Neurofeedback

EEG Neurofeedback is becoming increasingly popular and as a consumer it is important that you recognize the basic entry into this field, that of Board Certification through the only certifying body the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance. Attending a training session does not imply certification in Neurofeedback. Verify board certification at BCIA.org. Look under your state and make sure BCN is listed, which indicates certification in neurofeedback.

The Association for Applied Psychophysiology (AAPB) and the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) strongly caution against entering treatment with a provider who is NOT Board Certified by BCIA. This is the first basic step to determine whether a provider has the required credential’s and experience to competently begin the process of performing EEG Neurofeedback.

Many clinicians, including those Board Certified, choose to use as little as 2 – 4 placements and do so using a symptom based “canned protocol” or a “one size fits all” approach. This is not evidenced based neurofeedback and does not adequately address neural networks that are linked to the presenting symptoms. These training sites may be based on 19 channel quantitative EEG’s or even “mini maps”. Mini-maps do not provide adequate information to address training sites and do not have a recognized normative data base, crucial in order to effectively interpret EEG data.

EEG Neurofeedback should be guided by the 19 channel quantitative EEG and in order to be effective treat the entire neural system by using 19 channels, not two or four placements.

Ideally, the quantitative EEG should be administered and interpreted by the same individual. When EEG data is sent to a second party it may be an indicator that the clinician does not possess the degree of knowledge required to independently link symptoms with areas of the brain that are impacted. Instead, the clinician will typically follow a standard protocol that is provided by the second party interpreting the map.

EEG Neurofeedback/Biofeedback training should use 19 channels of placement in order to integrate the information from the 19 channel quantitative EEG brain map. The brain is complex, and it functions with networks and a large number of metrics, not just within a small range or bandwidth of EEG activity.

We use Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) Z score EEG Neurofeedback/Biofeedback. LORETA Z score is currently the most advanced form of Neurofeedback available and is GUIDED by the 19 channel quantitative EEG (qEEG). It utilizes an evidenced based approach in the form of standard deviations or Z scores. It leads to more rapid changes than traditional surface neurofeedback based only on symptoms, limited training sites and canned protocols.

LORETA Neurofeedback yields optimal results in a shorter amount of time when using a full cap of 19 placements. Many clinicians choose to use as little as 2 – 4 placements and do so using a symptom based “canned protocol” or a “one size fits all” approach. This is not evidenced based neurofeedback and does not adequately address neural networks that are linked to the presenting symptoms.