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Benefits Of Neurofeedback Therapy

The brain is the most dynamic organ of the human body and its role in day-to-day functioning is multifaceted. Neurofeedback therapy is a safe, non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical method of targeting the brain’s activity and training it to function in a more optimal way. This technique is a form of operant conditioning that allows the brain to recognize deviations in its own activity via feedback on a screen. Neurofeedback helps the brain to break down compensation mechanisms and build new connections, which can result in improved symptoms, better cognitive functions, higher quality of sleep, and more.

Research has demonstrated numerous benefits as a result of Neurofeedback therapy. For example, one of the rising problems in neurology is traumatic brain injuries and concussions. In fact, from 2006 to 2014 the number of TBI-related emergency department visits increased by 53% and in 2014 alone, there were 2.87 million TBI-related hospital visits and deaths, 837 000 of these events were among children (CDC, 2019). Neurofeedback therapy is an effective way to address concussion and traumatic brain injuries. A study consisting of 60 participants diagnosed with TBI, showed that the 30 participants who underwent alpha-theta Neurofeedback training protocols, showed significant improvements in clinical symptom severity, perceived stress, and reduced serum levels of cortisol in contrast to the 30 participants who were treated with general TBI therapies (Bennet, C., Gupta, R., Prabhakar, P., Sampath, S., Thennarasu, K., & Rajeswaram, J., 2018).

In addition to relieving symptoms associated with post-concussion and traumatic brain injuries, Neurofeedback therapy has many other benefits and can be implemented in the cases of numerous different disorders. Some of these benefits include:

  1. First and foremost, Neurofeedback therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and drug-free method of treatment.
  2. Enhanced quality of sleep and relaxation.
  3. Boosts working memory and attention/focus.
  4. Reduced anxiety and improved mood states.
  5. Alleviation or minimization of chronic symptoms such as pain, headaches/migraines, dizziness, ringing in the ears (Tinnitus), and more.

There is an extensive list of benefits that Neurofeedback therapy can have in addition to the above mentioned. It is useful as a tool for peak performance improvements as well in aspects such as coordination and timing. Through Neurofeedback therapy, you can address deviations in brain activity, communication, and autonomic nervous system functioning to optimize individual health and outcomes.

References

Bennett, C. N., Gupta, R. K., Prabhakar, P., Christopher, R., Sampath, S., Thennarasu, K., & Rajeswaran, J. (2018). Clinical and biochemical outcomes following EEG neurofeedback training in traumatic brain injury in the context of spontaneous recovery. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 49(6), 433-440. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). TBI: get the facts. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html