Mental health conditions are set to become the leading disease by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. Technological advances, however, are offering promising opportunities in research and treatment, such as virtual reality and augmented reality. How can a several-decades-old therapy contribute to making life better for people who are or may struggle with mental health issues?
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy Used For?
Neurofeedback may seem like it’s a new kind of therapy, but it was conceived in the late 1950s and 1960s. Dr. Joseph Kamiya at the University of Chicago and Dr. Barry Sterman at UCLA invented the therapy. In the 1970s, Dr. Joel Lubar ran controlled studies using neurofeedback to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on children, adolescents, and adults.
Several years later, many other studies have demonstrated significant and long-term improvements after subjects went through neurofeedback training.
But what exactly is neurofeedback? Do all licensed psychologists and therapists across the globe use it? Is there, for example, neurofeedback in Dubai or Europe?
Neurofeedback is a drug-free, non-invasive intervention used as a form of therapy for conditions, such as:
- ADHD
- Chronic depression
- Chronic anxiety
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Insomnia
- Addictions
- Epilepsy
- Traumatic brain injury
Some licensed clinics may also use it for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, development delays, stress, and treatment-resistant depression.
Elite athletes have sometimes used neurofeedback to boost their performance and improve their mental health. Musicians and military special forces have also used some form of neuro-stimulation to enhance creativity and training. The therapy is not just reserved for chronic conditions, but it can also help someone be at the top of their game.
What to Expect From Neurofeedback Therapy
Licensed professionals use electronic instruments to measure a person’s brainwaves, providing them with real-time feedback about how their brain is functioning. The mind-body technique teaches people to gain voluntary control over bodily functions that are typically involuntary.
In understanding the physiological processes that are happening in their body, a person is able to shift their brain into a healthier, more stable functioning pattern. They learn to recreate the desired state (e.g., calmness) versus the undesirable state (e.g., panic).
For example, instead of the constant anxiety over the lack of retirement planning and the rising cost of living, a person can take control of their thoughts and approach the issue logically. In learning to focus their thought patterns away from anxiety and toward sharpened focus, a person can begin to cope with life’s challenges.
Depending on the condition that’s under treatment, the therapist will measure certain brainwaves, which are:
- Delta – the most relaxing state since it appears when the person’s sleeping.
- Beta – high-frequency, low-amplitude; it appears when the person’s awake and thinking, reading, writing, or socializing.
- Alpha – it appears when the person’s awake but relaxed.
- Theta – it appears during light sleep or meditation; it’s the brainwave that indicates the height of creativity and vivid visualization.
- Gamma – registers the highest frequency, when the brain is processing information from different areas simultaneously.
When the treatment is for anxiety, the focus of the neurofeedback training will be the alpha waves. Researchers have discovered that by reducing frontal electromyogram (EMG) levels through EMG biofeedback may relieve specific and generalized patterns of anxiety.
When it comes to treating depression, therapists may use neurofeedback to increase alpha and theta waves while restricting beta frequencies. Researchers have found this approach to be effective in treating depression.
With ADHD, the aim of neurofeedback is to reduce brain activity in the theta and increase activity in beta. Some studies have found this form of therapy can reduce hyperactivity, improving focus and other indicators of sustained attention.
What Are the Types of Neurofeedback Treatments?
Generally, clinics use seven types of neurofeedback treatments. Each one is specific to disorder or condition.
1. Frequency or Power Neurofeedback
Frequency neurofeedback is the most common type of treatment. Therapists typically use it for ADHD, insomnia, and anxiety. Two to four surface electrodes are attached to the person undergoing the treatment, changing the amplitude or speed of certain brain waves in certain locations.
2. Low-energy Neurofeedback System (LENS)
LENS sends a weak electromagnetic signal, changing the brain waves of a person in an alpha state. This type of neurofeedback therapy focuses on conditions like anger, depression, anxiety, restless leg disorder, traumatic brain injury, ADHD, and fibromyalgia.
3. Live Z-score Neurofeedback
Live Z-score is specific to treating insomnia, introducing continuous comparison of brain electrical activity to a database.
4. Slow Cortical Potential Neurofeedback (SCP-NF)
SCP-NF treats epilepsy, migraines, and ADHD.
5. Low-resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORE-TA)
LORE-TA treats depression, addictions, and obsessive-compulsive behavior (OCD). This treatment uses 19 electrodes, monitoring power, phase, and coherence.
6. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
The fMRI, which is the most recent type of neurofeedback therapy, regulates activity by using feedback from the deep areas of the brain.
7. Hemoencephalographic (HEG) Neurofeedback
HEG is specific to treating migraine headaches by providing feedback on cerebral blood flow.
Sessions typically last about 45 minutes and a minimum of 20 sessions may be recommended to achieve sustained results.
Are There Side Effects to Neurofeedback?
Because neurofeedback therapy or training does not use medication and it is non-invasive, it is generally safe.
Much like other forms of therapy, neurofeedback may have varying effects on different people. As such, some people may experience the following side effects:
- Temporary disorientation
- Panic attacks
- Fatigue
- Headaches or dizziness
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Anger
- Increased anxiety
- Incontinence
It’s important to communicate any changes or unusual effects after sessions to your therapist as soon as they occur. This way, further interventions may be carried out.
Mental Well-being Through Neurofeedback Therapy
Multiple factors can affect mental health, and it will vary with each person. Some will involve economic and environmental circumstances, others include unfavorable social situations. In some cases, genetics can influence the state of one’s mental health.
Whatever the cause, there are interventions that can promote and protect mental health. Many do not have to involve medications. Neurofeedback therapy is one such intervention.
As with any treatment, it is crucial to be informed and to choose a health care specialist who has extensive experience in neurofeedback. Whether you’re seeking therapy in your hometown or through a wellness center Dubai offers, consult with a qualified professional to ensure this mind-body technique is the appropriate route to mental well-being.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Upasana Gala
Founder & CEO, Evolve Brain Training
Dr. Upasana Gala is the founder and CEO of Evolve Brain Training, an award-winning neurofeedback-centered institute that focuses on using non-invasive brain training techniques to maximize the brain’s true potential. Earning a doctorate in Neuroscience from the revered Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Gala has spent over a decade trying to unravel the way neurochemical and neurophysiological changes in the brain affect the way we interact with the world. Her goal is to share her knowledge, encourage others to tap into and expand their brain’s capabilities, and dispel any myths surrounding our most complex organ.
