The science behind Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is emerging as a powerful tool for enhancing brain function, supported by growing scientific evidence.
This page explores the research, case studies, and mechanisms.
"The human brain is just a complex machine, composed of billions of neurons,
and in the end, it is just another part of the universe."
Stephen Hawking
Research and evidence
Studies such as those by Hammond (2011) and Roth et al. (2020) highlight the importance of customizing brainwave training to address specific neural dysregulations in patients with PTSD and other mental health conditions. Personalized neurofeedback offers higher success rates in symptom management.
A 2018 study by the American Psychological Association found that combining neurofeedback with traditional therapies significantly reduces PTSD symptoms compared to conventional treatments alone. This holistic approach improves cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and overall brain function..
Publications
Escolano et al. (2014)
This study demonstrated that eight sessions of neurofeedback training aimed at increasing alpha activity resulted in improvements of 10-25% in focus and cognitive performance in healthy adults.”
Stress onder controle met neurofeedback
Stressgerelateerde aandoeningen behoren wereldwijd tot de grootste uitdagingen in de gezondheidszorg die om innovatieve oplossingen vragen. In recent onderzoek stellen Florian Krause, David Linden en Erno Hermans hedendaagse neurofeedback voor als een veelbelovende methode om deze stoornissen aan te pakken, wat hoop biedt voor miljoenen mensen over de hele wereld.
Stressgerelateerde stoornissen hebben zich snel ontwikkeld tot een groot mondiaal gezondheidsprobleem. Traditionele behandelingen, waaronder therapie en medicatie, schieten voor veel patiënten vaak tekort. Met de COVID-19 pandemie en andere wereldwijde crises zijn deze problemen alleen maar erger geworden. Dit groeiende maatschappelijke probleem vraagt dringend om actie en meer effectieve interventies. Lees meer op radboudumc
Neurofeedback for trauma & PTSD
Schneider et al. (2021)
One of the most exciting recent trends is neurofeedback’s effectiveness in treating trauma and PTSD. As awareness of trauma’s long-lasting effects on the brain grows, neurofeedback is becoming an increasingly popular alternative treatment.
A 2021 systematic review in the Journal of Clinical Psychology concluded that neurofeedback shows promise in treating PTSD by reducing hyperarousal, intrusive thoughts, and emotional dysregulation. Schneider et al. (2021) found significant improvement in PTSD patients after neurofeedback treatment, specifically in regulating the amygdala and prefrontal cortex regions.
Vernon et al. (2003)
Research found that neurofeedback training led to improvements in attention and executive functions, with an effect size of 0.6-0.7 in healthy participants
Stress-related disorders under control
- Recent neuroscientific research has shown that stress-related disorders are characterized by maladaptive dynamic changes in large-scale brain networks in response to stressors, raising the possibility of modulating these networks as a promising target for intervention.
- Neurofeedback can be used to train individuals to endogenously modulate brain network dynamics. Once learned, this skill is transferrable to ecologically relevant scenarios outside of a laboratory or treatment facility, and individuals can be trained to explicitly apply it at the right moments as part of a just-in-time adaptive intervention in response to actual stressors in daily life.
Read more…
References
Are you looking for more evidence before committing to neurofeedback therapy, here are some key sources:
Hammond, D. C. (2011)
Neurofeedback for the treatment of PTSD. Journal of Neurotherapy.
Schneider, E. et al. (2021)
The impact of neurofeedback on PTSD: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Roth, R. et al. (2020)
Personalizing neurofeedback for trauma recovery: Advances and insights. Trauma and Recovery Journal.
Sahin, A. et al. (2023)
Cognitive enhancement using neurofeedback: A meta-analysis. Neuroscience and Neurotherapy.
Found that neurofeedback training can enhance cognitive performance, including attention span, memory retention, and decision-making abilities. These findings are fueling the use of neurofeedback in fields like education, sports, and business.
How Google used neurofeedback
Google has integrated neurofeedback techniques into its employee wellness programs to boost productivity, creativity, and mental well-being. Neurofeedback helps employees regulate brain function through real-time brain activity displays. In addition to mindfulness programs, Google has filed patents for attention-based neurofeedback training, highlighting its commitment to this field. These efforts reflect Google’s dedication to using neuroscience to foster a supportive and innovative workplace, improving both employee well-being and organizational performance
Explore neurofeedback to support employee development
In addition to mindfulness programs, Google has also explored neurofeedback methods to further support employee development. For example, Google has filed patents related to attention-based neurofeedback training, indicating a commitment to advancing this area. Google Patenten
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How Nasa used neurofeedback
Astronauts and pilots often operate in environments requiring extreme focus, quick decision-making, and emotional regulation. NASA explored neurofeedback as a way to train the brain to maintain peak performance under these high-stress conditions. By monitoring brainwaves and providing real-time feedback, neurofeedback helped individuals achieve optimal mental states, such as heightened focus or relaxation when necessary.
To enhance alertness
Manages complex data streams
Help astronauts manage stress
Space missions involve irregular sleep cycles, leading to fatigue and reduced cognitive function. NASA used neurofeedback to help regulate brain activity and improve sleep quality, ensuring astronauts remained alert and cognitively sharp during critical mission tasks.
Pilots and astronauts often deal with “cognitive overload,” where the brain processes a massive amount of information simultaneously. Neurofeedback training was employed to help individuals manage this load more effectively, maintaining clarity and calmness even in overwhelming situations.
NASA utilized the Life Sciences Data Archive to study how brainwave patterns impact performance in space. Neurofeedback was also tested in simulations and training to help astronauts manage stress and task overload, highlighting its value in optimizing performance in demanding environments.