Tag: Neurofeedback Therapy Training

How neurofeedback equipment works

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Neurofeedback, a form of biofeedback, in its current form, it is a cutting-edge technology that allows people to train their brains for improved mental performance and well-being. At the heart of neurofeedback lies sophisticated equipment designed to monitor and regulate brain activity. Here’s a closer look at how this innovative technology works.

Neurofeedback equipment usually consists of sensors, amplifiers, and a computer interface. The process begins with the placement of sensors on the scalp, which detect electrical signals produced by the brain. These signals, known as electroencephalography (EEG), represent the brain’s activity in real-time. Read more

Neurofeedback equipment types

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Home devices like the Muse are small and lightweight. Most are less than $400. I am still not convinced of the signal quality of these devices. They don’t tend to display a raw signal so it is difficult to tell if there is noise in the signal that would negatively impact the quality of the training. The feedback is based on changes in EEG. If the changes are due to noise and not real EEG, then the reinforcement would not be effective. When I have tried these devices in the past, my experience has been that the feedback is not clearly connected to the changes in my mental states. Other people have given me mixed reviews, some more positive, some negative. There are a few ways that these devices are used. One is for clients who are seeing a professional neurofeedback provider for in office sessions. They use the home device between office sessions. A second use if for virtual training with a professional. The client has the device at home and the professional coaches them virtually. The third use is for non-professionals to use at home on their own without supervision.

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Biofeedback Training for Psychologists

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Psychologists spend a lot of time performing psychological tests and doing talk therapy with their clients.  Many psychologists also have been adding tools and interventions like EMDR and biofeedback to help their clients.  To learn how to use biofeedback, psychologists can get training online.  This can be convenient because it doesn’t involve travel.  On the other hand, it doesn’t allow for the hands-on practice that takes place in an in-person training session.  It can also be beneficial to meet and work with other students during the training.  The networking and teamwork that happens can be invaluable.

Some training also includes APA Continuing Education credit which many psychologists need to maintain their license to practice.  There are many topics that could count towards this credit.  Biofeedback happens to be one of them.  The number of hours required for BCIA (Biofeedback Certification International Alliance) certification is 36 for Neurofeedback (A specialty area of biofeedback or EEG Biofeedback) and 42 hours for Biofeedback, otherwise known as peripheral biofeedback.

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Using Biofeedback to Learn Better Breathing

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Breathing is an essential function that impacts our physical and mental well-being. Even though it is vitally important, many of us pay little attention to the way we breathe. However, with biofeedback technology, there is a growing interest in using this innovative approach to teach and optimize breathing techniques. Biofeedback is a cutting-edge method that provides real-time data about physiological processes, enabling individuals to gain greater control over their bodily functions. Let’s explore how biofeedback can be a powerful tool for mastering the art of breathing.
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Increased Anxiety

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In recent years, there has been a significant increase in anxiety disorders across the world. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of individuals every year. While anxiety has always been present in our lives, the recent surge in anxiety levels can be connected to several factors.

One of the main factors is the rise of social media and technology. Social media has created a culture of comparison, where people compare their lives to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. The constant use of technology has also resulted in a lack of face-to-face communication, leading to increased loneliness and isolation, which can contribute to anxiety.

Another factor contributing to the recent increase in anxiety is the global pandemic. COVID-19 has brought about significant changes in our daily lives, leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and fear. The pandemic has resulted in social isolation, financial difficulties, and uncertainty about the future, all of which can contribute to anxiety and other mental health conditions.

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Biofeedback Applications in Education

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Biofeedback is a process that uses technology to measure and feed back information about a person’s physiology so that they can learn how to gain increased control over it.  It is used clinically in healthcare settings by licensed mental or physical medicine professionals including psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, physical therapists, chiropractors, nurses, occupational therapists, and rehab therapists.  It can also be used in educational settings.

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Adding The Intelligence of the Heart in Performance Enhancement Training

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R. Adam Crane BCIA Senior Fellow, BCIAEEG, NRNP Diplomate

Science of The Heart: The Role of the Heart in Human Performance

Introduction

For centuries the heart has been considered the source of emotion, courage and wisdom. Neurocardiology is the relatively new science of exploring the physiological mechanisms by which the heart communicates with the brain; thereby influencing information processing, perceptions, emotions and health. Neurocardiology asks questions such as: Why do people experience the feeling or sensation of love and other positive emotional states in the area of the heart, and what are the physiological ramifications of these emotions? How do stress and different emotional states affect the autonomic nervous system, the hormonal and immune systems, the heart and brain? Over the years scientists have experimented with different psychological and physiological measures, but consistently heart rate variability, or heart rhythms, stands out as one of the most dynamic and reflective measures of Read more