By Patricia Norris (about the author)
futurehealth.org Permalink
For Futurehealth: Patricia Norris - Writer
By Patricia Norris and Steve Fahrion
Beta
EEG Brainwave Biofeedback
This procedure uses computerized visual and/or auditory feedback to provide
the individual with information about the presence of brainwaves within
the beta range (nominally 13-20 Hz). For example, we often represent the
amplitude of beta activity with a circle that gets larger as the size of
the beta increases, together with a tone that represents these changes.
Using this feedback, an individual can typically begin to make changes in
brainwave activity readily easily, and in doing so, to make changes in associated
behavior (focused attention).
Alpha-Theta
Biofeedback EEG Training:
EEG biofeedback
is a procedure in which brainwaves are measured and turned into sounds
or visual displays that inform the individual when particular brainwaves
are present. For example, a low-pitched tone may indicate the presence
of theta brainwaves (4-8 Hz or cycles/second). A higher pitched tone may
indicate the presence of alpha brainwaves (8-13 Hz). Using these indications,
the individual can learn through trial-and-error to increase the presence
of these brainwaves in order to enhance relaxed, pleasurable states. Such
states tend to enhance creative imagery and reverie as opposed to logical,
linear thought processes.
Theta
EEG Brainwave Biofeedback:
This procedure uses computerized visual and/or auditory feedback to provide
the individual with information about the presence of brainwaves within
the theta range (4-8 Hz). Increased theta activity is usually associated
with states of reverie that have been known to the creative people of all
time.
For
example, when Thomas Edison had a problem to solve, he would often
attempt to "fall asleep" at his desk with ball bearings clutched in
each hand. Just as he was about to "drop off," the ball bearings would
fall to the floor activating him, and he would often return from the
drowsy state with an image of the problem solution. Theta occurs in
abundance in that delicious state just on the verge of sleep that
most of us a familiar with. It is often difficult to recapture the
images that occur in association with theta as we move to normal waking
consciousness, yet it can be useful to develop this skill.
Delta
EEG Brainwave Biofeedback:
This procedure uses computerized visual and/or auditory feedback to provide
the individual with information about the presence of brainwaves within
the delta range (nominally 2-4 Hz). While delta waves are observed below
2 Hz, those in that range are usually greatly enhanced by body movement
and are best regarded as an artifact of motion rather than as an index of
deep brain relaxation and unfocused attention. Delta occurs naturally for
most individuals in the first stage of deep (Stage IV) sleep before the
first dream period of the night. It's absence during this time is associated
with suppression of growth hormone, as in chronic fatigue syndrome. Growth
hormone is necessary to repair the connective tissue in order to prevent
aches and pains.
Delta
is also seen after a head injury or other insult to the brain (e.g.,
after a migraine headache). Suppressing delta activity through Delta
Brainwave Biofeedback results in an alert brain and supports improved
focus of attention.
Neurofeedback
Therapy for Alertness and Focused Attention:
This treatment procedure utilizes other elements noted in this article including Beta EEG Biofeedback (Enhancement), Theta and Delta EEG Biofeedback
(Suppression) and Attentional Challenge.
Attentional
Challenge
While not yet commonly used by treaters working with ADD, we use attentional
challenge in the later phases of treatment to aid generalization of learned
skills to the classroom or other distracting environment. In attentional
challenge, the treater tells the trainee, "No matter what I do, don't pay
any attention to me: stay focused on the training task." The treater then
engages in a series of distracting maneuvers during the training process.
Challenge periods alternate with regular training periods until the trainee
can do as well or better under challenge than without it.
| |
Attention
Deficit (ADD)
and Closed Head Injury
|
Conventional Treatment
These are often poorly diagnosed problems. ADD is now considered
to affect approximately 3% of children, especially males, and to continue
into adulthood with some 60-70% of those afflicted. ADD may include
hyperactive behavior or not. It is often relatively ineffectively
treated with addictive medications, and often returns when the medications
are stopped. Despite acknowledged problems with medication treatment
of the disorder, a strong lobby exists among certain groups of professionals
who support these solutions and who disparage new treatment approaches
Closed
Head Injury may result from head trauma even when the skull
is not fractured and the individual does not lose consciousness.
It may result from birth injuries, falls, accidents, and the like.
Cognitive Rehabilitation, reducing situational demands through structure,
and self-medication through the use of stimulants or marijuana are
common responses to such problems.
Neurofeedback
Therapy
The basic problem in ADD/ADHD is that there is a relative surplus
of slow-wave activity, and a relative absence of fast-wave activity.
When fast rhythms are absent in the frontal (executive) areas of
the brain, expression of emotions is not inhibited in the normal
way, and the individual may operate in impulsive, emotional, and
daydreamy ways, rather than with focused attention. Other conditions
that may reduce frontal inhibition of emotions even in those without
ADD problems include drugs of abuse, low blood sugar, lack of sleep,
and emotional experiences.
Using
a digitizing EEG, it is possible to readily determine the ratio
of theta/beta brainwave amplitudes, and to obtain an index of how
well the individual is likely to be able to focus attention. Scientists
and engineers and other who are highly skilled at focused attention
have theta/beta ratios around "1.0". Similarly, it is possible to
test for delta/beta ratios and to obtain an index of central nervous
system alertness. Those who alert are usually more able to attend
to and to remember events occuring in their presence. When theta/beta
and delta/beta ratios exceed 3.5, the individual is likely to have
difficulty maintaining focus of attention and alertness. The same
equipment used to make these determinations can drive a feedback
tone and help individuals alter theta/beta and delta/beta ratios
and associated behaviours.
| |
Addictive
Disorders
A new understanding of the biology of addiction
has emerged in the past ten years. |
Individuals
with addictive problems often have inherited a deficiency in brain
function--a relative absence of slow brainwaves--that limits their
ability to experience satisfaction from everyday life events. The
use of addictive substances then represents an attempt to self-medicate
that is doomed to long-term failure as more and more of the substance
is required to "feel good," or even feel OK.In contrast, a new
treatment, Neurofeedback Therapy, is proving effective for these problems;
it involves learning to correct for the inherited deficiency in slow
EEG activity by increasing the presence of alpha and theta brainwave
activity.
Neurofeedback
Therapy for Addictions
This new treatment for addictive disorders actually uses two forms
of biofeedback (noted below) to correct for the deficit in slow
brainwave activity. Neurofeedback Therapy results in very low relapse
rates compared to conventional treatment. This is, in part, due
to the fact that it seems to function as a "mental antibuse." The
treated individual who attempts to use addictive substances experiences
flu-like symptoms over a couple of days. While this effect of treatment
has not yet been explained it seems to be fairly consistent. After
treatment, addictive substances also tend to lose their ability
to instill a "high." These two effects of treatment together result
in greatly reduced relapse behavior. The longest followed individuals
are now seven years post-treatment, with none of the treated individuals
currently engaged in substance abuse.
| |
Attention
Deficit (ADD)
and Closed Head Injury
|
Conventional Treatment
These are often poorly diagnosed problems. ADD is now considered
to affect approximately 3% of children, especially males, and to continue
into adulthood with some 60-70% of those afflicted. ADD may include
hyperactive behavior or not. It is often relatively ineffectively
treated with addictive medications, and often returns when the medications
are stopped. Despite acknowledged problems with medication treatment
of the disorder, a strong lobby exists among certain groups of professionals
who support these solutions and who disparage new treatment approaches
Closed
Head Injury may result from head trauma even when the skull
is not fractured and the individual does not lose consciousness.
It may result from birth injuries, falls, accidents, and the like.
Cognitive Rehabilitation, reducing situational demands through structure,
and self-medication through the use of stimulants or marijuana are
common responses to such problems.
Neurofeedback
Therapy
The basic problem in ADD/ADHD is that there is a relative surplus
of slow-wave activity, and a relative absence of fast-wave activity.
When fast rhythms are absent in the frontal (executive) areas of
the brain, expression of emotions is not inhibited in the normal
way, and the individual may operate in impulsive, emotional, and
daydreamy ways, rather than with focused attention. Other conditions
that may reduce frontal inhibition of emotions even in those without
ADD problems include drugs of abuse, low blood sugar, lack of sleep,
and emotional experiences.
Using
a digitizing EEG, it is possible to readily determine the ratio
of theta/beta brainwave amplitudes, and to obtain an index of how
well the individual is likely to be able to focus attention. Scientists
and engineers and other who are highly skilled at focused attention
have theta/beta ratios around "1.0". Similarly, it is possible to
test for delta/beta ratios and to obtain an index of central nervous
system alertness. Those who alert are usually more able to attend
to and to remember events occuring in their presence. When theta/beta
and delta/beta ratios exceed 3.5, the individual is likely to have
difficulty maintaining focus of attention and alertness. The same
equipment used to make these determinations can drive a feedback
tone and help individuals alter theta/beta and delta/beta ratios
and associated behaviours.
excerpted from The
Life Sciences Institute of Mind-Body
Health
Psychophysiologic psychotherapist Patricia Norris, Ph.D. is a past president of AAPB with over three decades of experience with psychophysiologic self-regulation. She has specialized in psychoneuroimmunology applications, emphasizing (
more...)
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Must Read (0) 
Well Said (0) 
News (0) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Supported (0) 
Interesting (0) 
Inspiring (0) 
Valuable (0) 
