How does NEUROFEEDBACK work?
NEUROFEEDBACK is Brain Exercise. The child increases the strength of selected
brain regions by turning the NEUROFEEDBACK device on and off. This exercise
helps the brain grow and develop. According to a review in Child and Adolescent
Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Jan. 2005, EEG Biofeedback
(NEUROFEEDBACK) meets the American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry’s criteria for a ranking as “CLINICAL STANDARD” in the treatment of
ADHD. This is the same rank that stimulant medications such as RITALIN® meet
for ADHD. The authors also suggest a role for EEG Biofeedback in treating
Learning Disorders, anxiety, depression and seizures.
Recent studies published in Neuroscience Letters (2006) showed increased brain
function after a course of Neurofeedback training. The Neurofeedback,”
normalized the functioning,” of brain regions critical to attention.
Unlike stimulants, NEUROFEEDBACK training appears to have a long-term effect
on increasing the child's ability to remain focused and spend extended periods of
time concentrating in a problem-solving manner. There is a significant decreased
in tuning out when the child is carrying out an assignment or listening in class. In
addition, NEUROFEEDBACK appears to have a similar effect to stimulants in that it
increases the child's "natural guards" to inhibit or avoid impulsive actions.
Children already taking medication can continue while training, however, most find
that they can gradually reduce the dosage as self-regulation is mastered. |
