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qEEG Brain-Mapping & Neurofeedback Resources

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Enhancing sleep quality and memory in insomnia using instrumental sensorimotor rhythm conditioning.


Abstract

EEG recordings over the sensorimotor cortex show a prominent oscillatory pattern in a frequency range between 12 and 15 Hz (sensorimotor rhythm, SMR) under quiet but alert wakefulness. This frequency range is also abundant during sleep, and overlaps with the sleep spindle frequency band. In the present pilot study we tested whether instrumental conditioning of SMR during wakefulness can enhance sleep and cognitive performance in insomnia. Twenty-four subjects with clinical symptoms of primary insomnia were tested in a counterbalanced within-subjects-design. Each patient participated in a SMR- as well as a sham-conditioning training block. Polysomnographic sleep recordings were scheduled before and after the training blocks. Results indicate a significant increase of 12-15 Hz activity over the course of ten SMR training sessions. Concomitantly, the number of awakenings decreased and slow-wave sleep as well as subjective sleep quality increased. Interestingly, SMR-training enhancement was also found to be associated with overnight memory consolidation and sleep spindle changes indicating a beneficial cognitive effect of the SMR training protocol for SMR "responders" (16 out of 24 participants). Although results are promising it has to be concluded that current results are of a preliminary nature and await further proof before SMR-training can be promoted as a non-pharmacological approach for improving sleep quality and memory performance.



Differential effects of theta/beta and SMR neurofeedback in ADHD on sleep onset latency


Abstract

Recent studies suggest a role for sleep and sleep problems in the etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a recent model about the working mechanism of sensori-motor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback, proposed that this intervention normalizes sleep and thus improves ADHD symptoms such as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. In this study we compared adult ADHD patients (N= 19) to a control group (N= 28) and investigated if differences existed in sleep parameters such as Sleep Onset Latency (SOL), Sleep Duration (DUR) and overall reported sleep problems (PSQI) and if there is an association between sleep-parameters and ADHD symptoms. Secondly, in 37 ADHD patients we investigated the effects of SMR and Theta/Beta (TBR) neurofeedback on ADHD symptoms and sleep parameters and if these sleep parameters may mediate treatment outcome to SMR and TBR neurofeedback. In this study we found a clear continuous relationship between self-reported sleep problems (PSQI) and inattention in adults with- and without-ADHD. TBR neurofeedback resulted in a small reduction of SOL, this change in SOL did not correlate with the change in ADHD symptoms and the reduction in SOL only happened in the last half of treatment, suggesting this is an effect of symptom improvement not specifically related to TBR neurofeedback. SMR neurofeedback specifically reduced the SOL and PSQI score, and the change in SOL and change in PSQI correlated strongly with the change in inattention, and the reduction in SOL was achieved in the first half of treatment, suggesting the reduction in SOL mediated treatment response to SMR neurofeedback. Clinically, TBR and SMR neurofeedback had similar effects on symptom reduction in ADHD (inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity). These results suggest differential effects and different working mechanisms for TBR and SMR neurofeedback in the treatment of ADHD.



Alpha Theta Meditation: Phenomenological, Neurophysiologic, Mindfulness, Mood, Health and Sport Implications


Abstract


The aim of this investigation was to record a small group of participants’ experiences of a single session of an alpha theta meditation with special reference to its influence on perceptions of mindfulness and mood. An integral approach, with mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology was adopted. Qualitative research technology involved qualitative phenomenological descriptions of meditation derived experiences. Quantitative techniques included Infiniti neurofeedback instrumentation for EEG data recorded, and psychometric measures of mindfulness and mood states. There were 10 participants, 5 men and 5 women with mean age of 49 years and age range of 31 to 63 years. Participants experienced various consciousness transformation themes. These included adjustment, relaxation, absorption, imagery, being in the zone and transcendence. There were no significant changes were observed with regard to mindfulness and mood perceptions of anger, energy or fatigue. Contrary to expectations, the single alpha theta meditation was associated with elevated alpha and theta activity, as well as decrease in negative mood perceptions, especially with regard to anxiety, sadness and confusion scores. Comparisons with other meditation sessions indicated that the alpha theta meditation session was significantly associated with more alpha and beta activity. Integrated findings are in line with other studies which support the psychological value of alpha theta training.



Alpha-Theta Brainwave Neuro-Feedback for Vietnam Veterans with CombatRelated Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder



The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPl) was used 10 assess personality changes in Vietnam combat veterans with Post·Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After either traditional medical treatment (TC) or alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback therapy (BWT). Application of brainwave training for thirty 30·minute sessions resulted in decreases in MMPI T-scores on clinical scales labelled hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate, masculinity-femininity, paranoia. psychasthenia, schizophrenia, hypomania, and social introversion-extroversion. The traditional medical control group showed decreases in T-scores only on the scah labeled schIzophrenia. All fourteen BWT patients initially, receiving psychotropic medication reduced their dosages after treatment, but only one of thirteen TC patients reduced dosage. A thirty-month follow-up study showed that all fourteen TC patients had relapsed. In contrast only three of fifteen BWT patients. These findings indicate that application of alpha-theta brainwave training is a more efficacious treatment modality in the treatment of PTSD and prevention of relapse.