A woman's hand with a butterfly undergoing neurofeedback.

Neurofeedback

1 Sep, 2023 | ADHD, Mental Health, Sleep

Neurofeedback is all about your brain and how it functions. It has been used for a few decades and is the subject of many research studies. Neurofeedback has been investigated for its diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, insomnia, epilepsy and more. By placing electrodes on the scalp, the electroencephalogram (EEG) is able to record neuronal activity, represented as brain waves in different frequencies and amplitudes. These frequencies are categorised into delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma, each representing different functions in the brain [1].

The following is a summary of the main aspects we would consider:

BrainwaveFrequencyFunction
Delta1-4 HzSleep, repair, complex problem solving
Theta4-8 HzCreativity, insight, deep states
Alpha8-12 HzAlertness and peacefulness, readiness, meditation, flow
SMR12-15 HzMental alertness, physical tension
Beta13-21 HzThinking, focus, sustained attention
High beta20-32 HzIntensity, hyper alertness, anxiety
Gamma38-42 HzCognitive processing, learning

At our practice, we use neurofeedback primarily as an investigative tool. The assessment helps us to determine problems with brain fatigue, sleep, focus and concentration, mood, stress and anxiety, and other imbalances and unusual activity of the brain. We do this to ensure that we create an effective treatment protocol, individualised for your brain.  

An example where this can have a meaningful impact, is when individuals that have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) actually have an undetected sleep disorder that presents with symptoms that are subjectively interpreted as ADHD. The assessment allows us to be more accurate in our treatment, and therefore more effective, improving the quality of life of the patient. 

A non-invasive assessment is done in our rooms, where brain-wave activity is recorded in short 90-second intervals. The whole process takes approximately 2 hours to complete – 30 minutes for the assessment and 1.5 hours for the consultation and feedback. We use an EEG to record brainwave activity in 5 – 7 different areas on your head relating to different parts of the brain. Each area of the brain gives different information, as does each different brain wave frequency. From this we can detect possible imbalances and how these are affecting your mood, performance and every-day functioning.  

The neuro-assessment can be done on adults and children older than 5. It often provides us with rich information which is helpful to both the patient and the doctor. If imbalances are noted, an individualised combination of homeopathic remedies, supplements, sleep support, lifestyle changes and/or breathwork can be used to alleviate symptoms and improve the patient’s cognitive performance. 


[1] (n.d.). Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design …. Retrieved August 14, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4892319/

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