Evidence-Based Research
Many Conditions Benefit from Neurofeedback
Dating back to the 1960s and 1970s, Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback and neurobiofeedback, has become a complementary therapy with many applications to brain and nervous system diagnoses. Neurofeedback has been shown to improve performance (including help with dyslexia and learning disorders), memory, insomnia and other sleep issues. In addition, it can help with mental health diagnoses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), addiction, anger management, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette’s, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can improve symptomology of organic brain disorders including autism, injury, seizures, epilepsy, and stroke. It can assist with symptoms related to chronic pain, migraines, and fibromyalgia.
Selected Quotes from Researchers
“In light of the frequent adverse effects and costs associated with lifelong pharmacotherapy, we view EEG biofeedback therapy, not as a ‘last resort’ option to be restricted solely to pharmacotherapy-resistant cases but rather as a generally viable consideration for any patient suffering from seizures.”
M.Barry Sterman, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Departments of Neurobiology and Biobehavioral Psychiatry, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA;
“Neurofeedback participants made more prompt and greater improvements in ADHD symptoms, which were sustained at the 6-month follow-up, than did CT participants or those in the control group. This finding suggests that neurofeedback is a promising attention training treatment for children with ADHD.”
Naomi J. Steiner, MD, Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center conceptualized and designed the study with assistance from colleagues. Source
“Twenty-four sessions of neurofeedback produced significant improvements in PTSD symptomatology in multiply traumatized individuals with PTSD who had not responded to at least six months of trauma-focused psychotherapy, compared to a waitlist control group that continued to receive treatment as usual… Neurofeedback is a promising change agent for habitual dysfunctional neuronal patterns.”
Bessel A. van der Kolk ,Hilary Hodgdon,Mark Gapen,Regina Musicaro,Michael K. Suvak,Ed Hamlin, Joseph Spinazzola Source
Neurofeedback Societies Maintaining Research Bibliographies
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The International Society for Neurofeedback and Research maintains a comprehensive bibliography of research articles discussing conditions that are positively affected by neurofeedback by D. Corydon Hammond, PhD, Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Utah School of Medicine and D. Allen Novian, PhD, LMFT, LPC-S, Adjunct Professor, Neurofeedback and Biofeedback, St. Mary’s University. ISNR also has an editorial in defense of EEG biofeedback.
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The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback published Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback (3rd ed.) which provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date evidence-based and neuroscientifically supported information on the subject. They also have more information for consumers.