Neurofeedback’s effectiveness is backed by an impressive track record. It has been shown to help manage a wide range of conditions that affect us,
such as:
With neurofeedback, one size does not fit all. Your treatment plan is tailored to your unique brain patterns and individual needs. This safe and non-invasive method harnesses the power of your own brain, without the need for medications or surgical procedures.
Training involves operant conditioning that uses hundreds of small “rewards” (in the form of a visual cue and/or sound) that let the patient know their brain is regulating towards optimization. Over a series of sessions, the brain can function more efficiently resulting in significant symptom improvement and lasting results.
The sessions are non-invasive and last about 45 minutes each. They may be combined with other treatment modalities for best results. The number of sessions needed for optimal results ranges based on age, response to treatment, magnitude of dysregulation in the brain, etc.
When it comes to enhancing your well-being and maximizing results, not all neurofeedback is created equal. Here at Mind Rx Clinic, we pride ourselves on using the gold standard in neurofeedback treatment—19-Channel Z-Score Neurofeedback. Let us explain why this sets us apart from the rest.
While some places may offer neurofeedback with just 1-4 channels, we understand the significance of reaching deeper into your brain’s intricate regions and activity. Our state-of-the-art 19-channel system allows us to do just that. We target those essential areas that other methods may overlook, providing a comprehensive and tailored treatment plan.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition following life-threatening traumatic events. PTSD is characterized by four symptom clusters, namely, re-experiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, general changes in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal (DSM-5). With neurofeedback, patients can unconsciously self-regulate brain activity via real-time monitoring and feedback of the EEG or fMRI signals.
Chiba, T., Kanazawa, T., Koizumi, A., Ide, K., Taschereau-Dumouchel, V., Boku, S., Hishimoto, A., Shirakawa, M., Sora, I., Lau, H., Yoneda, H., & Kawato, M. (2019, July 17). Current status of neurofeedback for post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and the possibility of decoded neurofeedback. Frontiers in human neuroscience. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6650780/
Sensory Motor Rhythm and Slow Cortical Potential neurofeedback have the ability to directly impact the sleep spindle circuit resulting in increased sleep spindle density during sleep. Increased sleep spindle density has been demonstrated to be associated with improved sleep quality, including decreased sleep latency and increased sleep duration.
Arns, M., & Kenemans, J. L. (2014). Neurofeedback in ADHD and insomnia: Vigilance stabilization through sleep spindles and circadian networks. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 44, 183–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.10.006
Meta-analytic results of NF treatment follow-up suggest that there are sustained symptom reductions over time in comparison with non-active control conditions. The improvements seen are comparable to active treatments (including methylphenidate) at a short-term FU of 2–12 months. As such, NF can be considered a non-pharmacological treatment option for ADHD with evidence of treatment effects that are sustained when treatment is completed and withdrawn.
Van Doren, J., Arns, M., Heinrich, H., Vollebregt, M. A., Strehl, U., & Loo, S. K. (2019, March 1). Sustained effects of neurofeedback in ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry; Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-018-1121-4
Many individuals with tinnitus have abnormal oscillatory brain activity. Led by this finding, we have developed a way to normalize such pathological activity by neurofeedback techniques (Weisz et al. (2005). PLoS Med., 2: e153). This is achieved mainly through enhancement of tau activity, i.e., oscillatory activity produced in perisylvian regions within the alpha frequency range (8–12 Hz) and concomitant reduction in delta power range (0.5–4 Hz). This activity is recorded from electrodes placed on the frontal scalp. We have found that modification of the tau-to-delta ratio significantly reduces tinnitus intensity. Participants who successfully modified their oscillatory pattern profited from the treatment to the extent that the tinnitus sensation became completely abolished. Overall, this neurofeedback training was significantly superiorin reducing tinnitus-related distress than frequency discrimination training.
As a whole, and given the generally positive results in the studies reviewed, the findings indicate that NF procedures have the potential for reducing pain and improving other outcomes in individuals with chronic pain. Most of the studies reviewed found significant pre- to post-treatment improvements in pain intensity and/or pain frequency, with some of these improvements being maintained at follow-up (when follow-up was evaluated). Also, most of these studies found significant improvements in other pain-related variables such as fatigue, sleep problems/sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and pain-related interference. NF was also found to enhance the effects of hypnosis for chronic pain management and to reduce the perception of experimentally induced pain in healthy individuals.
Roy, R., de la Vega, R., Jensen, M. P., & Miró, J. (2020). Neurofeedback for Pain Management: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in neuroscience, 14, 671. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00671
The literature regarding neurofeedback treatment of anxiety associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is reviewed. The results of quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG) guided neurofeedback training for anxiety in nineteen PTSD patients is analyzed, along with the change in anxiety in four control patients who did not do neurofeedback. Those who did neurofeedback training experienced clinically significant reductions in anxiety, whereas there was no significant change in anxiety in the control group. QEEG-guided neurofeedback appears to be effective in a higher percentage of patients than non–QEEG-guided training in increasing alpha and theta, based on results in the published literature.
Jonathan E. Walker; Anxiety Associated With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—The Role of Quantitative Electro- encephalograph in Diagnosis and in Guiding Neurofeedback Training to Remediate the Anxiety. Biofeedback 1 June 2009; 37 (2): 67–70. doi: https://doi.org/10.5298/1081-5937-37.2.67
Neurofeedback techniques may be of special interest for adolescent medicine because of the high comorbidity of SUD and ADHD in adolescents. ADHD is often comorbid with other disruptive behavioral disorders such as conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. Techniques that combine classic ADHD neurofeedback approaches with behavioral addiction treatment hold special interest for adolescents with dual diagnosis. They are medication free and thus both minimize opportunities for prescribed medication misuse and diversions and are free of medication side effects. Furthermore, neurofeedback directly acts on the specific brain activity that are known to be altered in SUD and ADHD. By providing low-risk and medication-free therapy for both ADHD and SUD, neurofeedback is an option for practitioners reluctant to prescribe controlled substances to ADHD adolescents at risk for substance abuse.
This was an experimental study of 14 alcoholic outpatients using the Peniston and Kulkosky (1989, 1991) brainwave treatment protocol for alcohol abuse. After temperature biofeedback pretraining, experimental subjects completed 20 40-minute sessions of alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training (BWNT). Experimentally treated alcoholics with depressive syndrome showed sharp reductions in self-assessed depression (Beck’s Depression Inventory). On the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-I, the experimental subjects showed significant decreases on the BR scores: schizoid, avoidant, dependent, histrionic, passive-aggression, schizotypal, borderline, anxiety, somatoform, hypomanic, dysthmic, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, psychotic thinking, and psychotic depression. Twenty-one-month follow-up data indicated sustained prevention of relapse in alcoholics who completed brain wave neurofeedback therapy.
Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms Ellen Saxby, Eugene G. Peniston
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of neurofeedback (NFB) plus pharmacotherapy with pharmacotherapy alone, on addiction severity, mental health, and quality of life in crystal methamphetamine-dependent (CMD) patients. The study included 100 CMD patients undergoing a medical treatment who volunteered for this randomized controlled trial. After being evaluated by a battery of questionnaires that included addiction severity index questionnaire, Symptoms Check List 90 version, and World Health Organization Quality of Life, the participants were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group received thirty 50-min sessions of NFB in addition to their usual medication over a 2-month period; meanwhile, the control group received only their usual medication. In accordance with this study’s pre-test–post-test design, both study groups were evaluated again after completing their respective treatment regimens. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed the experimental group to have lower severity of addiction, better psychological health, and better quality of life in than the control group. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. These finding suggest that NFB can be used to improve the effectiveness of treatment results in CMD patients.
Rostami, R., & Dehghani-Arani, F. (2015, April 19). Neurofeedback Training as a New Method in Treatment of Crystal Methamphetamine Dependent Patients: A Preliminary Study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback; Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-015-9281-1
Considering the effects that anxiety can have on performance, the relationship between anxiety and performance has interested researchers for many years. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Neurofeedback alpha/theta intervention on the anxiety reduction and performance enhancement in young soccer players. To do so, 30 soccer players attending the National Soccer League of Iran were assigned to two experimental (intervention based on alpha/theta Neurofeedback training) and control groups. Athletes in the experimental group received 12 30-minute sessions of Neurofeedback training and the control group did not receive any intervention. Before and after the interventions, Sport Anxiety Scale Questionnaire and Kick Performance Test were used to collect data. MANOVA was used to compare the two groups. The results showed that the improvement of athletic performance scores and reduction of anxiety scale were significant in the experimental group. According to these findings, we concluded that the alpha/theta Neurofeedback training is appropriate to increase athletic performance and decrease the level of sport anxiety.
Zadkhosh, S. M., Gharayagh Zandi, H., & Hemayattalab, R. (2017). The effects of Neurofeedback on Anxiety decrease and Athletic performance Enhancement. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 7(4), 21-37. doi: 10.22059/japr.2017.61078
Arroyo-Ferrer, A., De Noreña, D., Serrano, J., Ríos-Lago, M., & Romero, J. a. P. (2021, June 30). Cognitive rehabilitation in a case of traumatic brain injury using EEG-based neurofeedback in comparison to conventional methods. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience; Imperial College Press. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2002047
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of executive-function training and neuro-feedback on improving normal students’ academic performance. Through a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design with a control group, thirty six male students from the fourth grade of primary school were randomly selected and put into three groups of twelve including 1) executive-function training and neuro-feedback group, 2) executive-function training group, and 3) control group. The two groups of executive function training plus neuro-feedback and mere executive-function training participated in 16 sessions of class trainings of executive functions and the group of executive function training plus neuro-feedback attended in 8 sessions of neuro-feedback training in addition to the previous sessions; the control group remained in the waiting list. The results indicated a significant improvement in academic performance of the students attending the training sessions of executive function relative to those of the control group manifested as with an effect size 0f 0.89 an improvement in total score of educational performance and comparison of the groups indicated the higher significance of academic performance in “executive-function training plus neuro-feedback” group relative to the group utilizing the class training alone. The results of this study suggest that through training the executive functions, it is possible to improve students’ academic performance and these trainings would be more influential and effective in association with neuro-feedback.
Ghiyasi, M., Mashhadi, A., Ghanaei Chaman Abad, A. (2018). ‘The effectiveness of executive-function training and neuro-feedback on improving students’ academic performance’, Journal of School Psychology, 7(2), pp. 177-195. doi: 10.22098/jsp.2018.699
This review provides an updated overview of the neurophysiological rationale, basic and clinical research literature, and current methods of practice pertaining to clinical neurofeedback. It is based on documented findings, rational theory, and the research and clinical experience of the authors. While considering general issues of physiology, learning principles, and methodology, it focuses on the treatment of epilepsy with sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) training, arguably the best established clinical application of EEG operant conditioning. The basic research literature provides ample data to support a very detailed model of the neural generation of SMR, as well as the most likely candidate mechanism underlying its efficacy in clinical treatment. Further, while more controlled clinical trials would be desirable, a respectable literature supports the clinical utility of this alternative treatment for epilepsy. However, the skilled practice of clinical neurofeedback requires a solid understanding of the neurophysiology underlying EEG oscillation, operant learning principles and mechanisms, as well as an in-depth appreciation of the ins and outs of the various hardware/software equipment options open to the practitioner. It is suggested that the best clinical practice includes the systematic mapping of quantitative multi-electrode EEG measures against a normative database before and after treatment to guide the choice of treatment strategy and document progress towards EEG normalization. We conclude that the research literature reviewed in this article justifies the assertion that neurofeedback treatment of epilepsy/seizure disorders constitutes a well-founded and viable alternative to anticonvulsant pharmacotherapy.
Sterman, M., & Egner, T. (2006b). Foundation and Practice of Neurofeedback for the Treatment of Epilepsy. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 31(1), 21–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-006-9002-x
Neural models of major depressive disorder (MDD) posit that over-response of components of the brain’s salience network (SN) to negative stimuli plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of MDD. In the present proof-of-concept study, we tested this formulation directly by examining the affective consequences of training depressed persons to down-regulate response of SN nodes to negative material. Ten participants in the real neurofeedback group saw, and attempted to learn to down-regulate, activity from an empirically identified node of the SN. Ten other participants engaged in an equivalent procedure with the exception that they saw SN-node neurofeedback indices from participants in the real neurofeedback group. Before and after scanning, all participants completed tasks assessing emotional responses to negative scenes and to negative and positive self-descriptive adjectives. Compared to participants in the sham-neurofeedback group, from pre- to post-training, participants in the real-neurofeedback group showed a greater decrease in SN-node response to negative stimuli, a greater decrease in self-reported emotional response to negative scenes, and a greater decrease in self-reported emotional response to negative self-descriptive adjectives. Our findings provide support for a neural formulation in which the SN plays a primary role in contributing to negative cognitive biases in MDD.
Hamilton, J. H., Glover, G. H., Bagarinao, E., Chang, C., Mackey, S., Sacchet, M. D., & Gotlib, I. H. (2016, March 30). Effects of salience-network-node neurofeedback training on affective biases in major depressive disorder. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging; Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.01.016
We suggest that the majority of psychopathology related to early life stress represents an allostatic equilibrium achieved by the autonomic nervous system organizing around threat states. Recent findings in the field of neurofeedback implicate alpha waves as a potential key to helping treat individuals who have been affected by early life stress. Neurofeedback may represent a novel treatment approach to engender changes within the autonomic nervous system in helping to achieve a homeostatic equilibrium. Alpha downtrain neurofeedback may represent a “nudge” for a stuck nervous system that acts as a precursor to increase the efficacy of other training protocols and more traditional talk therapy techniques.
Gapen, M., & Guy, T. (2021, June 1). Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Early Life Stress: a “Nudge” for the Nervous System? Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry; Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-021-00243-1
The results showed clinically significant improvement regarding the accuracy and comprehension reading as well as spelling after NFT. Reliable changes (P<0.05) and the effect size above the effective surface (Cohen’s d>2.87) refer to significant improvement of these skills. However speed reading increased in two subjects, but the effect size for the first and second participant was negative (Cohen’s d<0). The results suggest that 20 sessions of NFT improves the spelling, accuracy, and comprehension reading. It seems that the increased attention (due to the reduction of theta and delta waves) and performance tuning at T3 was effective in improving these skills. However, increase in speed reading may require more sessions.
Raesi S, Dadgar H, Soleymani Z, Hajjeforoush V. Efficacy of Neurofeedback Training on Reading and Spelling Skills of 8 to 12 Years Old Children With Dyslexia. jmr. 2016;10(4):177-184.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. In quantified EEG (qEEG), the AD patients have a greater amount of theta activity compared with normal elderly individuals. Little is known about the effect of neurofeedback in patients with dementia. The objective of this study was to examine whether neurofeedback has a positive effect on cognitive performance in patients with AD. Patients with AD who received neurofeedback treatment had stable or improved cognitive performance. Future research should focus on the design of high quality randomized controlled trials to assess whether neurofeedback has a place in the treatment of AD.
Luijmes, R. E., Pouwels, S., & Boonman, J. (2016, June 1). The effectiveness of neurofeedback on cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: Preliminary results. Neurophysiologie Clinique-clinical Neurophysiology; Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2016.05.069
Recent studies have shown that working memory (WM) performance can be improved by intensive and adaptive computerized training. Here, we explored the WM training effect using Electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback (NF) in normal young adults. In the first study, we identified the EEG features related to WM in normal young adults. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the power ratio of the theta-to-alpha rhythms in the anterior-parietal region, accurately classified a high percentage of the EEG trials recorded during WM and fixation control (FC) tasks. Based on these results, a second study aimed to assess the training effects of the theta-to-alpha ratio and tested the hypothesis that up-regulating the power ratio can improve working memory behavior. Our results demonstrated that these normal young adults succeeded in improving their WM performance with EEG NF, and the pre- and post-test evaluations also indicated that WM performance increase in experimental group was significantly greater than control groups. In summary, our findings provided preliminarily evidence that WM performance can be improved through learned regulation of the EEG power ratio using EEG NF.
Xiong, Shi et al. ‘Working Memory Training Using EEG Neurofeedback in Normal Young Adults’. 1 Jan. 2014 : 3637 – 3644.
Neurofeedback training (NFT) is an effective intervention in regulating electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities leading to improvements in behavioral deficits, which exist in children with reading disabilities. This single-subject study explores our evaluation of the improvements in the reading ability and phonological awareness deficit, as well as the changes in the EEG in children with reading disabilities as a result of NFT. Participants were 6 children, aged between 8 and 10 years, who completed twenty 30-minute sessions of NFT and follow-up measurement sessions 2 months subsequent to the completion of the training sessions. The results showed significant improvement in reading and phonological awareness skills.
Nazari, M. A., Mosanezhad, E., Hashemi, T., & Jahan, A. (2012, November 26). The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Training on EEG Coherence and Neuropsychological Functions in Children With Reading Disability. Clinical Eeg and Neuroscience; SAGE Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1177/1550059412451880
Neurofeedback is a biofeedback training of electroencephalogram (EEG) activity through operant conditioning where an individual is trained to increase or inhibit the brain activity in specific frequency ranges. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy to reduce inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with the mostly used training protocols on modulation of θ/β ratio. Given the comorbidity and common cognitive deficits between ADHD and developmental dyslexia, this study aimed to explore the effects of θ/β neurofeedback on cognitive deficits in Chinese dyslexic children. In the present case study, a multiple-baseline design was adopted, and the effects of training were investigated from both neurophysiological and neuropsychological levels. Four dyslexic children completed 10 weekly sessions of θ suppression and β enhancement neurofeedback training in the sensorimotor cortex. Pre- and post-assessments consisted of neurophysiological measures, neuropsychological assessments, and parental reports. Neurofeedback training reduced θ/β ratios in all participants. All participants also improved in measures of auditory vigilance and phonological awareness.
Au, A., Ho, G., & Choi, E. (2013, July 10). Does it help to train attention in dyslexic children: pilot case studies with a ten-session neurofeedback program. International Journal on Disability and Human Development. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijdhd-2013-0005/html?lang=de
NF showed over 20% improvement in motor skill through neurofeedback training alone, without any additional PT. We also showed retention of improvement in skill for several days after the completion of NF training. Our proposed methodology shows promise for a highly individualized approach towards improvement in motor skill. Given that EEG is an accessible health and wellness technology, such a method could provide a practical complementary option towards personalized therapeutic strategies to improve motor function.
N. Riahi, W. Ruth, R. C. N. D’Arcy and C. Menon, “A Method for Using Neurofeedback to Guide Mental Imagery for Improving Motor Skill,” in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, vol. 31, pp. 130-138, 2023, doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2022.3218514.
Neurofeedback training resulted in a 26% average reduction in total ATEC rated autism symptoms, compared to 3% for the control group. Parental assessments reported improvement in all behavioral categories: socialization, vocalization, anxiety, schoolwork, tantrums, and sleep, compared with minimal changes in the control group. Autistic spectrum children who underwent neurofeedback training showed significant improvements in autism symptoms and behaviors. The magnitude of improvement was independent of initial severity or age.
(2002) Efficacy of Neurofeedback for Children in the Autistic Spectrum: A Pilot Study, Journal of Neurotherapy, 6:4, 39-49, DOI: 10.1300/J184v06n04_05
