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
Example locations:
International 10-20 System
of Electrode Placement
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 cz
Normative
OCD / Anxiety Disorders
ADHD
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 Signatures
EEG 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/PWn
dvoCjrxY
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