NeurOptimal^® Research

Six AD/HD elementary school students completed 19 hours of neurofeedback training over six months averaging 45 sessions. Five of the six students measurably improved in parent/teacher report and/or objective data relatively congruent with QEEG analysis. Improvement seemed related to lower theta/beta ratios. This comprehensive adaptive approach is theoretically based upon restoring neurological flexibility and resilience, allowing circadian rhythms to renormalize and functionality to emerge (Brown, 2002).

This paper evaluates the impact of neurofeedback training on ADHD. Throughout the years, many researchers have tried to assess the impact of neurofeedback training on ADHD; however, studies have suffered from shortcomings in the methodological application and a lack of proper control groups. This study aims to address some of the aforementioned concerns. Questions addressed in this study include: (a) Is neurofeedback an effective intervention for ADHD? (b) Will participants significantly improve their symptoms with the combination of neurofeedback training and treatment as usual? I hypothesized the addition of neurofeedback training would yield more favorable results in reducing symptoms of ADHD, such as impulsivity, attention, and hyperactivity, than pharmacological treatment alone in adolescents 11–17 years old.

Many college students struggle with symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that might affect their academic performance and overall well-being. This study sought to investigate the effects of a neurofeedback (NF) training protocol on college students’ ADHD symptoms scores. Eleven college students with ADHD diagnoses were provided 16 sessions of NF and were assessed over the course of 8 weeks during the intervention as well as at a 4-week follow-up. Improvements were identified in levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and ADHD self-concept, over time, with no significant changes identified in impulsivity.

College students diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and lower academic self-efficacy as compared to college students not diagnosed with ADHD. Additionally, college students with ADHD diagnoses struggle to obtain effective treatment options for their ADHD symptoms. Specifically, pharmacological interventions are effective in mitigating ADHD symptoms; however, adverse effects of stimulant medications (i.e., increased/decreased appetite, headache) impact medication adherence in college students with ADHD. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, drug-free intervention that uses the theories of biofeedback and cybernetics to increase self-regulation of brain functions. The purpose of this dissertation study was to examine differences in college student participants’ scores on inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, self-concept, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy measures over time when exposed to the neurofeedback intervention. The researcher employed a quasi-experimental, one group, time series design to explore differences in levels of symptomology in 11 participants over four assessment points. The results identified participants’ scores in inattention (p = .016), hyperactivity (p = .017), self-concept (p = .008), depression (p = .004), and anxiety (p = .018) significantly decreased of the course of the intervention (16 neurofeedback sessions). Moreover, the participants’ self-reported levels of academic self-efficacy increased significantly over time (p < .001). The findings for the current study provide practical, professional, and public policy implications, expanding the neurofeedback training and ADHD literature.

College students experience high levels of anxiety and stress, resulting in academic, interpersonal, and functional challenges. Despite awareness of anxiety and stress amongst students, universities and colleges fail to meet their mental health needs. Neurofeedback (NFB) training, a noninvasive approach designed to regulate brain processes to mitigate anxiety and stress-based symptoms, is an innovative option to help college students. A pre-posttest control group quasi-experimental design was implemented to measure whether a treatment group reported differences in anxiety and stress (as measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI], Perceived Stress Scale [PSS], and Social Anxiety Thought [SAT] questionnaire) as compared to a waitlist control group. Results indicated significant decreases in SAT and PSS scores between groups, with no significant difference for BAI scores. Additionally, no significant differences were found over time between groups, regardless of gender. Limitations and future recommendations are explored.

The article introduces a model integrating psychoanalytic psychotherapy with neurofeedback, in a case of performance anxiety in a professional musician. The author uses a neurofeedback approach that is comprehensive and adaptive, emphasizing a renormalizing of brainwaves, rather than producing specific states or shifts in particular bandwidths in the EEG. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is used to address the musician’s history of traumatic loss. The case is outlined, and improvements are described in terms of optimized musical performance and improved coping under pressure.

ABSTRACT Operant conditioning of the electroencephalographic rhythm (EEG biofeedback) is argued to be an effective method for treating children with ADHD. This study was designed to evaluate whether this method, compared to methylphenidate, achieves an equally effective outcome. Participants were 39 children aged between 7 – 12 years. Thirteen children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were trained to enhance the amplitude of the beta1 activity (15 – 18 Hz) and decrease the amplitude of the theta activity (4 – 8 Hz), and 13 of which were treated with methylphenidate alone. Thirteen healthy children did not receive intervention. Several behavioral, neuropsychological and experimental tests were administered before and after intervention. While behavioral measures were improved by both types of method, methylphenidate was significantly more effective than EEG biofeedback. Response inhibition was improved only EEG biofeedback. Both EEG biofeedback and methylphenidate were associated with improvements on the variability and accuracy measures of computerized tests. Intellectual ability increased also by both methods. Although averaged effect size for methylphenidate seems to be greater than for EEG biofeedback, the difference was not significant. In conjunction with other studies, these findings demonstrate that EEG biofeedback can significantly improve several behavioral and cognitive functions in children with ADHD, and it might be an alternative treatment for non-responders or incomplete responders to medication as well as for those their parents favor a non-pharmacological treatment

A trio of case studies, protocols and progress a cognitive rehabilitation clinic focusing on the use of neurofeedback and assistive therapies to promote increased neuroactivity and processing in all people: 1. 24 year old boy with Concussive Syndrome 2. 68 year old woman with primary ischemic stroke 3. 30 month old girl with a rare chromosomal disorder

A trio of case studies, protocols and progress a cognitive rehabilitation clinic focusing on the use of neurofeedback and assistive therapies to promote increased neuroactivity and processing in all people:
1. 24 year old boy with Concussive Syndrome
2. 68 year old woman with primary ischemic stroke
3. 30 month old girl with a rare chromosomal disorder

Frequently used treaatments for autism focus on treating and ameliorating the symptoms- particularily the behavioral and social deficits- of the people with austism or austisic spectrum disorders. Neurocognitive processing, by contrast, is an emerging treatment methodolgy combining neurofeedback and cognitive rehabilitatiioin therapy that targets brain dysregultation as a core deficit in autism (DeLong 2002). Returning the brain to a regulated state reduces stress and supports optimal conditions for learning. .

Neurofeedback therapy (NFT) has been used within a number of populations however it has not been applied or thoroughly examined as a form of cognitive rehabilitation within a stroke population. Objectives for this systematic review included: i) identifying how NFT is utilized to treat cognitive deficits following stroke, ii) examining the strength and quality of evidence to support the use of NFT as a form of cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) and iii) providing recommendations for future investigations. Searches were conducted using OVID (Medline, Health Star, Embase + Embase Classic) and PubMed databases. Additional searches were completed using the Cochrane Reviews library database, Google Scholar, the University of Toronto online library catalogue, ClinicalTrials.gov website and select journals. Searches were completed Feb/March 2015 and updated in June/July/Aug 2015. Eight studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they: i) were specific to a stroke population, ii) delivered CRT via a NFT protocol, iii) included participants who were affected by a cognitive deficit(s) following stroke (i.e. memory loss, loss of executive function, speech impairment etc.). NFT protocols were highly specific and varied within each study. The majority of studies identified improvements in participant cognitive deficits following the initiation of therapy. Reviewers assessed study quality using the Downs and Black Checklist for Measuring Study Quality tool; limited study quality and strength of evidence restricted generalizability of conclusions regarding the use of this therapy to the greater stroke population. Progression in this field requires further inquiry to strengthen methodology quality and study design. Future investigations should aim to standardize NFT protocols in an effort to understand the dose-response relationship between NFT and improvements in functional outcome. Future investigations should also place a large emphasis on long-term participant follow-up.

We have evaluated whether NeurOptimal® training could modulate brain activities at pre (PRE) and post-training (POST) during 10 NeurOptimal® (NO) sessions in healthy participants with (n=13) and without Origanum majorana (n=13) stimulation. This essential oil has been impregnated on their nasal filters during all training sessions in (n=26, healthy volunteers; 13 participants that were stimulated with Origanum majorana stimulated with this essential oil as compare with 13 participants without exposure to this odor). Divergence (DIV) reflects the efficacy of NO training on cerebral activity in healthy volunteers with//without Origanum majorana essential oil stimulation during all NO learning sessions in a dental clinic. DIV is the difference of total brain activity reached at Prelearning (PRE) minus Post-training (POST) values. As consequence of NO overtraining, Origanum majorana induces fluctuation on brain activity in these healthy participants. In fact, higher divergences suggest the information has not been integrated at that specific learning session yet. Conversely, negative divergences or values close to zero indicate the information is being integrated at certain moment during NO training. In addition, Origanum majorana stimulation reduces VAS (Visual Analog Scale) scores after NeurOptimal® training as compare to participants non expose to this odor. Thus, Origanum majorana essential oil could induce desired changes on cerebral activity and also reduces variations on brain activities

FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) has a profound impact on both the child and the family. In this pilot study, NeurOptimal® was provided for both child &amp; family members. Standard measures and FMRI were used to assess results.

The technology supports the highly intuitive and sensitive child’s transition to more consistent reactions. No Performance pressure No Judgment Enjoyment rather than pressure to change Supportive of here and now.

Background. Many cancer survivors continue to experience ongoing symptoms, such as fatigue and cognitive impairment, which are poorly managed and have few effective, evidence-based treatment options. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive, drug-free form of brain training that may alleviate long-term symptoms reported by cancer patients. Objective. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to describe the effectiveness and safety of neurofeedback for managing fatigue and cognitive impairment. Methods. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. A comprehensive search of 5 databases was conducted: Medline, CINAHL, AMED, PsycInfo, and Embase. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, controlled before and after studies, cohort, case control studies, and descriptive studies were included in this review. Results. Twenty-seven relevant studies were included in the critical appraisals. The quality of most studies was poor to moderate based on the JBI critical appraisal checklists. Seventeen studies were deemed of sufficient quality to be included in the review: 10 experimental studies and 7 descriptive studies. Of these, only 2 were rated as high-quality studies and the remaining were rated as moderate quality. All 17 included studies reported positive results for at least one fatigue or cognitive outcome in a variety of populations, including 1 study with breast cancer survivors. Neurofeedback interventions were well tolerated with only 3 studies reporting any side effects. Conclusions. Despite issues with methodological quality, the overall positive findings and few reported side effects suggest neurofeedback could be helpful in alleviating fatigue and cognitive impairment. Currently, there is insufficient evidence that neurofeedback is an effective therapy for management of these symptoms in cancer survivors, however, these promising results support the need for further research with this patient population. More information about which neurofeedback technologies, approaches, and protocols could be successfully used with cancer survivors and with minimal side effects is needed. This research will have significance to nurses and physicians in oncology and primary care settings who provide follow-up care and counseling to cancer survivors experiencing debilitating symptoms in order to provide information and education related to evidence-based therapy options.

The immediate purpose of this article is to describe the burden school-based SLPs are encountering with the caseload vs workload model and to provide insight into how accessing technology can reduce workload demands. The aim of this article is to enable school-based SLPs to see (1) how easy technology is to implement as a data collection tool (2) how the benefits of accessing a technology based data collection tool outweigh more traditional systems and save time, (3) how one technology based tool can be used to collect and graph data simultaneously and (4) the importance of having easy access to visual representations of data for parent communication

Conventional treatment for individuals with histories of sexual offending has typically involved the facilitation of cognitive-behavioral interventions. Recent research related to this form of intervention has raised concerns about its effectiveness. Neurofeedback has been found to be a beneficial form of treatment for a range of clinical presentations internationally. Despite this, its use in the UK has thus far been limited. Based on the theoretical literature related to sexual offending, as well as findings that Neurofeedback can be beneficial for people who experience problems resulting from trauma, emotional instability, harmful behaviors toward others, those with developmental disorders, and for those who have struggled to engage with and/or benefit from talking therapies. Neurofeedback was carried out with an individual in a UK-based secure mental health setting. This individual, referred to as John in the current study, presented to services with an Autism Spectrum Condition, mild Intellectual Disability and a diagnosis of pedophilia, as well as a history of sexual offending against children and vulnerable adults. John had engaged in many treatment programs over many years with little evidence of significant benefit. Psychometric measures as well as qualitative feedback was used to evaluate any change experienced by John following Neurofeedback and the use of the Reliable Change Index revealed significant improvements in relation to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive type patterns of responding, child sexual arousal, sexual compulsivity, and sexual preoccupation. Whilst our findings are modest they do provide tentative support for the use of Neurofeedback for people with similar presenting difficulties to John and those in similar circumstances. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

Cancer survivors may experience persistent physical and psychological symptoms following completion of cancer treatment. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive form of brain training reported to help with symptoms including pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and cognitive decline; however, there is a lack of research exploring its use with cancer survivors. The objective of this study was to describe the experiences of neurofeedback and its impact on the lives of posttreatment cancer survivors as perceived by neurofeedback providers and cancer survivor clients.

Neurofeedback is a drug-free form of brain training reported to help with a variety of conditions including pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and cognitive decline. This cross-sectional descriptive study explored the use of neurofeedback by cancer survivors to manage long-term symptoms, and aimed to identify safe, effective neurofeedback protocols for this population.

Introduction: Extrinsic constraints determine how much; Telomere shortening has become a measure of biological aging; Shorter telomeres = greater biological age, propensity for DNA damage; DNA testing now brings numbers for this

The CNS is primarily designed for two purposes: To detect differences and to reduce its own discomfort

In 1970 I had a vision of what brain training could be in the future: a simple, powerful, and safe way to self-optimize that is so easy and intuitive that anyone can use it. NeurOptimal version 3 is that elegant vision and it’s here now From https://neuroptimal.com/no3-landing-page April 17, 2018. Why am I starting with this? Because that vision has animated all of my work, as well as the work my wife, Susan Brown, Ph.D., and I did to co-develop NeurOptimal. That work has now been determined by the FDA to involve a General Wellness Product, and that means anyone can use it –no special training, knowledge, expertise, certification of licensure required or needed. This orientation has been one of the most distinct contributions I have made, and it brought enormous animosity from many others in the field of neurofeedback.  So what went into developing our “Dynamical Neurofeedback, and what makes it so different from every other approach to neurofeedback? And, I emphasize here that my specific contributions did couple with Dr. Susan Brown’s work with the evolving system.

Nonlinear dynamic neurofeedback: a new approach to the treatment of tinnitus by cerebral neuromodulation. ALDO MESSINA, GIORGIO RAPONI, MARIANNA FRANCO, MICHELA MARIA DI NARDO We provide the preliminary results of our multi-center research Palermo-Milan which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a new therapeutic tool useful for patients suffering from tinnitus, the Non-Linear Dynamic Neurofeedback. This results in a neuromodulation of brain electrical activity, which we hypothesize is able to improve the perception of tinnitus and the psychophysical symptoms related to it. It is a kind of training that allows the brain to self-regulate its activity by optimizing it. To evaluate its effectiveness we are subjecting voluntary patients, diagnosed with tinnitus, to a series of Non-linear Dynamic Neurofeedback sessions, and we are collecting data from audiometric measurements and self-assessment questionnaires concerning the handicap caused by tinnitus, the level of pathological worry, depression, anxiety, stress and sleep quality. The results that we illustrate, even if to be verified on a larger sample, are promising and seem to confirm the peculiar characteristic of this technique, which is based on the cardinal principles of cerebral activity, selfregulation, neuroplasticity and learning

Scientific and popular lore have promulgated a connection between emotion and the limbic forebrain. However, there are a variety of structures that are considered limbic, and disagreement as to what is meant by “emotion”. This essay traces the initial studies upon which the connection between emotion and the limbic forebrain was based and how subsequent experimental evidence led to confusion both with regard to brain systems and to the behaviors examined. In the process of sorting out the bases of the confusion the following rough outlines are sketched: 1) Motivation and emotion need to be distinguished. 2) Motivation and emotion are processed by the basal ganglia; motivation by the striatum and related structures, emotion by limbic basal ganglia: the amygdala and related structures. 3) The striatum processes activation of readiness, both behavioral and perceptual; the amygdala processes arousal, an intensive dimension that varies from interest to panic. 4) Activation of readiness deals with “what to do?” Arousal deals with novelty, with “what is it?” 5) Thus both motivation and emotion are the proactive aspects of representations, of memory: motivation, an activation of readiness; emotion, a processing of novelty, a departure from the familiar. 6) The hippocampal-cingulate circuit deals with efficiently relating emotion and motivation by establishing dispositions, attitudes. 7) The prefrontal cortex fine-tunes motivation, emotion and attitude when choices among complex or ambiguous circumstances are made

A trio of case studies, protocols and progress: 1. 24 year old boy with Concussive Syndrome 2. 68 year old woman with primary ischemic stroke 3. 30 month old girl with a rare chromosomal disorder; a cognitive rehabilitation clinic focusing on the use of neurofeedback and assistive therapies to promote increased neuroactivity and processing in all people.

This is a case study using clinical, NeurOptimal® baseline and anecdotal data. Dr. Lartin’s 22 year old son Brian survived a life-threatening TBI in April of 2012 and had more than 70 sessions of NeurOptimal® in a year. The contribution of NeurOptimal® to his recovery is discussed. Brian made an essentially complete recovery.

EEG Biofeedback In EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback), a real-time display of the brain’s electrical activity, fed back as visual or auditory information, enables the user to modify that brainwave activity. In a 2010 keynote address to the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research, Doidge23 suggested that the misperception that the adult brain was fixed and unchangeable “led scientists to doubt the claims made by the pioneers of neurofeedback.”23 Only with the discovery of neuroplasticity did the work of neurofeedback investigators and clinicians begin to find acceptance among other researchers. Still, for some time, there existed limited evidence as to whether EEG biofeedback directly affects neuroplasticity, resulting in ongoing skepticism about its potential as a restorative therapeutic modality. However, several recent studies utilizing transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have demonstrated objective, temporally direct changes in cortical activation and connectivity as a result of neurofeedback.24,25

The most effective treatment for chronic insomnia is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Though effective over the long term, CBT requires specialized training in behavioral sleep medicine therapies. Early neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) training protocols have been shown to be effective therapy for insomnia (Hauri et al 1982). This training involves the use of real-time, processed electroencephalographic (EEG) activity for feedback to subjects for gradually reducing hyperarousability evident in the EEG. In this pilot study we evaluated the efficacy of a simple but comprehensive neurofeedback training protocol in chronic insomniacs in our Center. Our design utilized a retrospective analysis of clinical data to assess benefit of this training in a real world clinic population

How NeurOptimal^® potentially interfaces with, and restores, natural sleep rhythms. New evidence mapping cellular networks underlying the brain’s circadian timing nucleus has provided a potential locus of control for the human circadian rhythm (HCR). This network provides a biologically plausible regulatory site for external influence of the HCR-notably pharmacologic agents, environmental influence, and particularly salient to this presentation, NeurOptimal®.

This preliminary study examined the effects of 16 neurofeedback (NF) sessions on levels of depression , anxiety, and academic self-efficacy in college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The results suggest that NF is a viable option for alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as improving academic self-efficacy in college students with ADHD.

Conventional treatment for individuals with histories of sexual offending has typically involved the facilitation of cognitive-behavioral interventions. Recent research related to this form of intervention has raised concerns about its effectiveness. Neurofeedback has been found to be a beneficial form of treatment for a range of clinical presentations internationally. Despite this, its use in the UK has thus far been limited. Based on the theoretical literature related to sexual offending, as well as findings that Neurofeedback can be beneficial for people who experience problems resulting from trauma, emotional instability, harmful behaviors toward others, those with developmental disorders, and for those who have struggled to engage with and/or benefit from talking therapies. Neurofeedback was carried out with an individual in a UK-based secure mental health setting. This individual, referred to as John in the current study, presented to services with an Autism Spectrum Condition, mild Intellectual Disability and a diagnosis of pedophilia, as well as a history of sexual offending against children and vulnerable adults. John had engaged in many treatment programs over many years with little evidence of significant benefit. Psychometric measures as well as qualitative feedback was used to evaluate any change experienced by John following Neurofeedback and the use of the Reliable Change Index revealed significant improvements in relation to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive type patterns of responding, child sexual arousal, sexual compulsivity, and sexual preoccupation. Whilst our findings are modest they do provide tentative support for the use of Neurofeedback for people with similar presenting difficulties to John and those in similar circumstances. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

Operant conditioning of the electroencephalographic rhythm (EEG biofeedback) is argued to be an effective method for treating children with ADHD. This study was designed to evaluate whether this method, compared to methylphenidate, achieves an equally effective outcome. Participants were 39 children aged between 7 – 12 years. Thirteen children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were trained to enhance the amplitude of the beta1 activity (15 – 18 Hz) and decrease the amplitude of the theta activity (4 – 8 Hz), and 13 of which were treated with methylphenidate alone.Thirteen healthy children did not receive intervention. Several behavioral, neuropsychological and experimental tests were administered before and after intervention. While behavioral measures were improved by both types of method, methylphenidate was significantly more effective than EEG biofeedback. Response inhibition was improved only EEG biofeedback. Both EEG biofeedback and methylphenidate were associated with improvements on the variability and accuracy measures of computerized tests. Intellectual ability increased also by both methods. Although averaged effect size for methylphenidate seems to be greater than for EEG biofeedback, the difference was not significant. In conjunction with other studies, these findings demonstrate that EEG biofeedback can significantly improve several behavioral and cognitive functions in children with ADHD, and it might be an alternative treatment for non-responders or incomplete responders to medication as well as for those their parents favor a non-pharmacological treatment.

Sixteen breast cancer survivors with persistent cognitive impairment and fatigue completed 20 sessions of neurofeedback and reported statistically significant improvements in perceived cognition and fatigue levels. These results support the need for further trials of various neurofeedback protocols in different populations of cancer survivors to manage debilitating symptoms.

La fatigue et les troubles cognitifs qui se manifestent après un cancer sont des effets indésirables qui, souvent, perdurent après les traitements et nuisent à la qualité de vie. L’étude vise à évaluer la faisabilité du neurofeedback et ses effets sur le fonctionnement cognitif et la fatigue des survivants du cancer, particulièrement la faisabilité des stratégies de recrutement, du protocole de recherche et des mesures de résultats.

Neurofeedback (NF) or electroencephalogram (EEG)-Biofeedback is a drug-free form of brain training to directly alter the underlying neural mechanisms of cognition and behavior. It is a technique that measures a subject’s EEG signal, processes it in real time, with the goal to enable a behavioral modification by modulating brain activity. The most common application of the NF technology is in epilepsies, migraine, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, affective disorders, and psychotic disorders. Few studies have investigated the use of NF in context of psychosomatic illnesses. Little is known about the use in cancer patients or postcancer survivors despite the high number of this patient group. Objectives: We here provide a systematic review of the use and effect of NF on symptoms and burden in cancer patients and long-term cancer survivors. Methods: In conducting this systematic review, we followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Results: Our search resulted in only 3 experimental studies, 1 observational study, and 2 case reports. Given the heterogeneity of the intervention systems and protocols, no meta-analysis was conducted. Conclusion: Altogether, there is initial evidence that NF is a complementary, drug-free, and noninvasive therapy that has the potential to ameliorate symptoms in this patient group, such as pain, fatigue, depression, and sleep. Further studies are highly needed.

Postcancer cognitive impairment (PCCI) and fatigue are adverse effects that often persist following cancer treatment, and impact quality of life. The study purpose was to evaluate feasibility and effect of neurofeedback on cognitive functioning and fatigue in cancer survivors. Specifically, we aimed to test feasibility of recruitment strategies and our study protocol including outcome measures

Someone dear to you, someone you deeply care about, has fallen through the cracks in the mental health system.  The medical system has not been able to interrupt a downward spiral in the person’s life. If you are interested in how one person in a family might respond differently in a crisis, you may be interested in this story of how an older sister learns to manage self-using family systems theory and NeurOptimal®. It is a story of learning to be more aware and objective about mental illness and how thoughtful relationships changing, throughout the family, can make a tremendous difference in enabling better functioning (for everyone, not just the symptomatic one). Overall it is a story of how one begins to redirect anxiety in a system.

Los profesionales de la salud mental y médica reconocen que las reacciones de estrés y la ansiedad juegan un papel en el desarrollo de los síntomas físicos y psiquiátricos. Sin embargo, a menudo los profesionales no pueden explicar la amplia variedad en la severidad y duración de los síntomas, sus distintas combinaciones, ya sea dentro de la persona o dentro de la familia, y a la manera en la que los síntomas cambian a lo largo del tiempo. Los profesionales tampoco pueden explicar claramente la variedad de respuestas que los individuos y las familias tienen frente al tratamiento. La teoría familiar sistemática de Bowen provee un lente más amplio a través del cuál observar la interacción de los factores que intervienen en el surgimiento y desarrollo de los síntomas, así como de los factores que intervienen en las distintas respuestas al tratamiento. Este artículo explica los síntomas desde la perspectiva de los sistemas naturales y ofrece un resumen de la investigación neurocientífica sobre el estrés, que ayuda a comprenderlos. También este artículo presenta un caso a manera de ilustración.

NeurOptimal® neurofeedback is designed to interface with the nervous system as a Non-Linear Complex Dynamical System, whereas traditional ‘evidence based’ research tends to measure linearly. Therefore, it seems reasonable to measure outcomes because that’s what prospective clients and referral sources really want to know. Since NeurOptimal® is training at the source of complaints, the nervous system’s turbulence, rather than treating diagnostic categories, it also seemed reasonable to look at outcomes across diagnostic categories rather than try to compare medically defined groups where fallible diagnostic judgments create more issues.

This qualitative, practice based study explores individuals’ processes of change through the lived experience of a comprehensive approach to Neurofeedback Training (NFT) received in the context of psychotherapy. The specific focus of this research examines the reported effects clients attributed to Neurofeedback Training during the course of the training and beyond. The NFT system operates through an applied nonlinear dynamical systems approach, representing a paradigm shift of significant advance beyond the operant conditioning models. User friendly and client guided, the system’s operation requires no pre-assessment or diagnostic protocols. This approach to NFT and psychotherapy presents a unique and unexamined process of change based on our human ability to selforganize and self-regulate provided needed information. Some leading historical, theoretical and philosophical antecedent idea strands contributing to the development of nonlinear dynamical systems and its application to psychotherapy and NFT receive coverage.

This case study demonstrates how neurofeedback 2 can be used to assist people in their efforts to decrease chronic anxiety and to better operationalize differentiation of self. Unlike more traditional consultation using Bowen theory, the consultation process described below involved the use of neurofeedback, which can potentially enhance a person’s ability to resolve chronic anxiety. In essence, neurofeedback refl ects patterns in the individual brain that have developed in the family of origin in preceding generations. This multigenerational process simply lives in one’s being, becoming a part of “self ”—from synapses to sentences. Given the way this process shapes every aspect of a person’s development and organization, it comes as no surprise that the effort to manage one’s reactivity is indeed challenging.

This is the third in a series of special issues on the use of biofeedback, neurofeedback, and related interventions in optimal performance (spring 2011, fall 2011, and spring 2012). (AAPB members will find the previous issues available online through the AAPB Web site.) Earlier issues focused to a great extent on sports, including Olympic winners, and artists, with a few extensions to everyday life. In this issue, the emphasis is that optimal performance is a paradigm and an approach applicable in almost any setting. Biofeedback is an effective tool to help humans discover unrealized potential.

For sport neuroscience and psychophysiology researchers and practitioners, deciding what instrumentation to use can be challenging. To help keep up with the proliferation of neuropsychophysiological monitoring devices that range from basic consumer to advanced research grade systems, a select review of psychophysiological/neuroscience monitoring equipment that is available for purchase is presented. We have primarily featured systems that are used to monitor cardiac and brain activity. While the listed companies may manufacture a number of systems with differing capabilities, we only included one device per manufacturer that we deemed to be the most advanced and useful for the field of applied sport neuroscience and psychophysiology (applied practice &amp; research). Instrumentation that is ambulatory and capable of wireless on-the playing-field recording is specified. Additional information on the presented systems can be obtained on the manufacturer’s website or via e-mail.

This review paper deals with methodological and technical foundations of the Operational Architectonics
framework of brain and mind functioning. This theory provides a framework for mapping and understanding important aspects of the brain mechanisms that constitute perception, cognition, and eventually consciousness. The methods utilized within Operational Architectonics framework allow analyzing with an incredible detail the operational behaviour of local neuronal assemblies and their joint activity in the form of unified and metastable operational modules, which constitute the whole hierarchy of brain operations, operations of cognition and phenomenal consciousness.

Postcancer cognitive impairment (PCCI) is observed in a substantial number of breast cancer survivors, persisting for as long as 20 years in some subgroups. Although compensatory strategies are frequently suggested, no restorative interventions have yet been identified. This study examined the feasibility of EEG biofeedback (“neurofeedback”) and its potential effectiveness in reducing PCCI as well as the fatigue, sleep disturbance, and psychological symptoms that frequently accompany PCCI.

For sport neuroscience and psychophysiology researchers and practitioners, deciding what instrumentation to use can be challenging. To help keep up with the proliferation of neuropsychophysiological monitoring devices that range from basic consumer to advanced research grade systems, a select review of psychophysiological/neuroscience monitoring equipment that is available for purchase is presented. We have primarily featured systems that are used to monitor cardiac and brain activity. While the listed companies may manufacture a number of systems with differing capabilities, we only included one device per manufacturer that we deemed to be the most advanced and useful for the field of applied sport neuroscience and psychophysiology (applied practice & research). Instrumentation that is ambulatory and capable of wireless on-the playing-field recording is specified. Additional information on the presented systems can be obtained on the manufacturer’s website or via e-mail.

ABSTRACT
Conventional treatment for individuals with histories of sexual offending has typically involved the facilitation of cognitive-behavioral interventions. Recent research related to this form of intervention has raised concerns about its effectiveness. Neurofeedback has been found to be a beneficial form of treatment for a range of clinical presentations internationally. Despite this, its use in the UK has thus far been limited. Based on the theoretical literature related to sexual offending, as well as findings that Neurofeedback can be beneficial for people who experience problems resulting from trauma, emotional instability, harmful behaviors toward others, those with developmental disorders, and for those who have struggled to engage with and/or benefit from talking therapies. Neurofeedback was carried out with an individual in a UK-based secure mental health setting. This individual, referred to as John in the current study, presented to services with an Autism Spectrum Condition, mild Intellectual Disability and a diagnosis of pedophilia, as well as a history of sexual offending against children and vulnerable adults. John had engaged in many treatment programs over many years with little evidence of significant benefit. Psychometric measures as well as qualitative feedback was used to evaluate any change experienced by John following Neurofeedback and the use of the Reliable Change Index revealed significant improvements in relation to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive type patterns of responding, child sexual arousal, sexual compulsivity, and sexual preoccupation. Whilst our findings are modest they do provide tentative support for the use of Neurofeedback for people with similar presenting difficulties to John and those in similar circumstances. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

EEG Biofeedback In EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback), a real-time display of the brain’s electrical activity, fed back as visual or auditory information, enables the user to modify that brainwave activity. In a 2010 keynote address to the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research, Doidge23 suggested that the misperception that the adult brain was fixed and unchangeable “led scientists to doubt the claims made by the pioneers of neurofeedback.”23 Only with the discovery of neuroplasticity did the work of neurofeedback investigators and clinicians begin to find acceptance among other researchers. Still, for some time, there existed limited evidence as to whether EEG biofeedback directly affects neuroplasticity, resulting in ongoing skepticism about its potential as a restorative therapeutic modality. However, several recent studies utilizing transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have demonstrated objective, temporally direct changes in cortical activation and connectivity as a result of neurofeedback.24,25

ABSTRACT
Conventional treatment for individuals with histories of sexual offending has typically involved the facilitation of cognitive-behavioral interventions. Recent research related to this form of intervention has raised concerns about its effectiveness. Neurofeedback has been found to be a beneficial form of treatment for a range of clinical presentations internationally. Despite this, its use in the UK has thus far been limited. Based on the theoretical literature related to sexual offending, as well as findings that Neurofeedback can be beneficial for people who experience problems resulting from trauma, emotional instability, harmful behaviors toward others, those with developmental disorders, and for those who have struggled to engage with and/or benefit from talking therapies. Neurofeedback was carried out with an individual in a UK-based secure mental health setting. This individual, referred to as John in the current study, presented to services with an Autism Spectrum Condition, mild Intellectual Disability and a diagnosis of pedophilia, as well as a history of sexual offending against children and vulnerable adults. John had engaged in many treatment programs over many years with little evidence of significant benefit. Psychometric measures as well as qualitative feedback was used to evaluate any change experienced by John following Neurofeedback and the use of the Reliable Change Index revealed significant improvements in relation to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive type patterns of responding, child sexual arousal, sexual compulsivity, and sexual preoccupation. Whilst our findings are modest they do provide tentative support for the use of Neurofeedback for people with similar presenting difficulties to John and those in similar circumstances. Implications and recommendations are discussed.