A growing number of parents see neurofeedback as an appealing alternative to medication to treat their child’s ADHD. The treatment is relatively simple and painless. First, a practitioner attaches three to 10 electrodes to the child’s head. Each electrode sprouts a lead, or wire, connecting it to a computer. The child sits in front of a screen displaying images that respond to the child’s brain activity. When the child has the right kind of brain activity — the images are rewarding or positive, for example — puzzle pieces might fall into place. Proponents say this helps encourage better behavior over time. Follow this link and listen to “The Story” from the NPR website today November 1st, 2010.
This summer the Biofeedback Clinic and Certification Center (BCCC) at Widener University hosted two International students from Canada: Armen Lusikyan, vice president of operations and finance of Fawzia Sultan Rehabilitation Institute (FSRI), and Margaret Dupee, assistant researcher at University of Ottawa. Both sought out the program as it’s highly regarded internationally through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA).
As more and more healthcare employers are recognizing the significance of biofeedback, receiving the BCIA certification has become a standard of excellence in this field, and Widener is one of the few BCIA accredited university training programs in the region. Read the rest of this entry »
Dr Herbert Benson was recently featured on NPR in an interview with Diane Rehm. Dr Benson talks about his new book the “The Relaxation Revolution”. In this interview Dr Benson discusses the connection between the mind and body . He also discusses the power of using relaxation techniques and visualization for stress, pain,hypertension and a variety of ailments.
He also discusses that there is scientific proof that a mind-body reaction can actually changing gene activity. Meaning with proper relaxation training you can actually reverse the negative effects of stress on gene activity. Listen to the full program here
Dr Benson was a catalyst to my personal interest in biofeedback and is part of the reason I work in the field of biofeedback. His studies on Tibetan monks in the 80s showed the ability of the monks to actually control their own body temperature. Read the rest of this entry »
Updated:Based on a recent analysis of evidence-based studies, the American Academy of Pediatrics has now recognized biofeedback (EMG- Biofeedback) as clinically efficacious in the treatment of attention and hyperactivity disorders.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’s analysis determined that using these interventions improves attention and reduces hyperactivity. See the report from AAP here.
Phobias, such as the fear of flying, elevators or public speaking can disrupt people’s lives. Dr. Jon LaPook talks with psychologist Robert Reiner of Behavioral Associates in New York about how to overcome these fears with the help of virtual reality.
The Resperate, StressEraser and Emwave are biofeedback devices that can be used for Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) training. These devices help guide meditative breathing patterns, helping to open up blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely throughout the body. When we have fear or anxiety, the fight or flight response in our bodies will kick in, causing blood to flow to the core of our bodies. The devices help open up those blood vessels causing a relaxation effect.
