The Case for EEG Biofeedback

A CASE FOR EEG BIOFEEDBACK
Linda Guzman Ellenberger
Proprietor & Clinician
Elevate Brain Training
Email: ElevateBrainTraining@gmail.com
Spring 2015

A PowerPoint Presentation by
Fresno, California
© Elevate Brain Training 2015

WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY….
 Ask questions!
 Raise your hand, please.
 No question is a dumb question.
 “Talk-it-outs”: with a nearby classmate
 Why?
 Verbalize = learn better
 Can’t verbalize = we realize we may not
understand material

1. …you’re seriously
considering a career in
the mental health field
IF…

2. … you’re close with
someone who struggles
with some sort of mental
health issue
IF…

health issue
3. ...you know someone
who’s taking
medication(s) for mental
health
IF…

health issue
3. ...you know someone
who’s taking
medication(s) for mental
health
4. …you’ve ever heard of
neurofeedback
IF…

A LOOK AT TODAY’S TALK
1. Neurofeedback Conquerors
2. Brain Regulation
3. Brain Dysregulation
4. Causes of Brain
Dysregulation
5. Neurofeedback is…
6. Neurofeedback is Not…
7. Neurofeedback Sessions
8. Neurofeedback’s Efficacy

 The 21st Century’s Best Kept Secret
I.
Neurofeedback
Conquerors

 “EverytimeIclosemy
eyes,Iseemy6-year-old
sondying ontheoperating
table”
 Slept4hours/night
 “I’mCrazy Lacey”
 Foggythinking
 Unmotivated
 Short-termmemorydeficits
 After 1 session: “This is
the first time I’ve closed
my eyes … that I have
*not* seen my son on the
operating table”
 Sleeps 7-8 hrs/night
 No longer “Crazy Lacey”
 Clear thinking, motivated,
great memory
 Time frame: within 4
months of the tragedy
Before After
TRAUMA & GRIEF CONQUEROR, LACEY

 Mohammed: “I used to
be the biggest baddest
bully in the school.”
 Mom:“I asked God, ‘Why
did you give him to me?’”
 “very bad”
“could never sit and do
something”
 Mohammed:
 “I’mdifferent”
 “Itcalms medown”
 “Itmakesmefeelgood”
 Mom: “Ilookedforwardto
hissessions”
 “afterhewasfinished,he
feltmorerelaxed”
 “absolutelynormalkid”
Before After
Source: Jim Robbins’ A Symphony in the Brain, p. 144
ADHD CONQUEROR 10YO MOHAMMED
Before After

 Diagnosed with ADHD
as a boy
 As a teen,
 used drugs
 started stealing, even
though his family had
plenty of money
 hung out on the streets
 9sessions: FstoAs
 Rememberedhislunch
money&hisbooks
 Focused&carriedona
conversationwithoutbeing
distracted
 Mom: “Hewas
interesting—forthefirst
time,Iwasgettingtoknow
mykid”
Before After
Source: Jim Robbins’ A Symphony in the Brain, p. 155
ADHD CONQUEROR 16-YEAR-OLD VERN

 Her anxiety was so
paralyzing & painful
that she
couldn’t go to school
couldn’t fall sleep
hours after being
around an alcoholic
family member
couldn’t sleep in her
own bed
 Anxiety attacks: gone
 She’s able toattend
school more regularly
 She can now fall asleep
withease—after being
around her alcoholic
family member
 Now sleeps inher own
bed
Before After
ANXIETY CONQUEROR 13YO ANNA
Before After

 Severe depression &
anxiety kept him from
being able to attend
school since 5th grade
 11th grade: he could
complete 0 of his 20
weekly independent
study assignments
 His mom spoke to his
teachers for him
 After only 6 sessions,
Eric is able to complete
all 20 of his weekly
assignments
 He doesn’t want his
mom talking for him
anymore: He speaks to
his teachers directly
 He has hope
Before After
ANXIETY&DEPRESSIONCONQUEROR17YOERIC

 Germany, Jan. 2001 World
Cup Race:
48-yr-old Anne Abernathy
crashed at 70mph
 Lost 3 yrs of memory
 Didn't recognize her medical
coach
 Black outs, seizures,
impaired balance
Before
Neurofeedback
BRAIN INJURYSUFFERER:GRANDMALUGE
http://anneabernathy.com/crash.htm;
Hill, PhD, Robert & Eduardo Castro, PhD. Healing Young Brains: The Neurofeedback Solution. Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads, 2009.

 2001-02: Olympic qualifier
 2002 Olympics: 26th overall:
Women’s Luge Singles
 2003-04: Top20 in world
 2006: Competed in Olympics
 Training for her 7th Olympics:
Rio 2016
After
Neurofeedback
BRAIN INJURYCONQUEROR:GMALUGE
http://anneabernathy.com/crash.htm;
Hill, PhD, Robert & Eduardo Castro, PhD. Healing Young Brains: The Neurofeedback Solution. Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads, 2009, p. 159.

 Sheputupwithwork-place
sexualharassmentforover
10years thengotfiredfor
reporting it
 The results:
 PTSD
 Chronic pain
 Fatigue & foggy thinking
 Reliance on caffeine
 Mental/physical exhaustion
 Unrestful sleep
 After 1 session:“I feel
more relaxedthan I’ve felt
in years”
 After 2 sessions: “I sleep
through the night & wake
up alert & refreshed”
 “With ease, I canread &
concentrate for hours”
Before After
TRAUMA CONQUEROR 47YO HAYLEY
Before After

 Cycling accident;
undiagnosed MTBI
 Took 2 one-hour
naps/day while at
work; 2 med leaves
 Woke multiple
times/night
 Stoppedreading: severe
concentration&focus
deficits
 Forming & speaking
sentences was
exhausting
 ADHD symptoms
 Debilitating fatigue
 Incessant muscle
pain & weakness
 Severe short-term
memory deficits
 Blank mind
Before
BRAIN INJURY SUFFERER: LINDA

 No daytime naps
needed
 Sleeps through the
night
 Readsforhours atatime
 Speaks with ease:
regularly socializes
with friends
 Loves giving
presentations about
neurofeedback
 Alert & energetic
 Muscle pain &
weakness: gone
 Short-term memory:
resolved
 Blank mind: resolved
After
BRAIN INJURY CONQUEROR: LINDA

II.
Brain
Regulation

WHAT IS A REGULATED BRAIN?
A body of 50 years of
research has proven
that
there is an
accepted normal
pattern of brainwave
activity for any given
situation
Brain and Body Solutions. http://www.brainandbodysolutions.com/neurological-dysregulation-syndrome.html

A REGULATED BRAIN
A “Command
Center”--
running
efficiently &
productively
in all
circumstances

 A harmonious
symphony
whose
conductor’s
timing is
precise
A REGULATED BRAIN

1. Produces normal
brainwave
patterns
2. Runs efficiently &
productively
3. Has precise
timing (brain cells
fire at different
speeds)
REVIEW: A REGULATED BRAIN

What Does the Brain Regulate?
Anger Empathy Obsessive
Thoughts
Anxiety Headaches/
Migraines
Perception
of Pain
Attention Impulsivity Response
Time
Behavior Mood Self-Talk
Emotions Motivation Sleep

III.
Brain Dysregulation

WHAT IS A DYSREGULATED BRAIN?
Imbalanced

Imbalanced
Improperly regulated

Imbalanced
Producing
inappropriate
brainwave activity at
inappropriate times

Imbalanced
Producing
inappropriate
brainwave activity at
inappropriate times
Imprecise timing

BRAIN DYSREGULATION:
LITERALLY, THE BRAIN IS OUT OF ORDER

A DYSREGULATED BRAIN:
LIKE ANY OTHER ORGAN
THAT MALFUNCTIONS

DYSREGULATION
EXAMPLE 1: TOO MUCH BETA
http://neurofeedbackdefined.com/what-is-neurofeedback
It’s not optimal for the
beta frequency—
the “go” brainwave—
to be dominant at night,
or it causes
insomnia

DYSREGULATION
EXAMPLE 2:TOO MUCH DELTA
It’s not optimal for
the delta frequency—
the “sleep” brainwave—
to be active during the day,
or it causes
daytime drowsiness

DYSREGULATION
EXAMPLE 3: INATTENTION
It’s not optimal for
the theta frequency—
the “relax” brainwave—
to be active while a student
tries to learn new material,
or it causes
inattention & spaceyness

A Snapshot
of a
Dysregulated
Brain:
ADHD

DYSREGULATION: A BRAIN MAP
Too much theta
= inattention

The Dysregulated Brain Manifests
Itself In Disorders Such as….
ADD/ADHD
(Attentional Issues)
Cognitive Issues
(Focus, Memory, Processing Speed,
Flexibility—
Especially Cog Issues Due to
Anesthesia or Chemo Brain)
Migraines
& Headaches
Addiction Depression PTSD/Trauma
Anxiety Fibromyalgia Stress
Autism &
Asperger’s
Hypersomnia
(Daytime Sleepiness)
Nightmares &
Night Terrors
Brain
Injuries
Insomnia Tantrums

Re-Cap
1. Brain Regulation
3. Your turn: Write down a
question, opinion, insight,
etc.
4. Questions?

IV.
Causes
Of
Brain
Dysregulation

BRAIN DYSREGULATION:
WHAT CAUSES IT?

3 CAUSES OF BRAIN DYSREGULATION
GenesIndividual
Choices
Environment

LET’S FOCUS ON TWO CAUSES….
GenesIndividual
Choices
Environment

CAUSE #1
Environmental
Factors
May Cause Brain Dysregulation,
Hindering One’s
Overall Development &
Functioning

1) AdverseChildhoodExperiences
2) Disorder in the Home
3) Inadequate Sleep
4) Multi-Tasking with Media
5) Head Injury / Sports Concussion

1)Adverse Childhood Experiences
(ACES)

OVER 63% OF 17,000 NON-AT-RISK SUBJECTS REPORT
1-5 ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (COLLABORATION WITH KAISER PERMANENTE, SAN DIEGO SINCE 1995)
1 ACE = 26%
2 ACE = 16%
3 ACE = 10 %
4 ACE = 6%
5 ACE = 5%
Adverse Childhood Experiences
0
1
2
3
4
5
63%

WHAT IS AN
“ADVERSE
CHILDHOOD
EXPERIENCE”?

ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
INCLUDE:
 Insults child
 Swears at child
 Act in a way that
made the child
afraid of physical
harm
Parent/Adult in the Home
Often or Very Often:

 Pushes, grabs, slaps,
or throws something
at child
 Hit hard, resulting in
marks or injury(ies)
 Sexually
molest/assault
Parent/Adult in the Home
Often or Very Often:
INCLUDE:

 Unloved, unimportant
 Unsupported
 Hungry, unprotected
 Had to wear dirty clothes
 Parents were too
drunk/high care for you
Child Often or Very Often
Felt:
INCLUDE:

 Ever separated or
divorced
 Depressed or
mentally ill
 Went to prison
Parent/Adult/Other
Member in the Home:
acestudy.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/ACE_Calculator-English.127143712.pdf
INCLUDE:

 Attempted
suicide
 A problem
drinker or
alcoholic or
who used
street drugs
Parent/Adult/Other
Member in the Home:
INCLUDE:

 Often or very often
pushed, grabbed,
slapped, etc
 Sometimes, often, or
very often kicked,
bitten, hit with a fist, or
hit with something hard
 Ever repeatedly hit at
least a few minutes or
threatened with a gun
or knife
Mother or Stepmother:
INCLUDE:

LIKELY OUTCOMES OF TRAUMA (ACE STUDY)
http://acestudy.org/

ACE STUDY: MORE SPECIFIC OUTCOMES
ACEs
Mental
Health
General
Health &
Social
Functioning
Risk
Factors for
Common
Diseases
Sexual
Health
Anxiety
Depression
Memory Disturbances
Panic Reactions
Poor Anger Control
Sleep Disturbances
Alcoholism
Illicit Drugs
Obesity
Promiscuity
Smoking
Early Age of 1st Intercourse
Teen Pregnancy
Fetal Death
Relationship Problems
Difficulty in Job Performance

ACE STUDY: MORE SPECIFIC OUTCOMES
ACEs
Mental
Health
General
Health &
Social
Functioning
Risk
Factors
for
Common
Diseases
Sexual
Health
Anxiety
Depression
Memory Disturbances
Panic Reactions
Poor Anger Control
Sleep Disturbances
Alcoholism
Illicit Drugs
Obesity
Promiscuity
Smoking
Early Age of 1st Intercourse
Teen Pregnancy
Fetal Death
Relationship Problems
Difficulty in Job Performance

NOW, LET’S LOOK AT GENETIC FACTORS
BEHIND BRAIN DYSREGULATION
GenesIndividual
Choices
Environment

CAUSE #2
Environment
Genetic
Factors
May Cause Brain Dysregulation,
Hindering One’s
Development & Overall
Functioning

1) Addictive Behaviors
2) ADHD
3) Anxiety
4) Learning Disabilities

 More than 2/3 of young substance
abusers suffer from mental health
problems, such as:
 Anxiety
 Depression
 ADHD
 Eating disorders
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/teen-drug-abuse-14-mistakes-parents-make/
Mayo Clinic & National Institutes of Health
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/basics/definition/con-20033813
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2715956/

2) ADHD

Research has shown that ADHD can have
a genetic basis:
likely that an ADHD sufferer
has a close relative
with similar symptoms
ADHD
National Institutes of Health http://www.genome.gov/10004300
National Alliance on Mental Illness http://www2.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=ADHD&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=106893

 9%--over 5 million—school-aged
children, live with ADHD (CDC)
 Only 56% of these youth receive
treatment in any given year
ADHD
National Institutes of Health http://www.genome.gov/10004300
National Alliance on Mental Illness http://www2.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=ADHD&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=106893

13.1% of poverty-stricken children
have ADHD
13.7% of boys have ADHD
ADHD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010-2012
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus13.pdf#041
Date of Publication: 2013

Even with medication, children
with ADHD may not improve
academically
ADHD: A GRIM FORECAST
Researchers from Princeton University, Cornell University and the University of Toronto found that
the administration of these drugs to children, which is supposed to help them remain calm and
focused in class, actually leaves students at a deficit when it comes to paying attention and
learning in a formal academic setting.
Children who take mind-altering medications like Ritalin (methylphenidate)
and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
have been shown in a new peer-reviewed study to perform worse in school
than if they weren't taking the substances at all.
Currie, Janet; Stabile, Mark; Jones, Lauren. Journal of Health Economics
“Do stimulant medications improve educational and behavioral outcomes for children with ADHD?” Volume 37, September 2014, Pages 58–69.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167629614000654
http://www.naturalnews.com/048181_ADHD_drugs_academic_performance_children.html##ixzz3R0FX4sQM

ADHD: HIGHER SUICIDE RATE
 Pastor Jamie Evans—First Presbyterian
Church, Fresno
 “Zest for life”
 Suicide 2010: left behind a wife & children
 Recent study:
 NON-ADHD: 1.3 percent have attempted suicide;
0.02 percent completed suicide
 ADHD: 9.4 percent had attempted suicide;
0.2 percent committed suicide.
Original article published in (June 25, 2014) in the journal JAMA Psychiatry
http://www.livescience.com/46532-suicide-risk-adhd.html

ADHD:
IMPACT ON THESE STUDENTS
Almost 3x
as many
peer
problems
More frequent
and severe
injuries and
hospital
admissions
47%
of youth
in
juvenile
detention
have a
diagnosis of
ADHD
National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://www2.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=ADHD&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=106893

2) ADHD
3) Anxiety

25% or 1 in 4 13- to 18-year-olds
have an anxiety disorder1
 30.1 of female adolescents
 20.3 of male adolescents
Only 33% of anxiety sufferers ever
receive treatment2
ANXIETY
1National Institute of Mental Health; http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/any-anxiety-disorder-among-children.shtml
2Anxiety and Depression Association of America; http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety
Anxiety disorders may develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, & life events.
Studies have shown that ANXIETY DISORDERS run in families: they can be inherited from one or both parents, like hair or eye color.
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Sources: Anxiety and Depression Association of America http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety
Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, & NIH
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml?rf=53414
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/neurological_institute/center-for-behavorial-health/disease-conditions/hic-anxiety-disorders
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/basics/causes/con-20026282

 2.4 million American public school
students—approx 5% of total public
school enrollment—identified with
learning disabilities
(under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)*)
LEARNING DISABILITIES & LANGUAGE
DELAYS
*National Center for Learning Disabilities. The State of Learning Disabilities. New York. 2014. http://www.ncld.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-State-of-LD.pdf
Research supports a substantial genetic influence on reading disabilities, specifically, early-onset cognitive delays
(This is one area in which genetic research has made the most progress)
Language and communication disorders also show substantial genetic influence, as does general cognitive ability (intelligence)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11351798
Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2001 Apr;10(2):259-77, viii.

LEARNING DISABILITIES:
LD STUDENTS & THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE
National Center for Learning Disabilities. The State of Learning Disabilities. New York. 2014. http://www.ncld.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-State-of-LD.pdf
52% Stopped by police for
offense other than traffic
violation
55%
of young adults
with LD reported
having some type
of involvement
with the criminal
justice system
within 8 years of
leaving high
school
32% Arrested
16% Spent a night in jail
16% Have been on probation
or parole

What Does the Brain Regulate?
(In the Context of Neurofeedback)
Anger Empathy Obsessive
Thoughts
Anxiety Headaches/
Migraines
Perception
of Pain
Attention Impulsivity Response
Time
Behavior Mood Self-Talk
Emotions Motivation Sleep

Review: The Dysregulated Brain
Manifests as….
ADD/ADHD
Cognitive Issues
(Especially Those Due to
Nightmares &
Night Terrors
Addiction Depression Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder
(PTSD)
Anxiety Hypersomnia
Stress
Autism &
Asperger’s
Insomnia Tantrums
Brain Injuries Migraines
& Headaches
Trauma

Re-Cap
1. Brain Regulation
3. Causes of Dysregulation
4. Your turn: Write down a
question, opinion, insight,
etc.
5. Questions?

V.
How Can the
Dysregulated
Brain
Become
Regulated?

A POWERFUL
INTERVENTION:
NEUROFEEDBACK
**ALSO CALLED
EEG BIOFEEDBACK
OR
NEUROTHERAPY

NEUROFEEDBACK IN A NUTSHELL

NEUROFEEDBACK PUTS THE BRAIN IN SIMILAR
BRAIN STATES AS MEDICATION—BUT
PERMANENTLY,
WITHOUT ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS

THE ESSENCE OF NEUROFEEDBACK
When your BRAIN becomes
aware of its own activity…
Your brain can change it

Operant Conditioning:
The brain learns self-
regulation through rewards &
inhibitors
NEUROFEEDBACK IS OPERANT CONDITIONING

NEUROFEEDBACK IS A PERSONAL TRAINER
Trains
electrical
activity &
timing
of the brain

NEUROFEEDBACK CAN BE COMPARED TO
LEARNING HOW TO RIDE A BIKE
Extra tools such as
training wheels or a
friendly hand help
guide the process
of learning how to
ride a bike

TRANSFORMATION IS TYPICALLY
PERMANENT
 Changes are
permanent
 Just as you never
forget how to ride a
bike, your brain
typically never
forgets how to self-
regulate

Better Brain
Regulation
Improved
Brain
Performance

Better Brain
Regulation
 Better attention
 More alert
 Calm focus
 Better control over
behavior & emotions
 Increased resilience
to stress
 Improved sleep
patterns
 Grace under
pressure
Improved
Brain
Performance

What is
Neurofeedback NOT?

NEUROFEEDBACK IS NOT….
 A cure to make your
little brother vacuum
the house
 A panacea
 A quick fix
 A “Holy Grail”

NEUROFEEDBACK IS NOT….
 A parenting replacement
 Counseling/therapy
 A new age fad
 Hypnosis
 “Mind over matter”
 Invasive
 Painful

Re-Cap
1. Brain Regulation
3. Neurofeedback is….
4. Neurofeedback is not….

What
Does
Neurofeedback
Look
Like?

THE 1ST NEUROFEEDBACK APPOINTMENT
NO pricey diagnostic
testing:
1. 90 questions
2. Software tailors
individualized protocol
3. Subsequent sessions:
14 questions are asked
to fine tune protocols &
to track progress
http://neurofeedbackdefined.com/neurofeedback-therapy

 Sensors are placed
on ear(s) & scalp
 It doesn’t hurt
 Nothing goes into the
brain
 The sensors only pick
up electrical activity
coming from
brainwaves
WHAT HAPPENS IN A NEUROFEEDBACK
SESSION?

The computer provides
the brain feedback on:
a) how each brainwave
frequency is
performing, and
b) how the brain might
improve its
performance
WHAT HAPPENS IN A
NEUROFEEDBACK SESSION?

The brain responds
to the feedback,
learning new
developmental skills
WHAT HAPPENS IN A
NEUROFEEDBACK SESSION?

 With eyes-open
neurofeedback training,
one watches the
fractals morphing on
the screen
NEUROFEEDBACK SESSION

 With eyes-open
neurofeedback training,
one watches the
fractals morphing on
the screen
 One is also mindful
of the green & red
graph
NEUROFEEDBACK SESSION

HOW MANY SESSIONS?
 2-3x/week
Up to 10x/week for
faster results

HOW MANY SESSIONS?
 2-3x/week
Up to 10x/week for
faster results
 Generally, in the first
5-8 sessions, clients
notice improvements

HOW MANY SESSIONS?
 2-3x/week
Up to 10x/week for
faster results
 Generally, in the first
5-8 sessions, clients
notice improvements
 20-30 sessions are
recommended to
achieve one’s goals to
maintain lasting
results

HOW MANY SESSIONS?
The greater the
brain
dysregulation, the
more sessions an
individual will need

VI.
What Does
Research Tell Us about
the Efficacy
of Neurofeedback?

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: ALL CLIENTS
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
All Clients & All Issues (n=16,490)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
80%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session.
Per BrainPaint Rack Card

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: ADHD
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
ADHD (n=1185)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
78%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: AUTISM
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
Autism (n=354)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
78%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session.

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: CHRONIC PAIN
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
Chronic Pain (n=298)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
67%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or “resolved”
by the 20th
session

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: DEPRESSION
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
Depression (n=1544)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
78%
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session.

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: INSOMNIA
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
Insomnia (n=1661)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
79%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session.

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: MOOD SWINGS
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
Mood Swings (n=90)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
84%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session.

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: NIGHTMARES
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
Nightmares (n=222)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
85%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session.

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: OCD
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(n=337)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
75%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: PSYCHOSIS
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
Psychosis (n=19)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
100%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session

BRAINPAINT RESULTS: PTSD
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2
Sessions
5
Sessions
10
Sessions
20
Sessions
PTSD/Trauma (n=819)
Percentage
of People
Reporting
Progress
99%
report
symptoms
are “better”
or
“resolved”
by the 20th
session.

LET’S FOCUS ON
NEUROFEEDBACK (NF) RESEARCH
DEMONSTRATING NF’S EFFICACY ON
CHILDREN WITH
ADHD & LEARNING DISABILITIES

EFFICACY OF NEUROFEEDBACK ON
ADHD

NEUROFEEDBACK & ADHD
 American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP):
EEG biofeedback as
an “evidence-based
child/adolescent
psychosocial
intervention”
 AAP: over 60,000
pediatricians
http://coe.csusb.edu/documents/CRPsychosocialInterventions.pdf

NEUROFEEDBACK & ADHD
http://coe.csusb.edu/documents/CRPsychosocialInterventions.pdf
 EEG Biofeedback =
Level 1 (Best Support)
for children and
adolescents with
“attention &
hyperactivity behaviors”
(May-Oct 2013)
 Endorsed “as effective
as medication”

 In this next slide:
 The first large randomized controlled
trial to evaluate the long-term
effectiveness of in-school computer
training for ADHD
NEUROFEEDBACK RESEARCH: ADHD
“Computer Feedback Can Help Students With ADHD Train Their Brains”
February 17, 2014
http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Computer-Feedback-Can-Help-Students-With-ADHD.aspx

NEUROFEEDBACK (NF) RESEARCH:
ADHD
Year
Author
Subjects Sessions Results
2014
Naomi
Steiner,
MD, et al;
in
Pediatrics—
thejournalof
theAmerican
Academyof
Pediatrics
104
7- to 11-
year-olds
with ADHD
40 sessions
in an
elementary
school
setting
Prompt & greater
improvements in
ADHD symptoms,
which were
sustained at the
6-month follow-up
Conclusions:
1) NF is a promising
attention-training
treatment for children
with ADHD
2) NF can contribute to
lasting improvements for
these children

ADHD
Year
Author
2001
Carmody
et al
8 children
age 8-10 years
not taking
medication
(4 with ADHD,
4 without)
35-47 sessions
in an elementary
school setting
6-month time
span
Less
impulsivity
Improvements in
teacher-rated
attention

Year
Author
2006
deBeus
et al
52 children
age 7-10
diagnosed with
ADHD;
50% inattentive
type, 50%
combined); 46%
had comorbid
conduct disorder,
depression, or
anxiety disorders,
typical of the ADHD
population
20 sessions Significantly improvements in:
• hyperactivity ratings at home & school
• attention ratings at home
• ability to work with others
• organization
• study habits
• attitude
• internalizing symptoms
• computerized tests of attention
1/3 of the group was able to reduce
medication dosage
NEUROFEEDBACK (NF) RESEARCH: ADHD

Year
Author
2006
Beauregard
Levesque
et al
20
unmedicated
children
age 8-12 with ADHD
40 sessions
3x/week for
13½ weeks
Significantly
improvements
in:
cognitive
functioning,
attention, &
hyperactivity
Functional magnetic
resonance imaging
(fMRI) detected
increased activation
of the anterior
cingulate cortex—a
key player in HOW we
pay attention
Commentary on this study from Jim Robbins in his book, A Symphony in the Brain:
“a landmark study…using state-of-the-art brain imaging technology at the University of Montreal.
It should go a long way toward silencing the critics of the science of neurofeedback” (151).

Year
Author
2002
Monastra
et al
100
6-19 yrs-old
with ADHD;
51 chose NF
All subjects
received stimulant
medication, parent
training &
counseling, and
educational
assistance
34-50
sessions
1x/week
WITH MEDS:
Significant improvement
on:
• parent & teacher
behavioral ratings
• TOVA (Test of Variables
of Attention)
• qEEG measures of
cortical arousal
WITHOUT MEDS:
After a 1-week
medication
washout, only the
NF group retained
their improvement

EFFICACY OF NEUROFEEDBACK WITH
LEARNING DISABILITIES

Year
Author
2005
Fleischman
et al
2 identical twin girls
with mild
development delay &
ADHD symptoms
n/a IQ scores
increased 22 &
23 points (Full
scale IQ)
• Improvement in
ADHD symptoms
• Gains maintained
after 1 year
1996
Linden
et al
18 children age 5-15
with ADD & LD
40 sessions
in 6 months
Significant
increase in IQ
Reduced inattentive
behaviors
2003
Fernandez
et al
10 LD children 20 sessions
2x/week
Significant
improvement
on WISC
performance
Better cognitive
performance

Year
Author
2006
Follow-up
of 2003
Fernandez
10 LD children 2 years after
initial
20 sessions
Positive behavioral
changes
Remission of LD
symptoms
2004
Orlando
6th, 7th, & 8th graders
with identified
learning problems,
ADHD, or “Other
Health Impaired”
28 weekly
sessions
over
7 months
Improved reading
test scores;
increased time on
basic reading
Improved IQ
scores (verbal &
full scale)
2006
Jacobs
2 boys with learning,
attention, mood,
social, &
developmental
deficits
2x/week for
6 months
Improvements in:
• academic
functioning,
• home behavior
• peer relationships
Improved in all
tracked
symptoms with
no adverse
effects

NEUROFEEDBACK (NF) RESEARCH: ADHD,
TEEN DEPRESSION & SUICIDE
Year Subjects Sessions Results
2010-
2012
In
Juneau,
Alaska
75 teens at
Yaakoosge
Daakahidi
Alternative High
School
voluntarily
signed up for
the class in
order to have NF
sessions
20-40
sessions
 Increased
attendance rates
 Increases in
credits earned &
in course
completion
 Declines in
student disruptive
& discipline
behaviors
• Alaska was notorious
for having the highest
suicide rate in the
nation
• During the 2 years that
BrainPaint was
available to students,
there were no suicides
among the high-risk
students who chose
neurofeedback as a
class

IF NEUROFEEDBACK
IS BACKED
BY SUCH A LARGE
BODY OF RESEARCH,
WHY IS IT NEITHER WIDELY
KNOWN NOR WIDELY
OFFERED?

NEUROSCIENCE’S “BEST KEPT SECRET”
 Lost government
funding in the 1970s:
 The National
Institutes of Health
(NIH) chose to focus
funding on
pharmaceuticals
 Has not been widely
available

NEUROSCIENCE’S “BEST KEPT SECRET”
 Lousy P.R.:
No large, formally
organized marketing
group (as the
pharmaceutical
industry does well)
 Only 21st-century
technology has
made it possible for
greater availability,
such as Bill Scott’s
BrainPaint system

Final Re-Cap
1. Many modern ills—anxiety, attention challenges,
brain injury, depression, sleep challenges, etc—
are simply issues of brain dysregulation

Final Re-Cap
2. Neurofeedback is a SOLUTION for the root
causes of many modern ills—NOT merely easing
symptoms like medication does

Final Re-Cap
2. Neurofeedback is a SOLUTION for the root
causes of many modern ills—NOT merely easing
symptoms like medication does
3. Neurofeedback is a powerful, evidence-based
tool—helping people feel better and function
better—with no adverse side effects

Neurofeedback Helps People Suffering
From….
ADD/ADHD
Cognitive Issues
(Focus, Memory, Processing Speed,
Flexibility—
Especially Cog Issues Due to
Migraines
& Headaches
Addiction Depression PTSD/Trauma
Anxiety Fibromyalgia Stress
Autism &
Asperger’s
Hypersomnia
Nightmares &
Night Terrors
Brain
Injuries
Insomnia Tantrums
1. NeurofeedbackisaSOLUTIONforthe
rootcausesofmanymodernills—NOT
merelyeasingsymptomslikemedication
does

Question
1. Neurofeedback: 2 Pros &
2 Cons
2. Medication: 2 Pros & 2
Cons

Final Thoughts, or Takeaway
 Neurofeedback is a powerful tool for brain
injury , as well as many other modern ills

 Neurofeedback is easy!

 Trains the brain to function at its pre-injury
levels

 Trains brain to function at its pre-injury levels
 Results are relatively quick

 Trains brain to function at its pre-injury levels,
 Neurofeedback results are permanent

 Trains brain to function at its pre-injury levels,
or better
 Neurofeedback results are permanent

NEUROFEEDBACK HAS HELPED
OLYMPICATHLETES,CEOS,AUTISTIC CHILDREN,TRAUMA
VICTIMS,CHILDREN WITH AD/HD,
VETERANS WITH PTSD, & THE LIST GOES ON….

CHRISKAMANATTRIBUTESHISPROFESSIONAL
IMPROVEMENTS IN2008TONEUROFEEDBACK
 Misdiagnosed with
ADHD as a child
 Kaman’s brain had been
workingtoofast
 Neurofeedback
improved hisfocus:
training his brain towork
at appropriate speeds at
appropriate times

OLYMPIC BEACHVOLLEYBALLCHAMPION
KERRIWALSH-JENNINGS ONNEUROFEEDBACK
 “The training
increased [my]
mental agility and
allowed [me] to
remain more calm
during tense
moments of
competition.”
 Gold medal winner:
2012 Summer
Olympics in London
 http://www.ahpinstitute.com/neurofeedback
-elite-athletes/

2006 WORLD CUP CHAMPION ITALIAN
SOCCER TEAM AFTER NEUROFEEDBACK

FRENCH TENNIS GREAT
MARY PIERCE ON NEUROFEEDBACK
 French tennis great
Mary Pierce, two-time
singles champion at
Grand Slam
tournaments, has
been nominated to
the International
Tennis Hall of Fame.

AMERICAN TENNIS PLAYER
MIKE BRYAN ON NEUROFEEDBACK
 American tennis player
Mike Bryan, who has
undertaken 20 NF
sessions. “I feel a
difference," Bryan has
said. "I can hold my
focus longer, I can turn
it on when I need it and
I can get into an
optimal brain state out
there.”
 Bronze medal in
Beijing, 2008

ALEXANDREBILODEAU,
CANADIANMEN’S MOGULCHAMPION,
CREDITED HISGOLDMEDALTONEUROFEEDBACK
 Alex, 26, became
the first athlete to
win back-to-back
gold medals in
moguls, having
also won the event
in 2010 in
Vancouver.

 BrainPaint does not
require an expensive
brain scan to get
started.
 A study compared the
technique BrainPaint uses
for protocol selection to
that of a brain map and
concluded: “…it is not
possible to draw
conclusions regarding
any advantage regarding
QEEG-versus
Scott/Peniston-specific
training using current
analysis.” ~ Roger J. deBeus, PhD,
BCIA-EEG
THE UNIQUE NATURE OF BRAINPAINT

The Case for EEG Biofeedback

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