SELF-CONTROL STRATEGIES
WHAT IS NEURO-BIOFEEDBACK?
Neuro-biofeedback is a scientifically proven method through which people learn to self-regulate bodily functions by continuously visualising their inner state on a computer screen. This teaches them control over their own bodies and interaction with the mind, working on those symptoms that make their daily lives more difficult.
It is self-regulation training, and we could almost think of it as a personal training session. During the session, we train the brain to function at its maximum potential, a type of yoga for the brain, in a way similar to how we exercise and tone our bodies. This brain training tones and exercises the neuronal networks, with the aim of ensuring that the brain works as optimally as possible at all times. Through Neuro-biofeedback we seek to strengthen patients' personal resources, stimulate independence in problem solving, and working with them as they develop and improve. In short, we want to attain physical, mental and social harmony, based on the bio-psychosocial concept of health described by the WHO.
To do so, we design custom treatment plans, incorporating the most advanced neuro-psychological techniques, which let us learn to regulate functions over which we normally do not have conscious control.
“We understand diagnosis as the starting point for our work, not as a static psychopathological label.“
Neuro-biofeedback is an effective treatment that is compatible with other treatments and has represented a great help for children with symptoms of ADHD, to improve academic performance, reduce migraines, significantly improve brain function, increase concentration, reduce stress and anxiety, and also solve problems with insomnia.
This training technique is widespread and used extensively in countries including the United States, Canada, Holland and Germany. It must be applied by a therapist properly trained in Neuro-biofeedback and certified as an expert in this technique.
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
We all have experiences based on biofeedback. For example, when we learn to walk, our sensorial perceptions let us identify incorrect movements, which is negative feedback, and we receive information on which correct movements we must make.
A Neuro-biofeedback session consists of applying a series of painless sensors to the surface of the
scalp (active reference, background and artefact control sensors). These sensors measure cortical
activity throughout the training process.
Sensors may also be placed on the body to visualise breathing and heart rates and dermal activity.
The therapist gives the patient instructions on what activity to do (breathe while opening and closing
a flower, synchronise breathing and heart rates, which are displayed as coloured waves, lead a ladybird
through a labyrinth, raise or lower an airplane in the sky).
While the patient does the exercise, the therapist views and supervises neurophysiological parameters
and artefacts (motor and eye movements) on the monitor. In accordance with the dynamic of the session,
the therapist continues to modify the computational characteristics to adapt them to the patient's
development at all times.
Therapist-patient interaction is a key part of training.
One therapeutic session lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour.
This training lets patients obtain experiences in self-efficacy and interception that contribute to
greater control of their own behaviour and more efficient emotional regulation. Its application to
daily life is practiced both inside and outside the surgery so that it becomes automated.
TECHNOLOGY
Biofeedback and neurofeedback practice uses high-quality and last-generation technology to ensure precise and quick diagnosis, which is fundamental to effective therapy:
THERAPRAX OF THE NEUROCONN GERMAN COMPANY www.neuroconn.de
NEXUS-10 OF THE MIND MEDIA DUTCH COMPANY www.mindmedia.nl
HRV-SCANNER OF THE BIO-SIGN GERMAN COMPANY www.biosign.de