Neurofeedback Training

Michael Dahl

CS 575

Introduction

• Goal: Learning to self-regulate one’s own brain

• It is technology’s answer to psychotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and poor cerebral functioning– Mental Health Professionals

– Educators

– Occupational Therapists

– Rehabilitation Counselors

– Doctors

Biofeedback• Attaching sensors to the body for purpose of

acquiring biological signals such as:– Heart rate

– Muscle tension

– Body temperature

– …

• Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback– Brains electrical activity

Inside the Brain

• Neurons

Detecting activity inside the Brain

• When many neurons fire at the same time, they may produce electrical activity detectable to an electrode placed on the head.

• Electroencephalograph (EEG) - Graphical representation of neuronal activities in the brain.

Early History• 1875: Richard Canton – First person to record electrical

activity from the brain. He discovered fluctuation in the brain’s electrical activity follow mental activity

• 1920’s: Hans Berger – First to measure EEG on human scalp. Discovered several types of brainwaves

Berger’s EEG recording apparatus Berger’s electrode cap

Brain wave types

Performance and Arousal

More History

• 1963: Joseph Kamiya – trained patient to recognize alpha state through verbal reinforcement

• 1968: Barry Sterman – Trained cats to increase SMR

Modern Developments

• 1970’s – 1980’s: QEEG

• 1980’s – 1990’s: Use of computer graphics and sound for neurofeedback training

Brain regions• Each region of the brain is associated with

specific fundamental operations

International 10-20 System of Electrode Placement

Example locations:

Equipment for neurofeedback

• Desktop PC (preferably double monitor)

• Brain amp

• Electrodes and paste

Equipment for neurofeedback

• Software– Program for data acquisition, processing

and display (i.e. BioExplorer)

- Video games, movie player, ….

Snapshot of data at site czNormative ADHD

OCD / Anxiety Disorders PTSD

QEEG

• Developed in 1970’s / 1980’s

• 19 sensors on scalp

• Broad picture of the brain in action

• Can compare results to normative database– Often used to access progress of neuorofeedback

training

QEEG comparison

EEG SignaturesEEG Signatures for ADD EEG Signatures for Anxiety Disorders

Two branches of treatment

• Normalizing the EEG

• Personal growth and mental flexibility (peek performance)

Video

• Chris Kaman’s Story– NBA basketball player for the Clippers

– http://www.youtube.com/neurocoretv#p/a/u/1/PWndvoCjrxY

Near Future

• Virtual Reality– Enhance neurofeedback in a couple ways

• The total immersion and totality of the feedback allows the patient to focus completely on his physiology without distraction

• More engaging and motivating for the client

Some Predictions for the Future

• At some point, every home will have one. We will all hook up to a machine with electrodes. It will be as common as physical exercise.

• Someday people may even wear tiny computers to monitor their EEG and tell them when they need to make adjustments.

Conclusion

• Field of neurofeedback is still in its infancy– Research in thin

– Clinical outcome studies are overwhelming

• Research needs to be funded to gain support of insurance companies, schools, and doctors