Investigating Neurofeedback Protocols for Stress Mitigation: A Comparative Analysis of Different Stimulus Contents (original) (raw)
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Neurofeedback Training Content For Treatment Of Stress
IEEE, 2017
Stress is one of the major problems in society and is being treated using medicine and neurofeedback therapy. Neurofeedback therapy is usually successful. The contents as stimuli for neurofeedback training is not available for stress and anxiety. This paper focuses on giving a comprehensive and critical summary of available contents for neurofeedback training. It also establishes a need for the development of content as a stimulus for neurofeedback which trains the subject on how to control his brain activity, especially in stress condition. The developed content consists of audio and game. The game is used to reduce the power of high−beta brain power and the audio is used to enhance the amplitude of alpha brainwaves in right−prefrontal lobe. The experimental results show significant improvement in reducing stress level. The outcome is a proposed content for neurofeedback training to reduce stress, and it also improves the neurofeedback training efficacy.
IEEE Access
The neurofeedback stimulus content has direct implications for the efficacy of the psychophysiological applications for neurofeedback modality. In particular, enhancements of neurofeedback stimulus content can facilitate improvements in the efficacy of neurofeedback applications in clinical practice. To further elaborate on this aspect, this study introduced systematic enhancements in neurofeedback stimulus content by developing enhanced neurofeedback stimulus content for stress mitigation. The enhancements included the automatic selection of color of neurofeebdack stimulus content environment and instruction messages, as well as, the adaptive selection of threshold of quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) features, such as frontal alpha power and frontal alpha asymmetry. The enhancements were based on the outcomes from previous research on the selection of neurofeedback stimulus content for stress mitigation. The improvement in the efficacy of neurofeedback stimulus content was measured statistically by comparing the QEEG and topographic maps. In this study, electroencephalogram data from 20 participants were acquired during multiple sessions of neurofeedback. Analysis of variance and a post hoc test were used to verify the improvement in the efficacy of the neurofeedback application for stress mitigation after the enhancements of the neurofeedback stimulus content; a t-test was used to verify the statistical significance of the stress mitigation by the neurofeedback p < 0.05. The results indicate that the enhancement of the developed neurofeedback stimulus content facilitated stress mitigation during the early sessions of neurofeedback. In conclusion, the efficacy of neurofeedback can be improved using the developed stimulus content with enhancements. INDEX TERMS neurofeedback, EEG, alpha asymmetry, stress, stimulus content, QEEG I. INTRODUCTION N EUROFEEDBACK is a modality that trains the human brain based on real-time information extracted from electroencephalogram (EEG) data for the treatment of neurological disorders in clinical and non-clinical setting [1]-[3]. EEG data are acquired and processed in real-time during a
Effects of neurofeedback therapy in healthy young subjects
Clinical & Investigative Medicine, 2016
Purpose: Neurofeedback refers to a form of operant conditioning of electrical brain activity, in which desirable brain activity is rewarded and undesirable brain activity is inhibited. The research team aimed to examine the efficacy of neurofeedback therapy on electroencephalogram (EEG) for heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) parameters in a healthy young male population. Methods: Forty healthy young male subjects aged between 18 to 30 years participated in this study. Neurofeedback application of one session was made with bipolar electrodes placed on T3 and T4 (temporal 3 and 4) regions and with reference electrode placed on PF1 (prefrontal 1). Electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) were assessed during Othmer neurofeedback application of one session to regulate slow wave activity for forty minutes thorough the session. Data assessed before neurofeedback application for 5 minutes and during neurofeed...
Ecological validity of neurofeedback
NeuroReport, 2003
Biofeedback-assisted modulation of electrocortical activity has been established to have intrinsic clinical benefits and has been shown to improve cognitive performance in healthy humans. In order to further investigate the pedagogic relevance of electroencephalograph (EEG) biofeedback (neurofeedback) for enhancing normal function, a series of investigations assessed the training's impact on an ecologically valid real-life behavioural performance measure: music performance under stressful conditions in conservatoire students. In a pilot study, single-blind expert ratings documented improvements in musical performance in a student group that received training on attention and relaxation related neurofeedback protocols, and improvements were highly correlated with learning to progressively raise theta (5-8 Hz) over alpha (8-11 Hz) band amplitudes. These findings were replicated in a second experiment where an alpha/theta training group displayed significant performance enhancement not found with other neurofeedback training protocols or in alternative interventions, including the widely applied Alexander Technique. 2
Managing the Stress Response: The Use of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback with Olympic Athletes
Biofeedback, 2011
Excessive stress and tension are major threats to optimal athletic performance. The goal of this project was to help the athletes optimize the management of their stress response through self-awareness and self-regulation of the activation levels of their autonomic and central nervous systems. Fifteen elite athletes preparing for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics underwent an EEG and psychophysiological stress assessment, as well as a bio–neurofeedback (BNFK) training intervention. Both athletes and coaches reported that the bio–neurofeedback intervention helped the athletes in managing the stress of training and competition and was a factor in producing better performances.
Critical validation studies of neurofeedback
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2005
The field of neurofeedback training has largely proceeded without validation. Here we review our studies directed at validating SMR, beta and alpha-theta protocols for improving attention, memory, mood and music and dance performance in healthy participants. Important benefits were demonstrable with cognitive and neurophysiological measures which were predicted on the basis of regression models of learning. These are initial steps in providing a much needed scientific basis to neurofeedback, but much remains to be done.
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal, 2016
Neurofeedback is a kind of biofeedback, which teaches self-control of brain functions to subjects by measuring brain waves and providing a feedback signal. Neurofeedback usually provides the audio and or video feedback. Positive or negative feedback is produced for desirable or undesirable brain activities, respectively. In this review, we provided clinical and technical information about the following issues: (1) Various neurofeedback treatment protocols i.e. alpha, beta, alpha/theta, delta, gamma, and theta; (2) Different EEG electrode placements i.e. standard recording channels in the frontal, temporal, central, and occipital lobes; (3) Electrode montages (unipolar, bipolar); (4) Types of neurofeedback i.e. frequency, power, slow cortical potential, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and so on; (5) Clinical applications of neurofeedback i.e. treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, insomnia, drug addiction, schizophrenia, learning disabilities, dyslexia and dyscalculia, autistic spectrum disorders and so on as well as other applications such as pain management, and the improvement of musical and athletic performance; and (6) Neurofeedback softwares. To date, many studies have been conducted on the neurofeedback therapy and its effectiveness on the treatment of many diseases. Neurofeedback, like other treatments, has its own pros and cons. Although it is a non-invasive procedure, its validity has been questioned in terms of conclusive scientific evidence. For example, it is expensive, time-consuming and its benefits are not long-lasting. Also, it might take months to show the desired improvements. Nevertheless, neurofeedback is known as a complementary and alternative treatment of many brain dysfunctions. However, current research does not support conclusive results about its efficacy.
Evidence-based practice in biofeedback and neurofeedback
is a mind-body therapy using electronic instruments to help individuals gain awareness and control over psychophysiological processes (Gilbert & Moss, 2003; Moss, 2001; Schwartz & Andrasik, 2003). Biofeedback instruments measure muscle activity, skin temperature, electrodermal activity, respiration, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, brain electrical activity, and brain blood flow. Research shows that biofeedback, alone and in combination with other behavioral therapies, is effective for treating a variety of medical and psychological disorders, ranging from headache to hypertension to temporo-mandibular to attentional disorders. The present publication surveys these applications, and reviews relevant outcome research. Biofeedback is used by physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and others. Biofeedback therapies guide the individual to facilitate the learning of voluntary control over body and mind, and take a more active role in maintaining personal health and higher level mind-body wellness. Neurofeedback is a specialty field within biofeedback, which devotes itself to training control over electro-chemical processes in the human brain (LaVaque, 2003; Evans & Abarbanel, 1999). Neurofeedback uses a feedback electroencephalogram (EEG) to show the trainee current electrical patterns in his or her cortex. Many neurological and medical disorders are accompanied by abnormal patterns of cortical activity. Neurofeedback assessment uses a baseline EEG, and sometimes a multi-site quantitative EEG (QEEG), to identify abnormal patterns (LaVaque, 2003). Clinical training with feedback EEG then enables the individual to modify those patterns, normalizing or optimizing brain activity. Neurofeedback practice is growing rapidly, with the widest acceptance for applications to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, seizures, depression, acquired brain injuries, substance abuse, and anxiety (Clinical EEG, 2000). Complementary and Alternative Therapies Biofeedback and neurofeedback are ideal approaches for those individuals seeking comple mentary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies (Lake & Moss, in press). The public appears to seek out therapies which: 1) give the individual a more active role in his or her own health care, 2) involve a holistic emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, 3) are non-invasive, and 4) elicit the body's own healing response (Jonas & Levin, 1999; Moss, 2003a). James Gordon, the first chairman of the federal Advisory Council of the NIH Office of Alternative Medicine, emphasizes that educating individuals in self-care must be at the center of the new medicine, in order to deal with the changing picture of health problems today, especially the increasing incidence of chronic conditions (Gordon, 1996). Both biofeedback and neurofeedback are holistic therapies, based on the recognition that changes in the mind and emotions affect the body, and changes in the body also influence the mind and emotions. Biofeedback and neurofeedback emphasize training individuals to self-regulate, gain awareness, increase control over the ir bodies, brains, and nervous systems, and improve flexibility in physiologic responding. The positive effects of feedback training enhance health, learning and performance. There are biofeedback protocols to address many of the disorders, including anxiety, depression,
Practitioner Perspectives of Neurofeedback Therapy for Mental Health and Physiological Disorders
Journal of Neurotherapy, 2010
Introduction. This study utilized a systematic method to identify and to categorize practitioner perspectives related to neurofeedback therapy (NFT) for mental health and physiological disorders. We offer the identified themes for utilization in future research on practitioner variables influencing process and outcome variables, which adds to our knowledge and understanding of NFT. Method. Seventy-one practitioners completed online surveys gathering demographic information and responses to open-ended questions about advantages, disadvantages, practitioner characteristics, and essential components of NFT. We utilized Loftland and Loftland's (1984) systematic filing system and Berg's (2004) themes to concepts to analyze our data set, which allowed us to combine similar themes into categorical frameworks. Results. Our results provided five conceptual frameworks: advantages (84 concepts within 6 categories), disadvantages (53 concepts within 5 categories), knowledge (29 concepts in 4 categories), skills (35 concepts within 3 categories), and traits (36 concepts in 5 categories). Conclusion. An extensive number of themes revolved around three major findings. The first finding reported the ongoing NFT effectiveness of improving health conditions through symptom reduction and enhancing quality of life. The second finding emphasized an extensive practitioner commitment to overcoming the complexity of NFT. The final major finding described dissemination and financial issues related to NFT. Within this study, we expand on these issues and discuss the implication for future research and practice. We do not offer the findings within this study as a comprehensive list; rather, we offer this as a potential starting point for expanding the research of variables related to NFT.