Does Neurofeedback produce a placebo effect? 4 cases that suggest otherwise.

Over the years I have read many articles that insinuate neurofeedback training is only successful because of the “Placebo Effect.” That is that successful outcomes are produced not by the treatment itself but by the patient’s belief that the treatment will be successful. Fair enough. Being open minded this could be a very real possibility. One for which I was constantly in search of and fully prepared to accept. I have found examples of this in our day to day practice. How many? Out of over 3,000 clients… 2 cases. Two cases where clients reported extraordinary improvements following a single neurofeedback session. While this is possible, based on the initial report of findings from their QEEG (brain map), it was highly unlikely. I simply smiled and said, “And we’re just getting started.” As anticipated those results quickly diminished as we got down to the real work of bringing their brain waves back into regulation. It was at this point that I introduced them to the concept of the placebo effect and we moved forward to a successful conclusion. So, it does happen. However, after having analyzed over 9,000 brain maps and overseen the completion of 50,000 neurofeedback sessions, I will present 4 of 100’s of strong cases that counter the presumption of successful outcomes attributable to the “Placebo Effect.”

Case #1 – One need look no further than the initial development of neurofeedback to counter this claim.  In the late 50’s and early 60’s researchers at the University of Chicago and UCLA were conducting experiments whereby cats were given food but weren’t allowed to eat until an audible tone had stopped playing.  During these experiments the researchers were monitoring their brain wave activity.  They found that while waiting for the tone to end there was a strengthening of the Sensory Motor Rhythm (SMR) brain wave.  This produced an intense period of focus that maintained itself long after meal time.  Because their research was in search of a solution to seizures associated with epilepsy and the SMR wave was thought to play a major role, they published a paper postulating that SMR training may be a possible answer.  This study crossed the desk of an administrator at NASA.  He was hopeful that this may solve their dilemma.  You see while planning the first manned flight to the moon the optimal fuel for the Lunar Lander contained the convulsant chemical monomethylhydrazine.  Every human exposed to this chemical was instantly experiencing seizures.  NASA sent the chemical to the researchers with the request to expose the cats and monitor the results.  Surprisingly, the cats either experienced seizures hours after exposure or experienced no seizures at all.  Based on the results NASA began using neurofeedback SMR training  for all astronauts and the rest is history.  Now I’m no veterinarian or cat whisperer but I find it highly unlikely that these cats anticipated becoming immune to “rocket fuel” induced seizures while focusing on a tone.

Case #2 – (From our own archive) Female.  Seven years of age.  Adorable.  Mom brought her in out of concern that she was developing nervous “tics.”  She would constantly play with and chew her hair among other symptoms.  The initial report of findings from her QEEG indicated a high probability of Beta Global Dysregulation which has been associated with anxiety.  18 sessions in to her neurofeedback training Mom came in elated.  We commented on her mood and she said she had just returned from a parent teacher conference.  She said that usually she leaves those meetings in tears but this one was different.  Unbeknownst to us, her daughter was failing in reading.  Mom had been warned at the beginning of the school year that her daughter’s reading score was at 21.  If it did not improve to a 28 by the end of the school year she would be remanded to a remedial reading class.  This was Mom’s worst nightmare.  She feared that this parent teacher meeting was about moving her daughter early.  However, her daughter’s teacher had noticed something changed and reported it to the vice principal of the school who tested her.  The results were staggering.  Her daughter’s reading score hadn’t improved to a 28 or a 38 or a 48 or a 58.  Her knew reading score was a 67.  The equivalent of jumping ahead 2 1/2 years in reading comprehension.  Do you really think that a 7 year old who barely understood why she was coming to see us anticipated jumping to a 5th grade reading level?

Case #3 – (From our own archive)  Female.  Mid 50’s.  Depressed and Withdrawn.  This wonderful woman came to us immediately following a surprise divorce.  She was understandably depressed, angry and withdrawn.  The initial report of findings from her QEEG indicated a high probability Global Alpha Dysregulation which has been associated with depression.  While I did not meet her until the conclusion of her second treatment to say we got off on the wrong foot would be an understatement.  She came straight up to me and yelled, “Does this stuff actually work?”  The question so caught me off guard that my genuine response was immediate laughter.  Not what she was looking for so we met for about 30 minutes.  I explained to her precisely what we intended to achieve and that she would most likely not see any improvement until her 8th or 9th session.  Following 10 sessions we conducted a progress QEEG to analyze her progress.  Her physical appearance was striking.  She looked spectacular.  Following my review with her she said that her depression hadn’t lifted but that she got up a few days ago, opened her closet and got excited.  You see for the last 20 years she hadn’t concerned herself with her physical appearance.  This had begun long before the divorce and long before her depression.  On that day when she opened her closet she was frozen because, “the possibilities were endless.”  Upon completion of her treatment the depression was gone, she had gone back to school and was killing it academically.  She always looked like a million dollars.  So, I ask you… what are the odds that this this woman, in the midst of a nasty divorce and depressed with her life crumbling around her would anticipate that neurofeedback would make her a fashion expert?

Case #4 –  (from our archives)  Female.  Mid 30’s.  Cognitive impairment and depression due to the loss of a child.  When I first met this woman she was emotionally flat.  She explained that she had lost a child several years earlier and being in the medical profession had tried everything with no success.  She was not one to volunteer information.  The initial report of findings from her QEEG were consistent with her condition.  Prior to her 4th treatment she mentioned to the technician that she thought this was a joke but…  for the first time in years she had reengaged in her crafts.  This gave her a great sense of joy but since the passing of her child she had lost all interest.  “So,” she said, “Something is going on here.”  She has since begun to smile more and is enthusiastic about treatment.  Again, did she really “anticipate” rekindling her love of crafting?

It’s experiences like these and hundreds of others that have lead me to the conclusion that the “Placebo Effect” is not responsible for the vast majority, if not all, of the outcomes produced from neurofeedback training.  Why?  Because it is not the anticipated results that prove otherwise but the unanticipated results.

About the author: Greg Warden is the Executive Director for Neurofeedback Centers of Utah.

Are We Describing You?

Have you ever shared your feelings with someone only to have them tell you, “It’s all in your head?”  Would you believe me if I told you there was a high probability they were right?

The Brain and Emotion Based “Conditions.”

For decades it has been understood that cognitive conditions such as memory loss and Alzheimer’s were brain based.  Clinically documented changes within the structure and function of the brain produced specific cognitive deficits.   It hasn’t been until recently that evidence is beginning to suggest that the same can be said for conditions such as Anxiety and Depression… emotion based “conditions.”  Prior to this evidence these conditions were thought to inhabit the realm of Psychology.  There was simply something incorrect about your method of thinking and your perception of reality.  Of course this can all be traced back to some event in your childhood and be corrected via a multi-year regimen of therapy.   However, leading research is beginning to point in the direction of “Psycho-physiology” as the root cause of most emotion based conditions.  This is a physical change that produces an emotional or psychological outcome.  Most likely a physical change within the structure and function of the brain.  Let’s test the theory.

Are we describing you?

TEST ONE.  Are you experiencing any or all of the following symptoms: Anxiety, OCD, Migraine or Tension Headaches, Insomnia, Obsessive Thinking, Excessive Rationalization (fancy term for makes excuses), Poor Emotional Self Awareness, Panic Attacks, Worry, Chronic Pain, Hyper-Vigilance (a steady fear of something that has little to no chance of ever occurring), Dislike Change and are Restless.  If you answered YES to one or more of these symptoms then there is a high probability that you are suffering from Global Beta Brain Wave Dysregulation.  Your Beta Wave, which is the very brain wave you are using to read this article, is operating at high levels in the wrong hemisphere of the brain.

TEST TWO.  Are you experiencing any or all of the following symptoms:  Depression, Victim Mentality, Excessive Self Concern, Passive Aggressive, Irritability, Avoidance Behavior, Rumination (when thoughts or a series of thoughts go around and around in your head like a hamster on a wheel), Anger, Self-Deprecation, Agitation, Fibromyalgia and Withdrawal Behavior.  If you answered YES to one or more of these symptoms then there is a high probability that you are suffering from Global Alpha Brain Wave Dysregulation.  Your Alpha Wave, which is the brain wave that becomes dominant when you close your eyes or relax, is operating at high levels in the wrong hemisphere of the brain.

TEST THREE.  Are you experiencing any or all of the following symptoms: Cognitive Impairment, Impulsivity, Hyperactivity, Focus and Attention Issues, ADHD, Socially Inappropriate, Easily Distracted, Excessive Speech, Disorganized, Hyper-Emotional, Traumatic Brain Injury, Dementia, Learning Disorders, Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.  If you answered YES to one or more of these symptoms then there is a high probability that you are suffering from Global Delta / Theta Brain Wave Dysregulation.  Your Delta and Theta Waves, which engage when you are sleepy and when you sleep, are operating at levels that are either too high, too low or a combination of both.

what does it mean when a brain wave becomes dysregulated?

When a brain wave operates in an unregulated and disorderly fashion it is deemed to be “dysregulated.”  In simpler terms it has “gone off the reservation” and has ceased acting the way nature intended.  When this occurs symptoms appear.  There are “Global Brain Wave Dysregulation” patterns and “Focal Site Dysregulation” points.  In addition to these individual patterns and points, there are hundreds of potential combinations of the two dysregulation types.  In some cases these combinations can produce dozens of symptoms simultaneously.

what causes brain waves to dysregulate?

All brain wave dysregulation is the response to an event or series of events that triggered a prolonged stress response within the body.  Any perceived threat, poor nutrition, immunizations, emotional trauma, physical trauma, illness, addiction, emotionally toxic / high stress environments, medications and subluxation are examples of stress response triggers.  It is virtually impossible to live a normal life and not experience one or more of these stress triggers.

can dysregulated brain waves be treated with medication?

Dysregulated brain waves cannot be treated with medication.  However, some symptoms associated with brain wave dysregulation such as anxiety, depression or insomnia may be lessened with medication.  It is important to understand that with some extreme cases such as violent seizures, chronic ADHD, suicidal depression and debilitating anxiety medication may be absolutely necessary to maintain some sense of normalcy but will only provide a temporary reprieve.

How can I find out if my issues are the result of dysregulation?

Any neurofeedback provider will be able to determine if your issues are brain wave driven by conducting a Quantitative Electroencephalogram or QEEG (Brain Map.)  Unlike an EEG, which records brain wave activity over long periods of time, a QEEG is specifically designed to detect dysregulated brain wave patterns.  This is a simple procedure that requires a client to wear a nylon cap embedded with sensors.  For twelve minutes the clients brain wave activity and patterns will be recorded to determine if any dysregulation exists and a detailed report is then produced.

how much does a qeeg or brain map cost?

Brain Maps and the accompanying analysis and consultation can be quite expensive. We know of individuals that have paid as much as $2,000 for the procedure only to find that the results were “inconclusive.”  However, the average price for a Brain Map and Consultation is somewhere in the range of $500-$750.

where can i get a brain map and consultation free of charge?

In Southern Utah, Neurofeedback Centers of Utah provides complimentary Brain Maps, Analysis, Consultations and Detailed Reports at all of their centers.  This allows anyone to determine if their issues are brain based with no “out of pocket” expenditures.  To schedule a complimentary Brain Map and Consultation with Neurofeedback Centers of Utah call 435 216 7370 and select the center nearest you.  For additional information concerning Brain Mapping and Neurofeedback visit www.nfcenters.com.

 

 

Why Teens Are Impulsive, Addiction-Prone And Should Protect Their Brains

Teens can’t control impulses and make rapid, smart decisions like adults can — but why?

Research into how the human brain develops helps explain. In a teenager, the frontal lobe of the brain, which controls decision-making, is built but not fully insulated — so signals move slowly.

“Teenagers are not as readily able to access their frontal lobe to say, ‘Oh, I better not do this,’ ” Dr. Frances Jensen tells Fresh Air‘s Terry Gross.

Jensen, who’s a neuroscientist and was a single mother of two boys who are now in their 20s, wrote The Teenage Brain to explore the science of how the brain grows — and why teenagers can be especially impulsive, moody and not very good at responsible decision-making.

“We have a natural insulation … called myelin,” she says. “It’s a fat, and it takes time. Cells have to build myelin, and they grow it around the outside of these tracks, and that takes years.”

This insulation process starts in the back of the brain and heads toward the front. Brains aren’t fully mature until people are in their early 20s, possibly late 20s and maybe even beyond, Jensen says.

“The last place to be connected — to be fully myelinated — is the front of your brain,” Jensen says. “And what’s in the front? Your prefrontal cortex and your frontal cortex. These are areas where we have insight, empathy, these executive functions such as impulse control, risk-taking behavior.”

To read the full article click the link below:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/28/381622350/why-teens-are-impulsive-addiction-prone-and-should-protect-their-brains

About the Author: Dr. Frances Jensen is a professor and chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

http://www.nfcenters.com