Neurofeedback

Overview

Neurofeedback is state-of-the-art training for your brain. This non-invasive treatment relies on an audio or visual stimulus such as a video game or movie to condition you to increase or inhibit brain waves in order to more effectively manage emotional, behavioral and cognitive conditions.

Principles

Neurofeedback, also referred to as electroencephalogram biofeedback, trains you to self-regulate targeted brain activity.

The targeted location identified on a brain map that is developed using quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG). qEEG values are compared with those of people in a similar demographic group in order to determine the location and develop a brain map of the neural activity associated with a specific behavior or set of symptoms.

While you play a game or watch a video program on a computer, brain wave data is gathered from a 19-channel headset. The headset provides real-time EEG feedback to the computer. You watch the data as it is collected, observing the level of activity in the areas identified on the brain map.

This feedback acts as the ‘remote control,’ conditioning your brain to inhibit certain brain waves and increase others so that you make progress on the game or video program. Winning the game or streaming the video “rewards” brain waves for working within the targeted range, and ultimately, achieving the desired activity level for improved cognitive and behavioral function.

Conditions Treated

Studies have shown that neurofeedback may be beneficial in addressing:

• Anxiety
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Athletic performance
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Chronic pain
• Concussion
• Depression
• Emotional and developmental issues
• Executive function
• Headaches
• Learning issues
• Memory
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sleep issues
• Traumatic brain injury

Children may respond positively to neurofeedback for:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism
• Emotional and developmental issues
• Learning issues
• Test and social anxiety

Neurofeedback is also used to help individuals achieve their best athletic performance.

Services

You may schedule a neurofeedback appointment with a Samueli Institute neurofeedback provider directly; no referral is required.

A typical appointment is about one hour. The first visit is a consultation, and the second visit will be a qEEG brain map using a no-gel headset. You and your provider will work together to determine the number and frequency of treatments based, in part, upon your symptoms, personal behavioral health goals and response to treatment.

Why Choose Us?

At the Samueli Institute, every treatment plan is personalized for an individual to achieve his or her best brain health. We care for the whole person. All aspects of your health and wellbeing are taken into consideration, with services introduced as needed to reduce or alleviate symptoms. Our process, state-of-the-art qEEG and neurofeedback equipment, and each provider has more than 20 years of experience to give you the tools for self-regulation, empowering you to maintain and even continue to improve your brain health.

Price

Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute accepts a variety of insurance plans or private pay. Your visit may be subject to copay and deductible.

Please contact us at 949.824.7000 for more information.

Research

Early research supports the safety and effectiveness of neurofeedback treatment for many brain-related conditions.

Clinical Effectiveness of EEG Neurofeedback as a Personalized and Multimodal Treatment in ADHD: A Critical Review. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 17, 637–648. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S251547

Hong, J., & Park, J. H. (2022). Efficacy of Neuro-Feedback Training for PTSD Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(20), 13096. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013096

Hou, Y., Zhang, S., Li, N., Huang, Z., Wang, L., & Wang, Y. (2021). Neurofeedback training improves anxiety trait and depressive symptom in GAD. Brain and behavior, 11(3), e02024. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2024

Monastra, V. J.; Lubar, J. F.; & Linden, M. (2001). The development of a quantitative electroencephalographic scanning process for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder: Reliability and validity studies. Neuropsychology, 15(1), 136–144. https://doi.org/10.1037//0894-4105.15.1.136

Patel, K., Sutherland, H., Henshaw, J., Taylor, J. R., Brown, C. A., Casson, A. J., Trujillo-Barreton, N. J., Jones, A. K. P., & Sivan, M. (2020). Effects of neurofeedback in the management of chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. European journal of pain (London, England), 24(8), 1440–1457.

Patil, A. U., Lin, C., Lee, S. H., Huang, H. W., Wu, S. C., Madathil, D., & Huang, C. M. (2023). Review of EEG-based neurofeedback as a therapeutic intervention to treat depression. Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging, 329, 111591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111591

Psychophysiological Assessment Can Enhance ADHD Diagnosis and Training. BioSource Faculty. Biosource Software. 2023.