So just what is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is biofeedback for the brain. Simply put it helps strengthen the brain, calms it and improves its stability. Also  called neurotherapy, neurobiofeedback or EEG biofeedback it is a therapy technique that presents the user with realtime feedback on brain-waves activity, as measured by brain wave sensors placed on the scalp, typically in the form of a video game or video display accompanied by a “beep” or music. The aim is to enable conscious control of brain-wave activity. If brain activity changes in the direction desired by the therapist, a positive reward or positive feedback is given to the individual, and if it regresses, no feedback is given. Rewards can be as simple as a change in pitch of a tone or as complex as a certain type of movement of a character in a video game. This experience can also be called operant conditioning for internal states.

In the combining of EEG technology and Biofeedback principles a powerful tool has been created. Each of these two technologies which have been joined are powerful tools on their own; each with their own list of practical applications. EEG is used to view the brain and its reactions to different stimuli or tasks. It is also used to diagnose abnormalities within the brain. While Biofeedback is used as a mirror for self-reflection; and so, self-empowerment. Standard biofeedback works with symptomatic areas of a disorder and allows one to teach oneself alleviate those symptoms. The quantum leap of neurofeedback is that, by using an EEG as its information source, NFB allows one to view not the symptom but the underlying cause of a problem~ AND CHANGE THAT.

A number of different brain-wave goals have been proposed by different researchers in the field. Generally, these goals are based upon research describing abnormal EEG patterns or on results from a quantitative EEG (QEEG - also known as brain mapping). A popular goal is the increase of activity in the 12–18 Hz band (beta1/SMR (sensorimotor rhythm)) and a decrease in the 4–8 Hz and/or 22–28 Hz bands (theta and/or beta2). The most common and well-documented use of neurofeedback is in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: multiple studies have shown neurofeedback to be useful in the treatment of ADHD [1] (Butnik 2005) (Masterpasqual et al 2003). QEEG has shown that ADHD is often characterized by an abundance of slow brainwaves and a diminished quantity of fast wave activity (Butnik 2005); neurofeedback treatment seeks to teach individuals to produce more normalized EEG patterns.

Other areas where neurofeedback has been researched include treatment of substance abuse, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and MTBI.

For more information on neurofeedback and its applications you can visit these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurofeedback

http://www.eegspectrum.com/