflammation: While unclear whether this is a consequence or cause of the condition, neuroinflammation is deemed to a major contributor towards the progression and severity of AD, possibly more so than Ab accumulation and NFTs. All three of the above aspects are addressed by another causative, or at least contributory theory:
– Viral Infection: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) reactivation is highly correlated with AD; causes damage to the same brain areas that are affected in AD (herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), induced by HSV, damages the hippocampus, temporal and frontal lobes); is found (by DNA analysis) in substantially all amyloid plaques; is known to alter Ab metabolism, CA2+ homeostasis, synaptic dysfunction and apoptosis in HSV infected neuronal and glial cells. Note that this pertains to carriers of the e4APOE allele, while HSV in the brain of non-e4APOE carriers confers a much lesser risk. At least 80% of the population carries HSV, with only one fifth exhibiting symptoms (e.g. cold sores in times of stress or immunodeficiency); 25-30% of the population carry the e4APOE allele.
The last point is particularly relevant: There are multiple approaches to arresting HSV reactivation (e.g. anti-virals, such as acyclovir, and also components of seaweed(!)), which appears to be the most promising approach addressing suspected cause. It also provides a link with Covid, and an explanation for the high susceptibility of AD patients to this:
Covid, especially the S1 spike protein, has been shown to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and enter the brain through a number of pathways, including olfactory and vagus nerve. It has been found to reactivate latent cerebral HSV-1. Amyloid beta (Ab) (1-42) has been found to strengthen the binding of the S1 spike protein of Covid (SARS-CoV-2) to ACE2 receptors and increase viral entry. Covid also increases neuroinflammation. Further, the CA2+ dysregulation in AD facilitates passage of the Covid virus. ACE2 receptors are more prevalent in limbic regions of the brain, including brainstem and hippocampus, and importantly, they are up-regulated in AD brains, thus conferring higher susceptibility. Another possibility is that beta amyloid formation increases in response to HSV (and potentially Covid), as a defence mechanism, resulting in higher aggregation. An analogy is an observation made with influenza viruses, in particular the West Nile Virus, where alpha synuclein production increased to combat the virus (an absence thereof resulted in disastrous disease progression), leading to aggregation and thus higher Parkinson’s Disease susceptibility.
Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, after Alzheimer disease (AD).
Onset is usually characterised by motor symptoms: bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, resting tremor and instability of posture.
REM sleep disorder in Parkinson’s sufferers has been shown to predict worse disease progression. In turn, REM sleep is a function of Default Mode Network deactivation.
With regard to PD, Neurofeedback training has been shown to improve:
– speed of movement initiation
Secondary, non-motor symptoms evolve, such as cognitive impairment, depression, sleep issues (e.g. REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), a potential prodromal marker of PD, where paradoxically motor function is improved relative to wake state), and olfactory dysfunction.
Neurofeedback is effective at reducing symptom severity and addressing most of these neuropsychiatric disturbances in healthy patients; while not shown to be a ‘cure’, quality of life improvement can be substantial.
On a cortical level, PD involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons, accumulation of Lewy bodies, damage to neuroglial cells and demyelination of neuronal axons.
Neurofeedback training has been shown to improve myelination across white matter tracts. We can also train frequencies that pertain to glial cells, potentially improving their self-regulation.
A recent study raised the spectre of a connection between COVID-19 infection and Parkinson’s; three persons without familial history developed clinical parkinsonism within 2-5 weeks following infection requiring hospitalisation.
Neurofeedback improves quality of life, sensory integration, motor skills, movement initiation and balance in Parkinson’s Disease.
Peer-reviewed research shows the following effects in neurofeedback applications to Parkinson’s Disease:
– improvement in static and dynamic balance
– improved motor symptoms, on a par with other therapies such as rTMS – while being non-invasive and drug-free
– improvement in life quality
– potential to train up speed of movement initiation by 37%
– increased sensory integration in 10-12 sessions
– reduced symptom severity
General (non-PD specific) effects of neurofeedback training include:
– overall increased fine motor skills
– boost behavioural performance and learning
Comorbid mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, aggression, and mood imbalances can be addressed directly with neurofeedback.
Chronic Pain is another application for neurofeedback, where studies have demonstrated its efficacy.
Subjectively, PD sufferers find neurofeedback training calming, reassuring and report an improved sense of feeling being part of their body.
MS and Huntington's Disease
It has recently been shown that neurofeedback training led to cognitive improvements in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, and that this corresponded to improved functional connectivity in key motor and salience networks. Increased fractional anisotropy (FA) was observed, which correlated with cognitive improvement.
MS is a neurodegenerative condition that adversely affects axonal myelination. FA is among other a measure of myelination, so the result that neurofeedback can make positive changes in this condition is very encouraging.
Lesions in MS present first in the corpus callosum, a fibre bundle linking left and right brain hemispheres. With a Kaiser Neuromap, we can detect changes in functional connectivity here, which can serve as an early indicator to prompt further investigation at an early stage, while being a complementary approach that is not a substitute for full examination. Neurologists have appreciated this input.
A study with sufferers of Huntington’s Disease, another neurodegenerative condition, showed that cognitive and motor skills improved and that these changes related to improved functional connectivity in key brain regions, again a conclusion that neuroplasticity can be induced despite the presence of neurodegeneration.
White Matter Dementia
The ability of white matter disruption to contribute towards cognitive decline to the extent that dementia results is known since the 1980s when the term “White Matter Dementia” was coined. Various pathologies, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, ALD and MS (Multiple Sclerosis) are significantly characterised by white matter disruption. In fact, the involvement of white matter disruption in these neurodegenerative pathologies has been asserted with a certainty that contrasts with the evolution of attempts to define the various ‘diseases’ at times.
Neurofeedback can positively affect white matter growth. In healthy patients, this growth was faster than the rate of neurodegeneration in neurodegenerative conditions. Research has yet to confirm that this works for these conditions specifically.
This approach is non-specific and holistic – we are treating the brain as a whole, and not with regard to a particular condition. Indeed, defining a neurodegenerative pathology is in itself a challenge – Parkinson’s diagnostic criteria have evolved substantially in recent decades and are still subject to debate and expansion, as is the definition of a disease itself. In vivo, that is, before a post mortem examination, Parkinson’s is largely ascertained on the basis of symptoms. It would seem logical to aim therapy at these symptoms, rather than, say, chase a ‘cure’ for an ill-defined phenomenon (is it strictly, and only, dopaminergic neuron death?). This differentiation in approach is important as funding criteria for research into ways to ameliorate the condition often utilise this to the detriment of alternatives. As a result, neurofeedback is sadly neglected in the quest for helping people with neurodegenerative conditions.
Neurofeedback has been shown to help with primary and secondary symptoms in Parkinson’s; it is a non-specific, complementary therapy that is non-invasive and medication-free.
White matter decline is measurable with DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) even before the onset of cognitive decline. The mechanisms by which damage occurs varies by pathology. However any intervention that improves these connections should have a positive effect on the person, both structurally and cognitively. Counteracting this trend in a non-invasive, medication-free and enjoyable manner seems a worthy cause.
The search for a ‘cure’ of different neurodegenerative conditions which lead to dementia is strongly focused on the defining feature – e.g. amyloid beta production in Alzheimer’s, and dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s. Addressing symptoms is often seen as a secondary endeavour, with regard to time, prestige, funding and resources. Daniel Webster has spent time working in palliative care and high-support living and rehabilitation facilities. He found that ameliorating life quality can lead to at least a perceived slowdown in the progression of a condition. There is also a possibility that symptom reduction can actually impede a worsening of the condition, and certainly worthy of further research.
Subjective feedback by dementia clients is very encouraging. Research into this aspect of dementia, and how neurofeedback can be applied to slow, arrest and potentially reverse disease progression, is a worthwhile endeavour. Please contact Daniel directly to support initiatives in this regard.
White matter tracts are information superhighways connecting various brain regions and make up c.50% of our brain volume. White matter abnormalities in various forms of dementia, including DLB, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and mTBI (mild traumatic brain injury) are well documented, and these contribute towards cognitive decline.
With neurofeedback, we can train white matter tracts. This seminal study indicates that we can improve myelination with neurofeedback training. It has been further corroborated since, notably with regard to efficiency.
Stroke
The following account of the recovery of a Stroke patient illustrates the potential efficacy of neurofeedback for Stroke / TBI. For Research on neurofeedback and Stroke / TBI see here.
Claire (name changed) is a 48-year old female who is three years post-thalamic CVA (ruptured aneurysm). In particular, her physical symptoms included severe muscle contractures in her wrist and elbows leading to impaired movement, as well as being wheel-chair bound.
After two neurofeedback sessions, she got her wrist and elbow released.
Claire was getting active elbow extension and shoulder flexion after five sessions. Pain was also resolved in her hand, which had been a major issue previously.
Functionally, she achieved improved independence in dressing skills, required only minimal assistance with bathing, and was able to walk with a cane.
After thirty neurofeedback sessions, Claire started walking without her cane.
Significant improvements (over 50%) included:
– Working memory, chronic aching pain, attention deficit
– night sweats, vertigo and hot flashes
– body awareness, balance, fine motor coordination, muscle spasticity, reflux and chronic nerve pain
– paranoia
Note that this is a subjective account from a therapist and a causal relationship between training and improvements is not proven.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is another application of neurofeedback training.
We have found neurofeedback to be highly effective in assisting physical rehabilitation. With a Kaiser Neuromap, we can detect areas of hypometabolism that respond hemodynamically with neurofeedback training. There are neuromarkers for mTBI, as well as Alzheimer’s Disease, though these are non-specific (necessary, not sufficient conditions) and should not be seen as diagnosis. General (rather than focal) lesions in neurodegenerative conditions appear to form first in the corpus callosum, a fibre bundle linking the two brain hemispheres; altered functional connectivity has been visible there on a brain map too, in our experience, at an early stage.
There is evidence that neurofeedback supports myelination, improving the important sheathing of axons, which is a critical part of the physical recovery process.
Pain perception has neural correlates – there are brain areas that govern our attentiveness to the signs our bodies are giving us.
In the first instance, these signs are real messages that something is wrong and needs dealing with. Medical attention should provide solutions to this.
Sometimes, pain perception can become irrational in this context, and with neurofeedback training we can help the brain establish a more reasonable approach to interpreting such stimulus.
Research on Neurofeedback for Rehabilitation
– Alpha-Theta neurofeedback training has a “beneficial effect on symptom reduction as well as perceived stress. It also has a beneficial effect on levels of serum cortisol” involving a significant reduction during acute recovery
– neurofeedback training was shown to be effective with Postconcussion Syndrome (PCS)
– efficaceous treatment for chronic posttraumatic headache sustained in military service
– neurofeedback therapy showed significant changes in structural and functional connectivity in young TBI patients, with cognitive scores and concussion symptoms improving significantly
– neurofeedback is shown to be an effective intervention for auditory memory
– deemed “probably an excellent complementary technique” that produced clear benefits in divided and sustained attention, visuospatial skills and the processing speed of motor-dependent tasks in persons with severe TBI
– beneficial outcomes in upper limb stroke rehabilitation
– neurofeedback training can lead to a learned modulation of brain signals with associated changes at both neural and behavioural level
– modulation of premotor cortex and associated motor control areas can be achieved with neurofeedback training
– improvements in TBI / PTSD in Vietnam Veterans across domains of cognition, pain, sleep, fatigue, mood/emotion, PTSD symptoms and overall activity levels
– patients report improvement in a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms in TBI following neurofeedback training
– result of 40 neurofeedback sessions included significant improvements in several motor tasks
Children, Teenagers and Young Adults: We can assess and assist cortical maturation; improve academic performance, social integration and behaviour; eliminate fear and anxiety to further self-confidence, and relaunch positive developmental trajectories. This includes autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD, mood regulation, learning issues and self-harm.
Adults: Stress, anxiety, trauma, mood regulation, motivation, focus and sleep; Long Covid; Menopause
Psychosis: Neurofeedback provides a safe, medication-free approach to restoring calm and confidence, and alleviating symptoms in Bipolar Disorder, OCD and Schizophrenia
Autism: an evidence-based approach to improving cognitive flexibility, sensory integration, behaviour and social interaction, Daniel has achieved transformative results
Rehabilitation: symptoms demonstrably improve in stroke / TBI / concussion, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Brain maps can identify functional connectivity issues that are otherwise difficult to observe or measure. Neurofeedback has been shown to strengthen white matter.
Daniel Webster works closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals, both in private practice and in the NHS. Observing and tracking client progress is best done in collaboration with others, and helps shape optimal outcomes.
A brain map provides a complementary perspective on a person’s vulnerabilities, strengths and development, including character insights that might be masked by the individual. Neurofeedback training improves the person’s grounding, sense of self, interoception and communication, making it an ideal complement for psychotherapy and other treatments.
Effects of medication can be tracked with remaps, and we have effectively managed clients off medication in close collaboration with the prescribing entity where this was no longer productive. The medical intervention can thus be applied with a view to eventual cessation and transition. In many clients we have found that stimulant or depressant medication has undesirable effects, such as various forms of anxiety and fatigue, and neurofeedback has helped them reduce and eliminate this.
We can track and benchmark physical development properties of the brain, which is particularly useful in children. There are (non-specifid) neuromarkers for various degenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s, concussion / mTBI. We can disaggregate more general pathologies such as anxiety, trauma and depression into more granular components with neural correlates. This improves our understanding of the client, the treatment plan, outcome and our own sense of achievement that is important in sustaining a mental health career.
For more information, see here.
Neurofeedback training is a fast-growing complementary therapy approach. Daniel Webster provides consultations to clinicians looking to enter the field and those seeking further insights into the most advanced neurofeedback technologies.
One-on-one or group sessions can be tailored to proficiency and interest specificity, including the following topics:
– The Human Brain: Overview of cortical functions by Brodmann Area and how we can train these
– Neurofeedback Training Overview – Applications, Process and Case Studies
– Specific Neurofeedback Training Modalities –
+ ILF / The Othmer Method
+ qEEG-brain Map based Default Network Training
Daniel Webster has trained extensively with Sue and Dr. Siegfried Othmer, and Dr. David Kaiser in Los Angeles. He practices neurofeedback training with both ILF and Default Network Training modalities, specialising in autism and schizophrenia, as well as their comorbidities.
Consultations can be scheduled with Daniel – phone +44 (0)7966699430 or email daniel@neurofeedback.io
Our Brain has over 50 cortical areas that contribute to our sensory interpretation of the world around us. Their interaction governs how we relate with others and determine our behaviour. When any of these becomes dysrhythmic, we lose our ability to synchronise effortlessly and to live in the moment. This can manifest in the form of various anxieties, mood control and other instabilities. Nearly one in ten children have been diagnosed with a developmental disability, and the prevalence of sub-diagnostic disorder levels is high and multi-faceted.
With a qEEG brain map, we can assess individual vulnerabilities and then train the relevant brain areas to restore flexibility and as a result, our mental health.
Daniel Webster uses a specialised form of neurofeedback to provide Personalised Brain Training. Daniel has extensive experience working in high-support environments with children and adults with mood, focus and behavioural problemson the autistic spectrum, with as well as with severe mental health issues, e.g. psychosis and schizophrenia.
Daniel progressed from providing Othmer Method / ILF, which he learned under direct supervision by Sue Othmer, to David Kaiser’s Default Network Training, which is qEEG-based and the most effective neurofeedback method available. He is currently the only provider of Personalised Brain Training outside the US, contributes actively to its further development and teaches clinicians and mental health professionals.
Psychodynamic Theory is an approach to relating behaviour to subconscious and conscious processes of the individual with respect to themselves and others in society. It was coined by Sigmund Freud and comprises all theories based on Freud and his followers, most notably Carl Jung, Melanie Klein, Alfred Adler, Anna Freud and Erik Erikson.
In the first instance, Psychodamic Theory relates human behaviour to three driving forces:
1. The “Id”, which is essentially the reptile inside us, driving our basic survival and propagation. These urges are self-centred, rather than pro-social; they are immediate, not involving planning for the future. Sexuality and aggression are core components, while rules and inhibition are not.
2. The “Ego”, which is our personal ability to channel the drives and urges of our Id into pro-social behaviour that involves forming friendships and alliances, planning for the future, and distinguishing ourselves from reptiles. It also includes qualities such as monitoring the consequences of actions; reasoning, rationalisation and problem-solving.
3. The “Super-Ego”, which is a reflection of the rules necessary to exist as an individual within a society, and provides a layer of inhibition to both Id-like primal urges and Ego-driven self-realisation. This includes guilt, sexual rules, social rules, and ‘village’ rules. These are formulated by our ancestry, and we are part of their evolution.
The validity of this model is somewhat confirmed by its neurological correlates: Phytogenetically, we have evolved to share the anatomy of a reptile up until our brainstem / thalamus; it is here that primal urges initiate, and this correlates with the concept of the Id. Furthermore, we have an evolved neocortex that takes these urges and translates them into pro-social behaviour, which differentiates us from reptiles. These live in the Now, and for themselves; we however form friendships and alliances, and are able to plan for the future. Having hands enable us to make things together that can’t be achieved by individuals alone. This differentiates us from dolphins, the likely other contender for most socially intelligent species. Our cortex is divided into over 50 distinct functional areas, as defined by Korbinian Brodmann in 1909, and there are currently around 200 yearly research reports published on studies determining their various responsibilities, contributions to behaviour, and neuromarkers for various psychopathologies. Some brain areas relate to autobiographic memory, spatial awareness, or motivation; combinations with others are the neural correlates of self, and even theory of mind, or modelling another’s behaviour and evaluating probabilities of actions thus giving rise to consciousness. Many are involved in preconscious processes, such as visual areas that combine with other primary sensory processing areas to form an understanding of the scene in front of us and how we relate to it. We can likely assign many components of the Ego/SuperEgo to various brain parts and functional networks, including the cerebellum (our ancestors).
Another component of Psychodynamic Theory is the treatment of disorders presenting as a result of conflict, or immaturity of the three pillars Id, Ego and Super-Ego. Ideally, this would be done by directly training the dysrhythmic brain areas responsible for the symptoms perceived. This can nowadays be achieved with neurofeedback, both EEG and fMRI driven; and transcranial direct stimulation. Medication provides a more crude approach to influencing brain activity while lacking specificity, causing unwanted side effects and potentially leading to dependence. The principle of psychotherapy proposed by Freud and his followers centres on the need to resolve perceived psychological issues by finding a cause, specifically a repressed memory, and begin ‘addressing’ this with talk therapy so as to thereby resolve underlying problems. One example is Jung’s process of psychotherapy involving the four stages of confession, elucidation, education and transformation, similar to Adler’s engagement, assessment, insight and reorientation who additionally emphasised themes of family and belonging; Melanie Klein posited that the unconscious splits the world into good and bad idealisations based on pre-verbal anxieties experienced during infancy; Anna Freud focussed on children and adapted the process of psychoanalysis to emphasise congruence and empathy over hierarchy and formality, empowering the person; Sigmund Freud himself saw sexuality, fantasy and specifically the Oedipus complex as critical shapers of character and behaviour; and Erik Erikson identified what we now know to be functions of maturity of distinct brain areas as maturation stages.
The result is a non-standardised approach that can vary greatly in terms of its formality, invasiveness, congruence, empathy, objectivity and degree of person-centredness. Hierarchy can differ between cultures and generations in this context, and the above therapists contributed greatly towards the spread of applications across demographics. Freud’s practice of charging large fees to his (predominantly wealthy) clients relied on the concept of cognitive dissonance to describe the significant therapeutic effect component of valuing the service of a psychotherapist. This also promoted the acceptance and growth of the profession throughout the 20th century.
Analysing repressed memories presents with controversy. First of all, the accuracy of a recollection is strongly influencable and thus often unreliable. Secondly, the goal of ‘resolution’ can be elusive, are we trying to effect forgiveness, acceptance, understanding or relive the event with a positive resolution? Thirdly, being forced to relive negative experiences risks retraumatising the person. Fourthly, a false impression of reduced culpability can be instilled in the person, who is now able to blame his behaviour on experiences in his past, committed by other people, and the extent to which this is exonerating in a legal or personal way can vary.
The following illustrates how this method reached its temporary apex in the late 1990s, and the its current resurgence is pondered below. The case Burgus vs. Braun (1997) is about Patricia Burgus, who at 28 suffered postnatal depression, and was likely bipolar to some extent. She presented with multiple personality disorder symptoms, though these were related primarily to her moods and character, rather than being distinct personas. The psychiatrist, Dr. Braun, specialised on this field and believed that it was the result of repeated childhood trauma and/or sexual abuse. Over a six year period, involving also other psychotherapists and use of hypnosis and high levels of medication, she was found to have over 300 personalities, including one where as a member of a cult she was planning to kill her small sons, leading to a loss of custody, institutionalisation both of her and separately, her children, two suicide attempts and cut ties with her family. She was able to fully regain her mental health as an unmedicated outpatient, reunited with her sons, and with a $11m settlement won against Dr. Braun and his insurance company. His treatment theory is also noteworthy, as he articulates in his deposition, “that once the various personalities have emerged and are no longer withholding information, they can be integrated back into one”.
While there are clearly many convictions rightly achieved on the basis of recollection, the trend in psychology to unearth repressed memories did give rise to some false convictions and collapsed trials. The False Memory Syndrome Foundation describes various cases, including witch-hunt style satanic cults that implicated many innocent people and were found never to have existed.
Some see a resurgence in this psychotherapy technique in the form of popular literature: Bessel van der Kolk’s “The Body Keeps the Score” essentially attributes psychopathologies to unresolved trauma, and these memories are expressed in our physiology. Of course, our brain governs our body’s behaviour, so that is where the core memory is held; dysregulation of particular brain areas then has physical manifestations, such as CNS activation, sensory sensitivity, monitoring consequences of actions, and generally not living in the moment. Dr. van der Kolk was a frequent expert witness during trials depending on the recovery of repressed memories during the 1990s, and prosecutor Chris Barden explains how after this cross-examination, during which Dr. van der Kolk referred to work done by a research assistant who had just been exposed for fabricating evidence in a study. He also states that Dr. van der Kolk was a mentee of the notorious Bruno Bettelheim. It is worth noting that Dr. van der Kolk was fired from his own trauma centre amidst allegations of bullying and denigrating employees, while another director was terminated for “violating the code of conduct in his treatment of women, and more braodly for abusing his power as a talented and respected figure in our field”. He wrote a public letter of apology, which has been widely shared and analysed, with some finding that it in fact contains little empathy, ownership, compassionate insight and authenticity, yet consistency.
Since the 1990s, belief in repressed memories has increased to now 58% among clinical, legal and academic professionals. Therapy methods are non-standardised, which leaves room for innovation and evolution, while accommodating the breadth of needs in a counselling relationship with regard to hierarchy and personalisation. Another approach to the core tenets of Id, Ego and Super-Ego would be forward looking, where we train the brain to respond more flexibly and appropriately. That is, to train neural correlates non-invasively.
Neurofeedback for Various Symptoms
A brain map lets us look into our brain – how the different parts communicate with eath other. With neurofeedback, we can train optimal integration.
The following tabs describe how Personalised Brain Training can help resolve many mental health issues in a holistic, non-invasive and medication-free manner.
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ADHD, Focus & Planning
ADHD as defined in the DSM-V can comprise a variety of different behaviour components, expressed in different magnitudes. Motivational, focus and planning, energetic, social behavioural, motor, learning and language and speech issues (e.g. dyslexia / dyscalculia) are included, and often comorbid with mood control, sleep, anger, rage, impulse control and aggression. Some are more prononounced than others, achieving sub-clinical manifestations for other diagnoses, and the picture soon becomes more complex.
With a brain map, we can assess vulnerability to a host of other possible issues, and then address these with neurofeedback training in a personalised manner. Furthermore, we have a chance at promoting structural improvements, such as prefrontal brain maturity. The core issue of ADHD, Distractibility, is dealt with here:
Focus and Productivity have three core components:
– Concentration
– Planning and Organisation
– Motivation
Each of these three components is governed by a different brain area. When one or more of these regions is dysrhythmic, we are vulnerable to focus issues.
– Planning and Organisation: understanding goals, working back to the present and structuring a workflow conducive to achievement, seeing the bigger picture and dividing projects into tasks, prioritising these and being flexible.
The ability to form an overview of the task at hand, break this down into smaller, manageable steps, and sequence these accordingly, can be trained.
– Concentration: the ability not to be distracted and maintain attention on the relevant task at hand. Distractibility is a function of spatial awareness, and there are brain areas dedicated to this task. When they are dysrythmic, we become easily distracted.
– Motivation: having sufficient drive, optimism, persistence and endurance to implement plans and overcome setbacks. Self-esteem, an understanding of one’s own strengths and weaknesses, and the ability to self-soothe, that is, to rationalise thoughts, are key to this.
Researchers conclude that neurofeedback training can be considered “Efficaceous and Specific” (Level 5) for ADD / ADHD. Neurofeedback training was shown to produce significant improvement in attentiveness and impulse control. It was shown to produce outcomes equivalent to those obtained with stimulant drugs. The effects were shown to be long lasting.
Neurofeedback and ADHD Medication
We have successfully helped children and teenagers reduce or discontinue stimulant medication treatment of ADHD where this has become undesirable, under supervision of the prescribing entity.
Individuals may offer motivations to change stimulant medication use to alternate forms of therapy, including ambiguity concerning long-term use and reduction of symptom-severity effectiveness at the cost of growth (height). Many are considered “prohibited substance” in competitive sports, being listed as Schedule II / Class B substances when obtained without prescription. Possible sleep problems are documented.
There appears to be a range of conclusions in studies regarding the effect of psychostimulants used to treat ADHD on mood, anxiety, emotional reactivity, substance abuse, psychiatric conditions, cardiovascular implications, tics and other dyskenisias, among other, and these vary considerably in sample size, duration and scope.
A study with over 130 participants showed that neurofeedback can be used effectively in combination with pharmacological treatment, enhancing results.
See here for more information.
Research on Neurofeedback and ADHD
Neurofeedback training for ADHD is evidence based and produces lasting results:
Attention deficit: Efficacy is well-documented – there are over 370 research reports on Neurofeedback and ADHD on PubMed.
In line with AAPB and ISNR guidelines for rating clinical efficacy, neurofeedback can be considered “Efficacious and Specific”, the highest level (5), with a large effect size for inattention and impulsivity in this study.
A large-scale study showed that neurofeedback is effective in remediating attentional dysfunction. Significant clinical improvement in one or more of attentiveness, impulse control, and response variability was observed in 85% of participants after 20-40 training sessions.
Impulse control and attention improved through neurofeedback training, producing “patient outcomes equivalent to those obtained with stimulant drugs”
Neurofeedback “appears to have more durable treatment effects, for at least 6 months following treatment.”
Neurofeedback was shown to be an effective method to enhance cognitive deficits, reduce ADHD symptoms and behaviour problems in children. The effect was maintained in a follow-up six months later.
There are numerous academic studies confirming the efficacy of EEG biofeedback (another name for neurofeedback) with sustained performance gains.
The American Academy of Pediatrics bases its conclusion that there are “no significant contraindications” to its use on these studies.
ILF / Othmer Method neurofeedback training was shown to reduce ADHD symptoms, specifically distractibility and impulsiveness, in a study involving 251 children over a course of 30 neurofeedback sessions.
Training specific brain areassuccessfully activated error monitoring networks in ADHD patients, associated with symptom improvements. Dynamic functional connectivity was found to be maintained in a follow-up 11 months later.
Another study attested improved response control and attention in ADHD post Neurofeedback.
Mood regulation and Motivation: see here
Working Memory: see here
Sense of Self: With Personalised Brain Training, we work on the Default Mode Network, the neural basis of self.
Challenging Behaviour, Anger, Aggression, Rage
Lack of mood regulation, self awareness, and inhibitory control contribute to anger management and behavioural issues. These complicated behaviour patterns have a neural basis and vary by individual. With a Kaiser Neuromap we can detect vulnerabilities and train these with neurofeedback.
Excessive obstinacy, misunderstanding social cues and general overwhelm and anxiety are frequent characteristics of autistic children. With neurofeedback training, we have had success in remediating these symptoms.
Multiple brain areas contribute to impulsive aggression, self-fuelling rage, physiological arousal, ‘acting out’ and conversely calming down and rationally understanding one’s behaviour and even showing regret, remorse, understanding and insight, or not as the case may be.
A Kaiser Neuromap shows us possible vulnerabilities to such behaviour patterns, and can help us form a more nuanced understanding of a person’s preconscious drivers, that is, their ‘wiring’. There are multiple contributors which we can address:
– impulsive aggression, e.g. in response to being denied something
– rage, a continued unconsolable stage
– lack of empathy or understanding of others’ feelings
– inability to see different perspectives
– turn taking, self/other differentiation, shared authority
– monitoring and understanding consequences of actions
With neurofeedback training we can work on these preconscious processes, which occur before a person is able to apply conscious control or inhibition. The aim is to reduce or eliminate the person’s propensity to exhibit such adverse and undesirable behaviour in the first place, freeing up the mind to enjoy the moment in constructive synchrony with others.
Neurofeedback helps us stabilise the Default Mode Network, and reduce impulsive aggression and physiological arousal control. We have seen success within a few sessions in clients from 8-15 years of age.
Anxiety and Fear
There are many manifestations of anxiety, including social anxiety, panic attacks, excess body awareness (body dysmorphia), emotional hypersensitivity, fears and phobias. Autistic children generally present with a variety of these, all contributing towards an energy-consuming heightened state of vigilance. Stress and defensive behaviour results.
Neurofeedback is an established, evidence-based treatment for anxiety.
It was found that neurofeedback training for anxiety and depression “results in enduring improvements approximately 80% of the time”
Confidence and social integration tend to improve accordingly, resulting in a positive feedback loop that helps shape new trajectories.
A brain map will reveal overactivity of brain areas responsible for monitoring consequences of actions (timidity, general fright and reticence); watching out for an abuser (bully); body and face awareness; and excessive self-monitoring. This helps us understand the potential presence of real threats and fear factors. We can also detect possible tendencies to develop unhealthy body awareness. Neurofeedback training lets us address this issues.
There are multiple types of anxiety, each correlating with one or more brain areas being dysrhythmic:
Sensory overload: our brain interprets all sensory stimulus as directed to ourselves. We lose the ability to discern what is directed at us, and which matters or interactions are of no concern to us. This sets us up for panic attacks and ultimately psychosis. It also means we become singular in our perspective, unable to take on other points of view
Loss of narrative: Our episodic understanding of the situation, how we got there and what happens next, is impaired, and we are unsure of where we are and where we’re going. This hyperactivates our amygdala, and the sensation is highly emotional
Auditory sensitivity: we become prone to overly interpreting the emotional content of words and sounds, creating an air of prickliness and pushing people away without knowing it
Social anxiety: misunderstanding social complexities, social emotions and dynamics in a situation with others
Hypervigilance: as a result of avoiding a bully or abuser
Activation: Our ARAS is responsible for setting the right level of physiological arousal, or wakefulness, for the situation, and to remain stable there. When this is on overdrive, we are pushed further into fight-or-flight mode than necessary, thus heightening sensory sensitivity. Panic attacks are an extreme manifestation. Our ability to calm down quickly is reduced.
Trauma: an inability to self-nurture – creating an emotional safe-space around us – and self-soothe – being able to talk ourselves down rationally from a situation, thus resulting in mood instability. This can also manifest in dissociation and heightened pain perception. We ruminate about the past and worry about the future, instead of being able to enjoy the present.
Intrusive thoughts: Self-criticism overshadows motivation and confidence, and we become self-aware and distracted by negative thoughts and feelings. Some use acquired habits to distract from this. Others become attached to the reward circuitry triggered, and sustained by feeding obstructive, self-deprecating thought content. Our confidence, motivation and social interaction suffer as a result.
Evidence: Neurofeedback for Anxiety
The effectiveness of neurofeedback training for anxiety was first recorded four decades ago in 1978. Since then, there have been over 120 peer-reviewed research papers published on neurofeedback and anxiety. Academic interest in this application of neurofeedback has picked up notably during the last three years.
Dr. Corydon Hammond finds in his 2005 paper, “Neurofeedback Treatment of Depression and Anxiety” that neurofeedback training results in “enduring improvements approximately 80% of the time”, with most perceiving a difference after between three and six sessions; a “very significant improvement” after 10-12 sessions, and more so after over 20 sessions.
Improving emotional regulation with neurofeedback represents a “novel intervention to control anxiety”. Just a single session resulted in a statistically significant improvement in anxiety.
Contamination anxiety was improved in a lasting way in this study .
Twenty sessions of neurofeedback training led to a significant improvement in sleep, anxiety and depression evaluations. The same disorders plus inattention showed significant improvements when conducting ten or more sessions in a naturalistic setting. Anxiety was reduced in Canadian Aboriginals during seven days of two hour training. Fifteen sessions reduced GAD symptoms.
Neurofeedback improved depressive symptoms in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) patients, with significant decrease in anxiety and clinical illness severity noted as a result of the training. Cognitive depression was reduced here. Anhedonia and comorbid anxiety in MDD where also improved in this recent study. Increased happiness ratings and decrease in anxiety was documented with related increased activity in specific brain areas.
Post-operative depression and anxiety, pain, difficulties sleeping and attention and memory problems were resolved in 20 neurofeedback sessions. The 45-year old female was able to return to work subsequently. Postcancer cognitive impairment (PCCI) sufferers (a substantial subset of breast cancer survivors) found strongly significant reduction in anxiety, as well as somatisation and depression, after twenty neurofeedback sessions. Anxiety, as well as depression and tinnitus were greatly reduced during stroke rehabilitation, plus improvement in speech fluency, word finding, balance and coordination, attention and concentration.
Ten neurofeedback sessions improved symptoms of pain and fatigue, anxiety and depression in fybromyalgia patients. Neurofeedback was also found to reach maximum effect within four weeks.
Multiple Sclerosis sufferers saw depression, fatigue and anxiety reduced, and the results were maintained at a 2-month follow-up.
Alpha Theta neurofeedback training reduced anxiety in competitive ballroom dancers, as well as increasing cognitive creativity.
Neurofeedback provided benefit to high functioning ASD with regard to anxiety.
Alcohol Dependence Syndrome patients found a significant reduction in cognitive deficits, anxiety and depression; noticeable improvement in memory and neurological functioning, and significant reduction in alcohol intake on follow-up. Impulsivity, anxiety and depression were improved in long-term abstinent delinquents. Sharp reductions in self-assessed depression were found in alcoholic outpatients, as well as reduction in anxiety, after twenty Alpha-Theta sessions.
The physical basis of how neurofeedback training can be applied to reduce maladaptive rumination and anxiety was confirmed here.
Neurofeedback for Autism
Autism is a spectrum disorder characterised by social integration issues and developmental delays that can be both physical and emotional. With a Kaiser Neuromap we can identify individual weaknesses, and train these with Personalised Brain Training in a non-invasive, medication-free manner. Improvements are evidence-based and impressive.
There are distinct brain areas that interpret the respective sensory input, and through various convergent processing stages – multi-modal association areas – the brain constructs a scene, and understands where we are with respect to our environment. When any of these brain areas becomes dysrhythmic, our interpretation becomes distorted, for example, we can become hyper- or hyposensitive, as is seen in various symptoms of autism.
With neurofeedback, we can train the brain areas relevant for efficient sensory processing and integration. Personalised Brain Training uses the most advanced qEEG brain map interpretation method to form an individualised training plan. Our neurofeedback method applies the most effective training protocols with an enjoyable feedback process, watching movies of choice.
Sensory processing is a well-researched process that involves many dedicated brain areas, and their interaction to produce an impression of our environment, and how it relates to us. Higher integration of ensuing awareness leads us into the realm of “what is consciousness”:
Science shows that our brain is engaged in a constant process of modelling, or predicting, our environment, both with regard to space and time. It does so on the basis of previous sensory information, as well as recent and consolidated memory. Predictions are then matched with reality, and the process begins again. This is an important distinction from the idea that we are merely reacting to our sensory input. It introduces the theory that we essentially anticipate the next moment, and then update our model of our environment, continually.
Autism can be viewed as an impaired capacity to efficiently engage in this predictive process. The theory easily explains the insistence on sameness and inflexibility with regard to changing routines, embracing novelty, interacting with moving objects, reduced appreciation of humour and even Theory of Mind, which is essentially the creation of a model of another person in one’s own mind. An unpredictable world becomes overwhelming, explaining the fear and anxiety we so often witness with the condition, and resorting to self-stimulation (stimming) is an anxiolytic response. As a result of reduced modelling and predictive capacity, repetition is favoured, and this can turn into a strength as replicative behaviours enhance certain skills or narrow areas of focus.
We can think of autism as brain dysregulation in multiple functional areas. This results in many comorbidities, which we implicitly address with neurofeedback training as part of a holistic approach.
Some of the challenges we have seen to improve with neurofeedback training include:
– lack of bodily awareness, motion control and speech, spatial awareness
– an inability to express, understand and convey emotions and physical needs
– increased frustration at not being understood, whether on a basic survival needs level or in more emotional / intellectual areas
– impulsive aggression, potentially morphing into self-fuelling rage and violent behaviour, sometimes self-directed
– perceived lack of empathy and regard for the needs of others
– generally being ‘misunderstood’, to the detriment being able to fully develop strengths and talents
With neurofeedback training, we can address these ultimately self-harming divergences and bring out the incredible potential in all of us.
Neurofeedback training has been shown to be a safe, feasible, and effective therapy approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder across all ages.
Multiple studies confirm:
– improved cognitive function in social, thought and attention domains
– improved cognitive flexibility
– lasting improvement in executive function, working memory and processing speed
– improved facial recognition
– better behaviour, including being less aggressive, more cooperative and better at communication
– improved functional connectivity in the social brain regions
– a 40% reduction in ASD symptoms among 89% of participants, and associated changes in cerebral functional connectivity
– lasting improvement in ACC / DMN flexibility, crucially linked to Theory of Mind
– significant improvements in general and non-verbal communication and social interaction
– lasting, and increasing improvements past the training period, in attention control, cognitive flexibility, planning, communication and social interaction
A 9 point improvement in IQ was reported in a large-scale study, alongside decreased ASD symptoms including attention, anxiety, aprosodias, social functioning, as well as academic and intellectual functioning.
Sensorimotor behaviour (posturography) improved in children.
Neurofeedback training has proven calming effects.
Research evidence for comorbidities, e.g. ADHD, dyslexia, depression, anxiety, seizures, sleep and behaviour is shown under the relevant tabs below.
Emotional Balance is a core necessity for enduring, controlling and dominating the rollercoaster that competition provides.
Neurofeedback is an established method for treating anxiety.
Athletic training and competition involves a lot of changing gears when it comes to physiological arousal. From warm-up to competing, cooling down and waiting for the next stage, gearing up again and performing, and repeating this possibly multiple times in a day or session, flexibility and stability is key.
We can train our brain to be more flexible and stable, in particular with respect to having the right, and steady level of physiological arousal for the situation.
Fears, setbacks and even easy wins can impair our judgement and performance. Having a strong sense of emotional safety, and the ability to self-soothe, are instrumental in ensuring reliable performance.
Neurofeedback takes a holistic approach to emotional balance.
Over-attentive with regard to bodies, shapes and faces, and excessive monitoring of our own in relation to others, our self-confidence and social interactions suffer. There are neural correlates for this which we can train.
Studies have shown that there are neurological differences in people with Body Dysmorphia Disorder. By identifying neuromarkers, we can assess vulnerability using a qEEG brain map (Kaiser Neuromap), and then train the affected brain areas accordingly using neurofeedback.
The condition affects higher order visual processing areas, which relates to the emphasis on face and body recognition and the over-attention to detail.
Also, prefrontal areas pertaining to self-monitoring, risk-taking and empathy are activated differently in BDD.
Sub-cortical structures involved in reward processing see similar activations.
BDD has many comorbidities, including anxieties, social phobia, depression and OCD. Impulsive aggression (violence) and suicidal ideation are also common, as are intrusive thoughts.
From our experience, these issues, among other, show up as vulnerabilities on a Kaiser Neuromap, and we have successfully resolved body dysmorphia issues in clients using Personalised Brain Training, besides many other comorbidities.
Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is another application of neurofeedback training.
We have found neurofeedback to be highly effective in assisting physical rehabilitation. With a Kaiser Neuromap, we can detect areas of hypometabolism that respond hemodynamically with neurofeedback training. There are neuromarkers for mTBI, as well as Alzheimer’s Disease, though these are non-specific (necessary, not sufficient conditions) and should not be seen as diagnosis. General (rather than focal) lesions in neurodegenerative conditions appear to form first in the corpus callosum, a fibre bundle linking the two brain hemispheres; altered functional connectivity has been visible there on a brain map too, in our experience, at an early stage.
There is evidence that neurofeedback supports myelination, improving the important sheathing of axons, which is a critical part of the physical recovery process.
With a brain map, we can detect areas of hypometabolism, some of which are characteristic of mTBI / concussion. Using the most advanced neurofeedback protocols, we have reversed these, indicating the positive hemodynamic effects of neurofeedback training.
Pain perception has neural correlates – there are brain areas that govern our attentiveness to the signs our bodies are giving us.
In the first instance, these signs are real messages that something is wrong and needs dealing with. Medical attention should provide solutions to this.
Sometimes, pain perception can become irrational in this context, and with neurofeedback training we can help the brain establish a more reasonable approach to interpreting such stimulus.
Immediately following concussion / mTBI, there is an increased demand on energy (glutamate) in the brain, at the same time as cerebral blood flow is constrained.
This effect is most pronounced during the first four minutes following impact; other neuromodulatory impairments last for days, and it is estimated that cerebral blood flow is only normalised after around ten days. The blood brain barrier is temporarily disrupted in the first few minutes leading to a complex inflammatory response in the hours and days following injury, and microglia can remain activated for many years.
There are numerous neuromarkers of mTBI, ranging from reduced prefrontal activation to impaired Default Mode Network functionality; while these are non-specific – necessary, but not sufficient conditions – some are highly unusual and show up on a Kaiser Neuromap. With neurofeedback, we can train these, while restoring general functionality of our neural basis of self (the Default Mode Network). We have seen impressive recoveries, both with regard to client feedback and before/after brain maps.
Concussion / mTBI increased the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease by 50% and shares similar mechanisms of promoting tau / amyloid pathology. TBI also increases the risk of Parkinson’s Disease and is capable of producing a prion-like spread of self-seeding proteinopathy. Moderate to severe TBI adds around five years to measured brain age, relative to chronological age.
Research on Neurofeedback for Rehabilitation
– Alpha-Theta neurofeedback training has a “beneficial effect on symptom reduction as well as perceived stress. It also has a beneficial effect on levels of serum cortisol” involving a significant reduction during acute recovery
– neurofeedback training was shown to be effective with Postconcussion Syndrome (PCS)
– efficaceous treatment for chronic posttraumatic headache sustained in military service
– neurofeedback therapy showed significant changes in structural and functional connectivity in young TBI patients, with cognitive scores and concussion symptoms improving significantly
– neurofeedback is shown to be an effective intervention for auditory memory
– deemed “probably an excellent complementary technique” that produced clear benefits in divided and sustained attention, visuospatial skills and the processing speed of motor-dependent tasks in persons with severe TBI
– beneficial outcomes in upper limb stroke rehabilitation
– neurofeedback training can lead to a learned modulation of brain signals with associated changes at both neural and behavioural level
– modulation of premotor cortex and associated motor control areas can be achieved with neurofeedback training
– improvements in TBI / PTSD in Vietnam Veterans across domains of cognition, pain, sleep, fatigue, mood/emotion, PTSD symptoms and overall activity levels
– patients report improvement in a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms in TBI following neurofeedback training
– result of 40 neurofeedback sessions included significant improvements in several motor tasks
The recent rugby player study by the Drake Foundation showed that 23% of players (10 out of 44) had axonal or diffuse vascular injury. This contrasted with athletes in non-collision sports.
Mild traumatic brain injuries are common in rugby, with an incidence rate of 20.4 per 1,000 player match hours (14.8 per 1000h in Australia).
In addition to mTBI, repeated head impacts can lead to neurodegeneration that becomes progressive. This increases the risk of dementia.
Trauma, (C-)PTSD
Trauma and abuse leave scars.
When the viability of our existence has been subjected to threat, our behaviour adapts. We become primed for hypervigilance, sensitive to triggers, and our physiology responds accordingly. A heightened sense of awareness now confers safety, and we can even become addicted to this.
Our brain keeps the score: Areas responsible for defence and vigilance are activated, even when there is no objective reason. Sensory stimulus is amplified, and we dedicate value energy resources to the monitoring of others’ intentions. Anxieties are rekindled, and the strain on our system leaves us exhausted while unable to switch off and effectively recuperate. Our focus and productivity drop, as does our self-esteem. We can feel detached from our bodies, dissociating. Our social capacity is impaired.
Neurofeedback helps us break this cycle: we equip the brain to get over it, to get on with it, re-establish our sense of self-worth, and the ability to constructively engage with our environment. We gain a healthy sense of detachment, which allows us to process the past more efficiently and look forward to the future.
With a brain map, we can identify which parts of our system are being particularly stressed. Neurofeedback training helps us bring these brain areas into better alignment.
Typical Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD
The first indication that we are experiencing trauma / PTSD is when we find ourselves not living in the present. Enjoyment of the moment and social interaction is clouded by constant ruminations about the past, and worries about the future. We are unable to ‘let go’, relax, and grasp opportunities as they present themselves in the Now.
We are plagued by intrusive thoughts that bring us back to events in the past, which needn’t even be related to a traumatic event, but which remind us of some inadequacy and amplify our self-doubt. Feelings of shame and guilt come into the picture as well, further eroding our self-confidence. “How can I be happy and enjoy this after what has happened?”. Similarly, our perception of the future is shrouded in worry and fearful anticipation. Uncertainty is our greatest foe, our perception of safety is unhinged by any doubt as to what could happen next.
The absence of a plan becomes a concern, the lack of clarity as to what’s around the corner a burden. Negativity associated with the past deprives us of hope. We are thus unable to see uncharted territories ahead as an opportunity, and much rather dwell on impending threats.
Indeed, our system is primed to protect us, and we are in survival mode. This process becomes self-feeding as we become addicted to the hyper-arousal our sense of fear induces. Our sense of joy and looking forward to fun becomes clouded to the extent we forget and no longer yearn it. Detachment sets in, further isolating us from feelings that previously motivated us. This process can even start slow and subtly, yet the cycle is self-fulfilling and deprives us of the necessary perspective to break and get out.
In Personalised Brain Training, our definition of trauma is wider. We include for example perceived loss of social standing, which can be either the cause or the consequence of a traumatic event or development. The perceived loss of social position results in us feeling judged. We become hypersensitive to how people approach us, talk to us, deal with us.
This is a subjective concept, as it should be, given that trauma should be recognised as an issue of perception by the affected person, rather than a concept being ‘awarded’ by an unrelated party, though external affirmation can help and medical advice should be sought in any event. As humans, social recognition is a critical component of our biological drive to propagate. Attraction relies on this, which ultimately leads to bonding.
Consequently, there are numerous brain areas devoted to, or involved in, the assessment of our position with regard to others. When our self-perception is assailed, or even the viability of our self is questioned, we are naturally shaken. Various brain areas become dysrhythmic. These include areas responsible for our body control and awareness, and many therapies focus on engaging the body and somatosensory system with a view to inducing cerebral changes.
However, this is only a part of the picture – there are many, arguably more powerful neuronal centres in the brain that are affected by trauma, and with a Kaiser Neuromap and Default Network Training (together, Personalised Brain Training), we can assess the issues more accurately, completely and efficiently, as well as then successfully training the brain to overcome trauma and setting ourselves on course for a positive trajectory.
Another consequence of trauma is that we may feel unable to rationally assert a sense of safety. This is different to self-nurture, or an emotional sense of safety. When we are unable to talk ourselves down from a situation we lose the ability to effectively regulate our moods, to switch off when we need to, and ultimately can become excessively paranoid.
There are neural correlates for this behaviour, and we can asses this with a Kaiser Neuromap. Safety and assurance are core needs we are programmed to seek to fulfil. Authority and role models help us in this quest. When we become dysregulated in our ability to self-soothe, we are also compromised in our ability to find paternal guidance. As a result, we tend to over-idolise figures who seemingly exude strength and power, or disobey completely and become unnecessarily rebellious – both immature behaviour patterns. Resetting this balance is crucial to achieving calming, regulated emotions, reduced hypervigilance and controlling impulsiveness. Personalised Brain Training lets us achieve this.
When hypervigilance persists untreated, we face further problems.
Physically, our heart beats faster and harder, more of the time, which is a clear stress on our system.
Mentally, we become prone to developing intrusive thoughts, even when we are able to relax, and more so when we are stressed, where these can take on third-person character, a voice in our head. This can have a destabilising effect, not least because we are now spending energy ‘defeating’ other perspectives we are internally engaged with, and thus distracting us from the ‘now’. Being on hyper-alert can also make us more susceptible to feeling relational to sensory input, in that we feel that everything is directed at us, which can set us up for psychosis.
As we lose our ability to enjoy the moment, our social interactions suffer. Exercising our social brain keeps us alive and forms the basis for sound mental health. Our brains are adaptive, and we need to provide stimulus to maintain connections and sustain flexibility. Isolation deprives us of many necessary exercises. For example, brain areas that deal with face recognition also respond to affective interactions and the ability to discriminate between emotional content of faces. We need to keep training these brain areas through social interaction in order to maintain emotional recognition – it is not a surprise that perpetual mask-wearing heightens our social anxiety (aside from adverse physical effects).
Social recognition, a key component of our biological need to attract and bond, is driven by sensory interpretations. Again, we need to exercise brain areas that contribute to this, including language and speech generation and comprehension, auditory sensitivity, and monitoring rewards for actions, both directly and vicariously. Our mirror neuron system contributes towards learning from others’ mistakes or examples, and consequently the storage of social rules necessary for constructive functioning in a society.
Inclusion is imperative to establishing a healthy self-image or sense of self. This in turn is crucial to forming stable relationships with friends, family and forming healthy alliances necessary for personal and professional progression. When we lose our sense of belonging to a group or cause, we may become unstable in our self-perception and our relationships with others. The effect may snowball into perceptions of abandonment, feelings of emptiness and dissociation; this in turn correlates with mood dysregulation, impulsive and often dangerous behaviours, intrusive thoughts and potential self-harm.
With Personalised Brain Training, we can assess vulnerability to these traits as they manifest in functional brain area dysrhythmia that shows in a Kaiser Neuromap; with Default Network Training, an advanced form of neurofeedback, we can train these brain areas and networks in a holistic manner to help re-establish balance. This enables us to reconnect with our environment and re-enter a positive feedback loop.
Sleep is adversely affected by trauma. First, the mind needs to ‘let go’ in order to enter deeper sleep cycles, which is a challenge for many. Excessive rumination and intrusive thoughts can hinder this, as does the loss of our ability to rationally calm ourselves down. The depth of our sleep is governed by our ability to self-nurture and create an emotional ‘safe space’. Homeostasis during various sleep stages is governed by other parts of our brain, some still involving the cortex. With a Kaiser Neuromap we can detect dysrhythmia in the relevant brain areas and train these accordingly with Default Network Training (together, Personalised Brain Training).
Focus and organisation suffers as a consequence of sleep issues. This time, different brain areas are affected, which we can also train. When we are unable to concentrate and produce our best output, we become demotivated and our mood and sense of self suffer. Again, there are brain areas responsible for these aspects of being, for which we can again detect dysrhythmia and provide neurofeedback training. The process is holistic – many components have to work together effectively for us to function optimally.
Mood regulation suffers when we lose social integration, sleep and focus. Neurofeedback training found to significantly help 80% of people with depression by aiming to restore motivation, improving sleep and focus, and reducing anxiety.
There are numerous potential cortical contributors to depression, and with a brain map we can see vulnerabilities.
Neurofeedback training lets us address these as well as establish a generally improved sense of well-being in a holistic manner. he positive effects of neurofeedback training have been shown to be lasting. Neurofeedback is non-invasive and medication-free.
There are multiple types of anxiety, each correlating with one or more brain areas being dysrhythmic:
- Social anxiety: When we’re in a situation with other people and our understanding of the social dynamics and complexities is overwhelmed.
- Sensory overload: our brain interprets all sensory stimulus as directed to ourselves. We lose the ability to discern what is directed at us, and which matters or interactions are of no concern to us. This sets us up for panic attacks and ultimately psychosis. It also means we become singular in our perspective, unable to take on other points of view
- Loss of narrative: Our episodic understanding of the situation, how we got there and what happens next, is impaired, and we are unsure of where we are and where we’re going. This hyperactivates our amygdala, and the sensation is highly emotional
- Auditory sensitivity: we become prone to overly interpreting the emotional content of words and sounds, creating an air of prickliness and pushing people away without knowing it
- Activation: Our ARAS is responsible for setting the right level of physiological arousal, or wakefulness, for the situation, and to remain stable there. When this is on overdrive, we are pushed further into fight-or-flight mode than necessary, thus heightening sensory sensitivity. Panic attacks are an extreme manifestation.
- Trauma: an inability to self-nurture – creating an emotional safe-space around us – and self-soothe – being able to talk ourselves down rationally from a situation, thus resulting in mood instability. This can also manifest in dissociation and heightened pain perception. We ruminate about the past and worry about the future, instead of being able to enjoy the present.
- Intrusive thoughts: Self-criticism overshadows motivation and confidence, and we become self-aware and distracted by negative thoughts and feelings. Some use acquired habits to distract from this. Our confidence, motivation and social interaction suffer as a result.
The primary issue of trauma affects brain areas that are activated during empathy and forgiveness. With these two qualities impaired, our emotional life suffers, as do our social capacities. With neurofeedback training, we can restore functionality of these brain areas. Another reason this is important is because we do not want to become oppressors ourselves. As we lose our sense of emotional investment in our surroundings, we become careless with regard to others’ feelings and needs.
Implicitly, we are now capable of unintended yet real behaviour patterns that can harm others, as we become deaf to feedback. Not only has trauma affected us, it now makes us perpetrators that pass it on.
Besides reduced social interaction and a less meaningful emotional life that is now more self-centred – and with the wrong type of therapy, becomes self-indulgent and self-perpetuating – we can experience a physical withdrawal from our environment. Dissociation can be momentary and intense, or subtle and ongoing to the extent that we are not even cognisant of it. Either way, our bodies retreat from sensations, analogous to our emotional withdrawal.
Many therapies aim to revive our sense of ownership of our bodies, and thus ultimately our life and future, by training our body awareness in various ways. Realising that our bodies are steered by our mind, specifically our cortex, we can train the relevant brain areas that govern our body perception and movement execution.
Neurofeedback training effectively complements these approaches by directly treating the areas involved in perception and interaction with our surroundings.
One of the first manifestations of trauma is in our bodies. Aside from heightened physiological arousal, a form of paralysis can override our natural motions and postures. Stress, and pain ensue, which can often be felt all around the body. Fibromyalgia is a variant of this phenomenon, as are headaches, chest pains, and chronic fatigue.
There are many techniques for combating this form of physical dissociation. Neurofeedback complements these by training the brain areas that instruct the body to behave in this undesirable way. It is a holistic approach, and we restore overall calming while providing the brain with rational and emotional capacity to overcome its challenges.
An inability to self-nurture – creating an emotional safe-space around us – and self-soothe – being able to talk ourselves down rationally from a situation, thus resulting in mood instability. This can also manifest in dissociation and heightened pain perception, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. We ruminate about the past and worry about the future, instead of being able to enjoy the present.
Our autonomic nervous system is primed to produce sympathetic nervous system responses, or fight-flight-freeze mode. This wears us down, as it is more energy intensive, our recuperation periods are shortened and we can even become used to the adrenalinergic buzz of being in hypervigilant overdrive. It becomes a safe space. Our pain perception is altered and fluctuates between numbness and hypersensitivity. Deprived of a ‘calm’ reference state, we become vulnerable to overattributing emotions to sensations.
Dissociation is another phenomenon that can ensue, and this can be subtle and paroxysmal. Engagement of defensive mechanisms is triggered pre-, or subconsciously. This can compromise our ability to rationally self-soothe – the role of our prefrontal cortex. Instead, our limbic system is primed. We also lose our emotional sense of safety. The integrity of our Default Mode Network is challenged, as is the natural transition between its activation and that of the Task Positive Network. We are less able to regulate engagement with our environment and the neurological basis for our sense of self is under threat.
There are distinct brain areas regulating pain, physical sensations and our self-awareness, and we can train these with neurofeedback. We can also train brain areas with strong connections to sub-cortical structures that regulate our autonomic nervous system, including the amygdala and our reticular activating (or limbic) system. Our brain is ultimately in charge of trauma response, and with neurofeedback we can assess vulnerability to its various submodalities, and address these with training. This is evidence-based and effective.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia often presents together with ADD/ADHD and other behavioural issues. With a Kaiser Neuromap, we can assess vulnerabilities, and then train these with Personalised Brain Training.
Dyslexia is an impaired ability to understand written and printed words or phrases and affects 10-20% of the population in both males and females. The disorder can result in learning difficulties, poor academic performance, stigmatisation and ensuing behavioural issues.
While often classed as a disability, there are associated strengths: creativity, the ability to solve complex problems, unorthodox approaches to ideas and projects, and a more detached ability to apply logical thinking are some of these. Nonetheless, the condition can impair school and social functioning, slow maturation and significantly affect self-confidence and -esteem.
“Picked up a book and started reading! Unheard of before, I could never get her interested in reading for herself.” – Mother of Anna (9)
There are neural correlates with dyslexia which we can train with neurofeedback.
Reading and comprehension involves multiple brain areas as well as their seamless communication. We have Wernicke’s area for comprehension, and Broca’s for speech generation. Additionally, there are regions involved in sequencing, visual recognition, focus and attention, and contextualisation or syntax recognition of subject matter along with various memory-related areas.
It is important to note that there are different types of dyslexia. A brain map shows us which brain areas are dysrhythmic.
With neurofeedback, we train brain areas involved in visual and auditory processing; memory; focus and attention; syntax and context; sequencing and organisation. We also train the connections between these areas. The approach is holistic: we work on core networks, and their integration with each other.
Research on Neurofeedback and Dyslexia
Research has shown that neurofeedback training can improve reading ability and phonolocigal awareness deficit in children with reading disabilities, as well as improvements in spelling.
For a summary of 18 neuroscientific research studies on language learning impairment produced until 2015, see here.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is often linked to trauma and presents with other symptoms such as anxiety, mood dysregulation and sleep issues. Neurofeedback is an evidence-based treatment for many of these comorbidities.
The elusive source of pain in fibromyalgia can result in misdiagnosis, and often skepticism from medical professionals, compounded by a lack of specific treatment options. This can further erode the sufferer’s self confidence, as they are faced with doubt and misunderstanding. With neurofeedback, we take a holistic approach by stabilising the Default Mode Network, thus re-establishing a healthy sense of self; helping with exacerbating factors such as sleep and motivation issues, and anxieties. Neurofeedback has been shown to be effective in trauma and PTSD.
Fibromyalgia patients report significantly improved pain severity and interference, fibromyalgia symptom severity, sleep latency and sustained attention following eight weeks of neurofeedback training.
A separate study finds significant improvement in cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, pain, sleep, depression and overall activity level in fibromyalgia sufferers, further illustrating the debilitating comorbidities of this condition.
Fibromyalgia patients saw an 82% reduction of fatigue, depression and anxiety, and an increase in social and physical functioning; these effects were upheld. Another fibromyalgia study with different neurofeedback protocols achieved a 39% improvement, and another found a 55% improvement. Neurofeedback training improved functional connectivity in somatomotor areas leading to reduced impact of fibromyalgia and pain symptoms and improved quality of life.
Chronic pain sufferers of Spinal Chord Injury found immediate and lasting effects on pain intensity from neurofeedback training.
Self-criticism overshadows motivation and confidence, and we become self-aware and distracted by negative thoughts and feelings. Some use acquired habits to distract from this. Our confidence, motivation and social interaction suffer as a result.
With a brain map, we can identify vulnerability to various mechanisms of self-deprecation, ranging from thought, habits and mood regulation to actions and self-acceptance. With neurofeedback, we train core networks responsible for our sense of self, as well as brain areas related to adverse behaviour and sensory interpretation.
Clients report feeling more grounded, calm and optimistic. Neurofeedback takes a holistic approach, and we are usually also working on areas related to productivity and motivation.
Menopause
Menopause can have adverse cognitive and mental health symptoms. This is a particularly difficult time when raising children with strong emotional needs as they enter puberty contemporaneously. Ideally, we would like to be grounded and able to offer support while going through a transformative period ourselves.
Neurofeedback training has been shown to be an effective, non-invasive, medication-free treatment for many mental health issues precipitated or exacerbated by menopause..
It is a complementary therapy and evidence presented is based on general applicability, rather than being menopause-specific.
The menopausal transition is often accompanied by mood, memory and sleep issues.
Managing symptoms becomes important to avoid cumulative effects resulting in cognitive impairments.
Symptoms experienced during menopause include:
– weight gain and body awareness issues
– anxiety
– depression
– sexual dysfunction and impaired sense of self
– sleep disturbance
– brain fog: attention and working memory issues
– vasomotor irregularities: hot flashes, night sweats
Personalised Brain Training aims to restore a healthy sense of self by working on brain areas that are core to our individuality, and addressing areas contributing towards anxiety, mood regulation, sleep, memory and physiological self-regulation.
The process is enjoyable – while watching a movie, we obtain a real-time measurement of a particular brain area’s performance. Feedback is given via small changes in volume, which our preconscious mind understands and uses to adjust it’s behaviour, thus learning to be more efficient. The result is a feeling of calm and self-assurance, with improvements in focus, motivation and sleep. Responsiveness can usually be assessed within a few sessions.
Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Mood Regulation and Motivation
There are numerous contributors to depressive tendencies from a neural perspective. A brain map lets us identify possible cortical contributors, and we can train important neural hubs that affect our ability to regulate mood.
In this sense, neurofeedback is a next-generation treatment for depression. We seek to avoid reliance on medication, especially from an early age.
The effectiveness of neurofeedback training in treating depression is well-documented. Effects have been shown to be strong and lasting. Working on depression helps us re-establish our sense of safety in the world, and often correlates with our ability to fall asleep.
There are multiple contributors to Depression, and neurofeedback has been shown to help with each:
– mood regulation and stability
– motivation and productivity
– sleep and effective recuperation
With Personalised Brain Training we take a holistic approach: Key neural networks responsible for our sense of self, for focus and productivity, and for mood regulation are addressed during neurofeedback training. The process is non-invasive and medication free, as well as enjoyable as we use movies to embed the feedback.
Bipolar disorder affects one in five people with depression. Again, we can address brain areas responsible for maintaining stability, and help calming, particularly important during manic episodes, thus seeking to avoid psychosis. Also, given that more than two-thirds of bipolar disorder sufferers are misdiagnosed initially, identifying the presence of non-specific neuromarkers can aid (but not replace) the diagnosis process.
Examples for the Scientific Basis of Neurofeedback
The US National Library of Medicine records over 140 peer-reviewed research papers on neurofeedback and depression, with a significant recent rise in research attention to this non-invasive, drug-free treatment method. Here are some excerpts of the scientific evidence supporting neurofeedback for depression. Note the diversity of brain areas involved, suggesting that depression need not have a single nor consistent source, and the comorbidities often found:
Dr. Corydon Hammond finds in his 2005 paper, “Neurofeedback Treatment of Depression and Anxiety” that neurofeedback training results in “enduring improvements approximately 80% of the time”, with most perceiving a difference after between three and six sessions; a “very significant improvement” after 10-12 sessions, and more so after over 20 sessions.
Twenty sessions of neurofeedback training led to a significant improvement in sleep, anxiety and depression evaluations. The same disorders plus inattention showed significant improvements when conducting ten or more sessions in a naturalistic setting.
Neurofeedback improved depressive symptoms in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) patients, with significant decrease in anxiety and clinical illness severity noted as a result of the training. Cognitive depression was reduced here. Anhedonia and comorbid anxiety in MDD were also improved in this recent study. Cognitive impairment during MDD is recognised and neurofeedback treatment advocated. Its effectiveness on a variety of cognitive functions in MDD such as working memory, attention and executive functions is established.
Neurofeedback is recognised as a next-generation treatment for Major Depressive Disorder.
Increased happiness ratings, mood improvements and decrease in anxiety was documented with related increased activity in specific brain areas. Cognitive-affective brain areas as neural targets for treating depression are recognised here, while higher-order visual areas are implicated in this study that recognises that neurofeedback training can reduce depressive symptoms by over 40%. Further success in treating MDD with comorbid anxiety symptoms was documented here, training specific brain areas.
Sub-threshold depression was improved in college students and recommended as an effective new way for college students to improve self-regulation of emotion.
Rumination, a maladaptive emotional-regulation strategy, was found to have a neurological basis that was successfully reduced while ameliorating depression. The tendency to preferentially attend to negative stimuli in the world and negative thoughts in mind during depression was found to be controllable with neurofeedback. Ruminative processes and avoidance when dealing with autobiographical memories were attributed to specific brain areas and recognised as contributing to Major Depressive Disorder, promoting neurofeedback training as a depression treatment. Similar brain areas when trained with neurofeedback resulted in improvements in self-esteem.
Training brain areas responsive to negative stimuli decreased negative cognitive biases in MDD, showing greater decrease in self-reported emotional response to negative scenes and self-descriptive adjectives. Neurofeedback training is also able to improve processing of positive stimuli in MDD patients. Another recent study achieved significant improvements in reducing the severity of depression and rumination in MDD training a different brain area. Lasting effects of reinforcement learning of better brain habits on rehabilitating emotion regulation in depression through neurofeedback were found. Depressive symptoms were alleviated consistently.
The treatment resistance of recurrent depression is linked to rigid negative self-representations during an identity formative period in adolescents, with potential lifetime repercussions. The study finds neurological evidence for which it recommends neurofeedback interventions. Significant and lasting improvements following neurofeedback training were discovered in another study on Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD). Significant reduction in depression symptoms were reported after four neurofeedback sessions in patients showing no response to current pharmacological or psychological therapies for depression.
Post-operative depression and anxiety, pain, difficulties sleeping and attention and memory problems were resolved in 20 neurofeedback sessions. The 45-year old female was able to return to work subsequently. Cancer patients found non-invasive, drug-free neurofeedback to ameliorate pain, fatigue, depression and sleep. Chronic Stroke victims found neurofeedback therapy to reduce anxiety and depression level while improving motor, verbal and cognitive skills.
Opiate addicts treated additionally with neurofeedback showed greater improvement in depression and somatic symptoms, and relief from withdrawal, as did cocaine addicted individuals.
Multiple Sclerosis sufferers saw depression, fatigue and anxiety reduced, and the results were maintained at a 2-month follow-up.
Elderly patients found a significant improvement of their depression condition following neurofeedback treatment.
Surgery Residents with burnout and depression saw a return to a more efficient neural network following neurofeedback training.
Neurofeedback has been shown to improve sleep quality and sleep onset as early as 1982, with substantially more research interest confirming this in recent years, also in relation with pain and seizures.
Neurofeedback was shown to additionally benefit patients undergoing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Motor Issues, Dyspraxia, Tics, Stutter, Tourette's
Our brain controls our movements. Functional connectivity dysregulation in autism can affect many of the brain areas involved in planning and executing motor actions. With neurofeedback, we can train these areas to improve symptoms in an evidence-based manner.
There are various cortical, and sub-cortical brain areas involved in motor coordination. With neurofeedback, we are training the cortex. Many cortical areas have deep connections to the basal ganglia and cerebellum, and it appears that we are training these deeper structures implicitly.
In our experience, the following issues can resolve with neurofeedback training:
– motor issues, such as dyspraxia and lack of coordination
– stutter and speech production
– facial tics
– uncontrolled, compulsive movements and actions.
Before and after brain maps corroborate these findings; research has so far focused on neuromarkers for these phenomena, and suggest neurotherapy as an adjunct to traditional therapies.
Tourette’s Syndrome can involve many of the above issues, as well as lack of executive control, again an aspect we have seen improve substantially with neurofeedback training.
Before and after brain maps corroborate these findings; research has so far focused on neuromarkers for these phenomena, and suggest neurotherapy as an adjunct to traditional therapies.
Tourette’s Syndrome can involve many of the above issues, as well as lack of executive control, again an aspect we have seen improve substantially with neurofeedback training.
Neurofeedback is an effective, evidence-based method to reduce migraines.
The source and phenomenon of migraines is elusive. Elements in the brainstem that form part of our reticular activating system are suspected to be generators. Neurofeedback training seeks to calm this.
Studies have found cortical differences in migraineurs, which gives us the opportunity to train relevant brain areas. Notably these comprise parts of the Default Mode Network, which we aim to strengthen with neurofeedback.
Personalised Brain Training takes a holistic approach and we look for comorbid symptoms such as PTSD, sleep issues, mood regulation, focus and attention, and anxiety to improve. Neurofeedback is an evidence-based approach to these challenges.
Migraines can respond quickly, though often the process can be extended; secondary symptoms such as sleep, mood regulation, focus and anxiety should respond meanwhile. This usually becomes clear within the first few sessions.
Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions and Compulsions are behaviour patterns we may observe, and which in themselves appear to be pathological or non-conventional. What underlies their motivation however can be far more sinister than what meets the eye. It is often a way for a person to manage or attempt to expunge an internal thought process, which they may or may not be conscious of. We look to break the cycle: Both the internal spiral and the physical manifestation (obsessive / compulsive behaviour patterns), which in themselves can precipitate further mental health issues and social problems.
There are different neural correlates for various OCD behaviours, confirming that this is not a unitary pathology. With a brain map, we can detect dysrhythmia, and train the relevant areas with neurofeedback.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is defined in the latest handbook of psychopathologies, the DSM-5, per below. For the purpose of seeking help and treatment with neurofeedback, a complementary therapy method, we are less interested in whether to fit someone in a basket – huge overlap may exist with other defined pathologies, which include depression, anxiety, body awareness issues, psychotic behaviour and the autism and schizophrenia spectrums.
Rather, we look for vulnerabilities as expressed in a Kaiser Neuromap and train these accordingly.
Comorbidities of OCD
OCD most commonly presents with a number of other mental health issues. With neurofeedback we can address most of these symptoms in an evidence-based, medication-free manner.
Around two-thirds of OCD sufferers also present with depression. One fifth have anxiety or panic disorder. Mood regulation, ADHD, trauma and substance abuse affects ten percent, as do body awareness disorders. Tics and autism can affect one in twenty.
DSM-5 Definition of OCD
The presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both AND the obsessions or compulsions are time consuming (e.g., take more than one hour per day) or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning AND the disturbance is not due to the direct physiological efects of a substance (e.g. drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition AND the disturbance is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder
(1) Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive, unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress; and (2) The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges or images, or to neutralise them with some thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion).
(1) Repetitive behaviours (e.g. hand washing, ordering checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to the rules that must be applied rigidly; and (2) the behaviours or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however these behaviours or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralise or prevent or are clearly excessive.
Behaviour patterns we can seek to address with neurofeedback training include the following:
– excessive worries, intrusive thoughts and ruminations
– guilty ruminations and negative outlook
– preoccupation with self and appearance
– substance abuse issues
– inappropriate risk taking, impulse-control and lack of inhibition
– social awareness and invasive behaviour
– hallucinations, delusions and excessive internal dialogue
– repetitive restrictive behaviour
– letting go – emotional and physical hoarding.
Pain perception has neural correlates – there are brain areas that govern our attentiveness to the signs our bodies are giving us.
In the first instance, these signs are real messages that something is wrong and needs dealing with. Medical attention should provide solutions to this.
Sometimes, pain perception can become irrational in this context, and with neurofeedback training we can help the brain establish a more reasonable approach to interpreting such stimulus.
PoTS - Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) was first described in the 1940s, refined in 1993 and finally received a specific diagnostic code in October 2022. It is characterised by exercise intolerance and near syncope upon standing upright, elevated pulse (tachycardia) by 30-40bpm within 10 minutes of standing up, fatigue, anxiety and light-headedness. Often misdiagnosed as chronic anxiety or panic disorder, the group of symptoms comprised by PoTS has a biomarker and increasingly considered an autoimmune disorder, rather than only autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Specifically, increased levels of cytokines and chemokines characteristic of an innate immune condition were found, similar to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, type-1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
The condition affects females five times more frequently than males, mainly between 15-25 years of age, with over one million affected in the US alone. PoTS symptoms can persist for years, though half of patients find that orthostatic symptoms and functional impairment subside within five years, and of thost most within 1-2 years. It is estimated that 2-14% of Covid sufferers go on to develop PoTS, while 30% of long Covid patients, especially women, meet the diagnostic criteria.
A client presenting with PoTS like symptoms, recovered within three months of starting neurofeedback training, to the extent that the tachycardia was fully under control and anxieties had subsided substantially. Clinical studies will have to prove correlation. Notably, physical symptoms became manageable, from being previously incapacitating, in a relatively short period of time. This result is encouraging, especially with regard to the speed and extent of recovery, and neurofeedback has been shown to be effective for anxiety. Also, in this person, other neurological issues could be detected with qEEG.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) affects about 5% of the population. It is a serious, chronic condition characterised by a painful urge to move the limbs. This is only relieved by walking, and can affect the ability to fall asleep, as much as concentration during seated tasks, like office work.
Treatment often involves medication that affects dopamine or norepinephrine levels. These are considered strong, regular and indeed permanent interventions by many.
Neurofeedback, in our experience, has woked in reducing and eliminating restless leg symptoms in many clients. In fact, while optimising training frequency during a neurofeedback session, the symptom has been observed to stop when this was found. A subsequent small deviation would restart the symptom, only to subside again upon return to the optimum training frequency. This suggests that restless leg syndrome is highly sensitive and susceptible to neurofeedback training.
To have a chance at permanency, it is recommended to do twenty sessions of neurofeedback. The cost of this compares very favourably to the irritation the untreated RLS causes. This includes lack of sleep, resulting irritability, loss of productivity, and the potential for side effects if a medication route is chosen.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia comprises a wide range of thought disorders, which ultimately affect an individual’s ability to share a reality with others. Causes can be trauma, emotional or physical; drug use; stress; genetics.
With neurofeedback training we aim to restore a healthy sense of self; flexibilise the social brain; and ameliorate comorbidities such as intrusive thoughts, mood disorders, focus and attention issues, paranoia and anxieties; and psychosis.
Neurofeedback training can improve functional connectivity and strengthen white matter tracts, both of which are impaired in Schizophrenia.
Each person is different: with a Kaiser Neuromap we assess individual vulnerabilities and train these with neurofeedback. Personalised Brain Training enables the person to unfold their genius in a socially reciprocal manner.
Neurofeedback is medication-free, non-invasive and evidence-based.
While there are certain commonalities between sufferers of schizophrenia, no two brains are the same. On the basis of a brain map we can identify particular vulnerabilities and work on these specifically.
Neurofeedback training can help restore the integrity of the Default Mode Network, the neural basis for ‘self’, as well as switching between self-referential states and active modes (the Central Executive and the Salience Networks).
Emotional self-regulation can be improved and anxiety, depression, sleep and focus issues alleviated.
Neurofeedback can calm the brain and help manage the ‘Voices’, as well as other regions prone to over-priming external agency. Significant reduction in Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVH) has been achieved with neurofeedback training.
Psychosis is a state that can occur, and recur, in persons diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Trauma and neurodegenerative conditions. Note however that it is not a necessary condition for any of these.
Daniel Webster of Neurofeedback London-Brighton has extensive experience working with Schizophrenia patients. Research and experience have shown effectiveness of neurofeedback training for Schizophrenia and its various comorbidities (see other tabs)
Psychosis
A feature of psychosis is a state of mind where all sensory stimulus is interpreted as being directed to oneself.
While it is natural for infants and children to interpret the world this way, we grow out of this mode between the ages of 3-5. We can assist this important maturation step with neurofeedback training.
As we mature, we start to learn that not everything that’s happening in the world is directed at ourselves.
Feeling as if everything is directed at us results in anxiety and / or deep depression, and clouds our interactions with others.
It also reduces our ability to take on other perspectives, consider different views and be accommodating of others’ stances. This reduces people’s self-awareness and thus insight into the need for change and improvement, providing another obstacle to betterment.
Shocks, such as trauma, drug use (in particular, cannabis and cocaine) and isolation (such as lockdowns) can cause us to revert into this child-like state, without us noticing.
Psychosis is a state that can occur, and recur, in persons diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Trauma and neurodegenerative conditions. Note however that it is not a necessary condition for any of these.
Schizophrenia comprises a wide range of thought disorders, which ultimately affect an individual’s ability to share a reality with others. Causes can be trauma, emotional or physical; drug use; stress; genetics.
With neurofeedback training we aim to restore a healthy sense of self; flexibilise the social brain; and ameliorate comorbidities such as intrusive thoughts, mood disorders, focus and attention issues, paranoia and anxieties; and psychosis.
Each person is different: with a Kaiser Neuromap we assess individual vulnerabilities and train these with neurofeedback. Personalised Brain Training enables the person to unfold their genius in a socially reciprocal manner.
Neurofeedback is medication-free, non-invasive and evidence-based.
Schizophrenia is an elusive term: its definition allows for wide subjective interpretation, and resembles almost an ‘other’ category for mental health disorders not elsewhere defined more strictly. Whether overlap and/or comorbidity, the following addresses the phenomenon resulting from dysrhythmia of key Default Mode Network nodes and thus a disintegration of the neurological definition of ‘self’. Labelling can have deleterious consequences for a person’s self-esteem, and it risks association with worse symptoms and manifestations than experienced.
In Schizophrenia, the formation of a neural basis for a ‘self’, the Default Mode Network, is impaired, as is its ability to anti-correlate with the Central Executive Network. Key nodes of these networks are often dysrhythmic, impacting the ability to self-sooth and self-nurture.
Thought disorders, delusions or hallucinations are signs of not engaging sufficiently with the outside world. These have neural correlates which we can detect with a Kaiser Neuromap and then train with neurofeedback.
Many other pathologies ensue, including trauma, mood dysregulation, sleep and focus issues, and other personality disorders are at risk of developing as the social brain breaks down.
With neurofeedback, we aim to restore social functionality, launching the person back into a virtuous cycle of affirmation and productivity with others.
Daniel Webster has done week-long intensives with clients, where substantial progress was made in reducing psychosis and trauma symptoms. This was ascertainable with before and after Kaiser Neuromaps, corroborating positive functional connectivity changes. These were confirmed cognitively by the clients and their families.
Neurofeedback is a form of complementary therapy and works alongside medication and psychotherapy, as well as calm-inducing approaches aimed at re-socialisation and maximising of interpersonal function.
Seizures and Epilepsy
One of the first discoveries made in the exploration of EEG, fifty years ago in 1972, was the ability to improve seizure resistance through neurofeedback.
An analysis of studies indicated that 82% of subjects demonstrated significant (more than 30%) seizure reduction, with an average value of 50%.
A 2009 review of studies established that EEG operant conditioning was found to produce a significant reduction on seizure frequency.
Barry Sterman was able to cure a 23-year old female epileptic from seizures using his SMR-biofeedback training over the course of two-and-a-half years.
Another pioneer of the field, Joel Lubar, reached similar results.
In our experience, neurofeedback has improved seizure resistant in many cases, and has always been beneficial in the treatment of secondary mental health effects. Medical attention should always be sought, and sources can be diverse and elusive.
Self-Harm
Impulsive aggression can become self-directed at times. This irrational urge is often triggered when an autistic child doesn’t get what they want, or feels misunderstood and frustrated. Self harm can also take the form of resignation, accepting less than one’s worth, and thus denying oneself recognition and opportunity.
Neurofeedback calms the mind and we can address brain areas contributing to self-harming ideation and intrusive thoughts.
We look to improve sense of self, reduce anxieties and strengthen inhibition levels while reducing self-directed impulsive aggression.
‘Self-harm’ can take many forms, and beyond physical manifestations (e.g. cutting, suicidal thought or even action) it can be more subtle:
– Accepting less than what we’re worth, overly and unnecessarily acquiescing to the perceived demands of others when not at all in our own self-interest, self-deprecation
– an inability to defend one’s own stance and needs are often overlooked and can be very harmful to a person’s development, especially when repeated and consolidated into a character trait.
With a Kaiser Neuromap we can detect vulnerability to such behaviour, including suicidal tendencies or ideation.
This is not diagnosis and it is non-specific in that dysrhythmia of the brain area(s) responsible for this is a necessary, but not sufficient condition. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile finding that can help prevent worse outcomes by prompting awareness and intervention.
With neurofeedback training, we have helped self-harming adolescents transition from ‘cutting’ and dissociation to becoming engaged young individuals who are able to stand their ground, maturely deal with setbacks and embrace the sense of being part of a community.
Neurofeedback is a complementary therapy and medical attention should be sought in cases of self-harm.
Our brain interprets all sensory stimulus as directed to ourselves. We lose the ability to discern what is directed at us, and which matters or interactions are of no concern to us. This sets us up for panic attacks and ultimately psychosis. It also means we become singular in our perspective, unable to take on other points of view.
Ideally, we would like to have a healthy sense of detachment and the ability to take on other perspectives while being free to develop and defend our own. This contrasts with a state where we feel that every sensory stimulus is aimed at us. It is also different to dissociation, where we don’t feel part of the situation or even our body. Rather, it is about being able to discern between what is directed at us, and which are other dynamics in the room that don’t concern us. We also want this process to be instinctive, that is, pre-conscious and efficient, so we don’t have to waste conscious resources, and time that takes us away from the moment.
An extreme example is when we feel that too much is going on around us and we respond by having to turn the music down, explode at our environment or, potentially worse, retreating into tacit acceptance and self-deprecating thought. We can even feel that people are talking about us, and are convinced that we are the centre of every situation. This is highly stressful, resulting in anxiety and often deep depression. It can also lead to psychosis, for which this state of mind is a necessary, but not sufficient condition.
With neurofeedback, we can restore the brain’s ability to self-regulate efficiently.
Sleep
"I felt so calm last night! And slept like there were magnets between me and the bed. 10 hours straight."
"Slept like a log."
"Since I started neurofeedback training, my dreams have come back!"
Client testimony.
Sleep is where we recover – physically, mentally, emotionally.
It is a complex process whereby the brain enters different behaviour patterns in various stages. Slow wave sleep is where our body recovers; REM sleep is where we digest the day’s experiences, consolidate what we’ve learned and let our brain process memories and impressions.
Ideally, we would like to be able to switch off once comfortable, enter a deep sleep and wake up restored and energetic. If our sleep suffers, so do our concentration, productivity, physical abilities and emotional flexibility.
Neurofeedback has been shown to improve sleep quality and sleep onset as early as 1982, with substantially more research interest confirming this in recent years, also in relation with pain and seizures.
Brain areas and connections identified in research to be dysrhythmic in clients with insomnia respond well to neurofeedback training, in our experience, helping to restore REM sleep and depth of recovery.
Sleep is adversely affected by trauma and anxiety. First, the mind needs to ‘let go’ in order to enter deeper sleep cycles, which is a challenge for many. Excessive rumination and intrusive thoughts can hinder this, as does the loss of our ability to rationally calm ourselves down. The depth of our sleep is governed by our ability to self-nurture and create an emotional ‘safe space’. Homeostasis during various sleep stages is governed by other parts of our brain, some still involving the cortex. With a Kaiser Neuromap we can detect dysrhythmia in the relevant brain areas and train these accordingly with Default Network Training (together, Personalised Brain Training).
Focus and organisation suffers as a consequence of sleep issues. This time, different brain areas are affected, which we can also train. When we are unable to concentrate and produce our best output, we become demotivated and our mood and sense of self suffer. Again, there are brain areas responsible for these aspects of being, for which we can again detect dysrhythmia and provide neurofeedback training. The process is holistic – many components have to work together effectively for us to function optimally.
Neurofeedback has also been successful in treating other sleep disorders, such as somnambulism (sleepwalking), obstructive sleep apnea (to the extent the cause is not physical), confusional arousals, sleep terrors, nightmares, nocturnal enuresis (bed-wetting), delated sleep phase disorder, insomnia and restless leg syndrome. Evidence is provided at practitioners’ conferences and has yet to be manifested in published research. The above disorders have EEG correlates, which provides an intuitive basis for understanding that we have a chance at treatment with neurofeedback training.
Different neural hubs are responsible for sleep onset and depth of sleep. We can identify vulnerabilities with a brain map, and train these with neurofeedback to help restore healthy sleep hygiene.
Sleep is usually one of the first things to normalise during neurofeedback training.
We have also seen improvements in other sleep conditions, such as enuresis and sleep apnea.
Speech & Language
One in four persons with ASD are non-verbal, and 40% of all children referred to an autism clinic have significant speech delay, regardless of diagnosis.
Infants begin to understand and produce single words and gestures in the context of playful interaction from 12 months of age; between 18-24 months there is a rapid expansion in vocabulary and knowledge of rules regarding conversational exchange. Typically developing children will use language for social interaction; this contrasts with ASD children who are more likely to use words to regulate their environment (demands, protest), rather than with communicative intent. Despite the range of language abilities, articulation skills are generally spared. There is a strong link between language and social skills in autism.
Speech development has numerous components, all of which have neural correlates, meaning there are brain areas contributing towards language comprehension and generation, which have to mature and work together efficiently. This means we have a chance to improve speech generation by training the brain, and both research and experience confirm this. The research below illustrates how we can assist with improving necessary building blocks that contribute to a person’s development of speech and language capabilities.
Speech and language development are also a function of social reciprocity, both with regard to initiation and reception. It should therefore not be seen in isolation, and rather as an accompanying component of improving effective synchrony with the social environment.
Personalised Brain Training takes a holistic approach to improving social integration by way of training various features of cognition and consciousness, including sense of self, joint attention, Theory of Mind, focus, mood regulation, behavioural challenges and communication, both verbal and non-verbal.
Research on Neurofeedback and Speech
Neurofeedback training was shown to improve speech-in-noise perception and auditory discrimination that was applicable post training and long-lasting. This shows that we can positively affect neural encoding of acoustic inputs in the auditory cortex, a frequent issue with autistic individuals.
In ADHD children, neurofeedback training improved visual memory, enhanced auditory short-term memory and auditory working memory.
Biofeedback produced better and more lasting effects than traditional therapy in behavioural dysphonia.
Neurofeedback was shown to improve the ability to identify emotional prosodic intonations.
Phonetic recognition and reading skills have been shown to improve with neurofeedback training, another important component of speech and language acquisition (see “Dyslexia”).
Personalised Brain Training is a holistic approach; we also train brain areas relating to focus, motivation and sense of self, as well as sequencing and motor skills, all of which contribute to the development of speech.
Neurofeedback is a form of complementary therapy and should not be seen as a replacement for conventional medicine. qEEG brain map-based neurofeedback training takes a more holistic approach to brain functioning, rather than just focusing on medical symptoms. It is not intended as a form of diagnosis nor medical intervention nor medical advice per the disclaimer.
Brain Maps and Personalised Brain Training Explained
Personalised Brain Training with Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback lets us train dysrythmic brain areas. With sensors comfortably fitted to the brain areas we want to train, we detect brainwave patterns real-time while watching a movie. When these patterns are inefficient, the volume drops momentarily. This is the feedback we are giving our brain, short and instantaneously.
The brain area we are training recognises this – while our conscious mind is focussed on the movie – and adjusts its behaviour to restore the normal volume. With repetition, throughout a session, learning occurs.
Meanwhile our conscious mind is solely focussed on the movie; the training process is passive in this sense.
The drop in volume is subtle, so we continue to understand the flow of the movie. No current or electrical stimulation is fed to the brain; sensors simply read brainwaves and the feedback is purely audio-visual.
Neurofeedback trains our Pre-Conscious Mind
Rather than engaging the conscious mind, which slows us down, we are training preconscious processes.
This equips us with the ability to live in the moment and attain our potential (if we have to resort to conscious control, we are not living in the moment).
We take a holistic approach to healthy brain self-regulation, rather than categorisation or diagnosis.
Personalised Brain Training is an advanced qEEG brain map-based approach to neurofeedback training developed by the founders of the field. Taking Othmer Method / ILF training methods further, it employs Default Network Training protocols as developed by David Kaiser.
Neurofeedback is Evidence-based
Neurofeedback training is an evidence-based complementary therapy. Its efficacy was first demonstrated some 50 years ago, and with advances in technology, training protocols have become more efficient and the feedback method – watching movies – thoroughly enjoyable.
Neurofeedback is evidence-based. It’s first application was discovered in 1971 when it was used to resolve intractable epilepsy.
There are over 2,000 peer-reviewed research reports on PubMed demonstrating efficacy across a number of pathologies.
In the US, it is an accepted complementary treatment for many challenges.