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Neurofeedback: An effective therapy to control brain functions
Medically reviewed by
Development of human brain, that continues to baffle and bamboozle the scientific community,
has been one of the most significant aspect of man’s evolutionary progress.
India’s pantheon of spiritual wisdom has dwelt at length and for aeon on the ways to tame the brain or ‘Buddhi’ to make it perform efficiently. Today, Neurofeedback therapy is found to be useful in the control of brain function.
Effective tool
But, what is neurofeedback? It is a direct method of training the brain to function in an efficient manner. The brain is observed in action through a laptop-screen linked to the scalp by a set of sensors.
Neurofeedback has emerged as an effective tool to train the brain and cure any functional anomalies in it, manifesting in the form of ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Primary Care for School-Age Children and Adolescents.
Self-regulation
Neurofeedback is a kind of biofeedback using real-time displays of brain activity or electro encephalography (EEG), to teach self-regulation. Sensors are attached to the scalp of a person to measure brain activity. The measurements are then shown on screen for the person to watch and then try and control his brain function.
Efficient or inefficient?
Opinions vary on the efficacy of the neurofeedback method to deal with ADHD or other mental issues. A conclusive evidence about its effectiveness is yet to emerge. Though in numerous cases it is found to be effective. Some experts argue for it saying there has been no adverse side-effects of the method. They maintain that standard neurofeedback protocols for ADHD, like theta/beta, SMR and slow cortical potentials are thoroughly investigated and have demonstrated specificity.
More takers now!
However, in recent years the neurofeedback has found an increasing number of takers including experts using it an alternative therapy to teach the brain to stay calm and focused. Experts say that though Neurofeedback is expensive (needing a minimum of 40 sessions costing thousands of dollars), takes too much time and yet to be scientifically proved but there is evidence to prove its usefulness.
Dos and Don’ts
As an increasing number of parents are opting for neurofeedback to treat their children for ADHD here are a few dos and don’ts for them:
- It is important to make sure that neurofeedback session is done with a professional
- It is important to ensure practitioner holds a certificate from Biofeedback Certification International Alliance
- Practitioner needs to be licensed with specialization in psychological or medical disorders
- Important to ensure practitioner jells well with your child before he begins with the session
- Quiz practitioner about the methods he or she is using and ask if it is the latest one
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A long way to go
To conclude, it is a point worth mentioning that neurofeedback is yet to pass the litmus test and become a standard, recognized system to cure mental issues like ADHD. But what has given rise to hope is that a person or child has shown durable signs of recovery at the end of the therapy. For the neurofeedback it is still a long way to go.
