Are you zapping my brain?
Contrary to what neurofeedback may sound like, it is unfortunately not a technique where one zaps your brain. We wish it was that easy. Like many things, the only way to improve is when we get ‘feedback’ on our current performance, make little adjustments, try again and repeat the process. This feedback process helps us to learn how to perform better.
This feedback and learning process was in action as we learnt to walk, as we picked up languages, as we played sports, gave a presentation and worked on mathematics. Our ability to continually improve is related to our capacity to receive and use feedback.
Neurofeedback, is the latest in technology for giving your brain feedback. With this feedback your brain can then be trained to perform. More efficiently. More consistently.
What are you putting on my head!?
The things which are ‘stuck’ (temporarily) onto your head are just receptors or sensors. They are only able to receive information, or feedback, about how your brain is operating. Very similar to when you listen to your heart beat. Instead of heart beats neurofeedback monitors your brain waves.
Am I playing X-box?
We wish! Our technology, translates your brain activity into waves which is displayed in two different forms on a screen. One screen shows the boring stuff which the technician sees, the second is screen shows you the game. If you want to know more specifics to how it works click here.
How long has neurofeedback been around?
As humans we have been fascinated by our brain since 4,000BC when the euphoriant effect of poppy plants was stumbled upon. After all many suggest our amazing human brain is what gives us an advantage over every other animal. Over the last few decades technology has opened up a new world for us to tap into the brain’s magnificent ability to perform the most remarkable of things. Neurofeedback springs out of these new discoveries and technology.
The beginnings of neurofeedback date back to the discovery of brain waves in 1924 by German psychiatrist Hans Berger. Subsequently, in the 1960s Barry Sterman while working for NASA, made the amazing discovery that brain training could increase resistance to seizures. Sterman continued his research, expanding the field during the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1990s, Sue and Sigfried Othmer, in search for healing for their son’s seizures discovered and released neurofeedback into clinical applications. Therapeutic use includes applications for addictions, anxiety, ADHD/ADD, chronic pain, depression, epilepsy, learning disabilities, migraines, strokes and many other conditions. In this new millennium, neurofeedback technology has advanced to now include performance enhancement for athletes, executives and students. At PEAK, our vision is to carry on the development of neurofeedback and advance its applications for peak performance so that you can be on top of your game.
For more research and findings click here.
Does neurofeedback have any side effects?
Neurofeedback is not like taking medication. It rarely produces negative side effects. In fact it is one of the major reasons for its application. Neurofeedback can be likened to training for a marathon with a professional trainer. If you are asked to run 40kms on your first attempt, your body will just not be able to do it. Similarly our amazing brains have a self-protecting mechanism which prevents it from being trained in harmful ways. In addition, our professional PEAK Trainers monitor your progress and will help you to achieve the best training outcomes.
How long does neurofeedback training take to work?
This varies between individuals due to different strengths and weaknesses in each brain. Some clients may notice a difference within five sessions while others may take up to ten sessions to report progress. Effective training usually requires between 20 to 40 sessions depending on the clients goals and brain function.
Do the effects of neurofeedback training last?
Yes. As the brain learns, it builds what we call ‘neuro-pathways’. New neuro-pathways are being built every minute we live, an average of 1,000,000 every second. These pathways help us remember what we learn and the more we use these pathways the stronger they get. As the saying goes ‘once we learn to ride a bike we never forget’. During neurofeedback, we help the brain build ‘high performance’ pathways. The more training we receive the stronger and longer the effects lasts. Effects of neurofeedback can be life long. Often clients find it advantageous to get a booster session of neurofeedback just before high performance events like exams, trials or important meetings.
How do you know how to train a particular brain?
Over the years, certain training protocols have been developed that are helpful with certain classes of problems such as attention, anxiety and depression, seizures and migraines, as well as cognitive function and peak performance. There are a number of assessment tools we use to help us decide which protocols to use. These include diagnostic (brain map, IVA and TOVA) and neuropsychological (interview) tests.
What is involved for the initial assessments?
Assessments can be performed in one 3.5hr session or broken up into multiple sessions to suit your needs.
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Checklists and Interview [1 hour]
Checklists such as the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist and Perl Child Checklist are provided for parents to fill in to determine issues that the child may be facing to facilitate the program protocols to target problem behaviours and maximise desired results. The Perl Adult Checklist is used for those who are 18yrs and older. An initial comprehensive interview is also conducted to acquire background information that will help with the customised program protocols.
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TOVA (Tests of Variables of Attention) [30 min]
- The TOVA is an objective, neurophysiological measure of attention, not a subjective rating of behaviour.
- It is a 21.6 minute long simple "computer game" that measures responses to either visual or auditory stimuli. These measurements are then compared to the measurements of a group of people without attention disorders who have been administered the TOVA.
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IVA (Integrated Visual Auditory Continuous Performance Test) [20 min]
- IVA runs the visual and auditory tests together.
- The brain has to respond to the stimuli, as in the TOVA, but must also determine whether the stimulus is visual or auditory.
- This makes the test slightly more complicated than the TOVA (brain switching and/or sensory overload).
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QEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalography) Brain Map [1 – 1.5 hours]
A QEEG brain map measures the different frequencies of electrical activity that are generated from the brain. These frequencies called delta, theta, alpha and beta provide the PEAK trainer with information concerning the active state of various regions of the brain, effectively producing a map of the brain’s activity.
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Psychological Interview and Review of Results [45 min – 1 hour]
The results from the 3 assessments are reviewed by a clinical psychologist and an individualised training protocol is determined to help maximise the desired results.
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