Brain Mapping (Assessment)

The initial session for neurofeedback will be an "assessment" to record your brain's current baseline. This procedure is called a "quantitative EEG" (qEEG) and serves as both a "map" to determine what sort of training may be best for the patient, and a reference point to see one's progress after multiple training sessions. To ensure accurate results, the patient should avoid caffeine intake and prescription drugs that affect the nervous system before taking any EEG (including the qEEG).

An EEG, or an electroencephalography, monitors brain activity through the skull. EEG is used to help diagnose certain seizure disorders, brain tumors, brain damage from head injuries, inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord, alcoholism, certain psychiatric disorders, and metabolic and degenerative disorders that affect the brain. EEGs are also used to evaluate sleep disorders, monitor brain activity when a patient has been fully anesthetized or loses consciousness, and confirm brain death.

This painless, risk-free test can be performed in a doctor’s office, hospital or testing facility. A series of cup-like electrodes are attached to the patient’s scalp, either with a special conducting paste or with extremely fine needles. The electrodes (also called "leads") are small devices that are attached to wires and carry the electrical energy of the brain to a machine for reading. A very low electrical current is sent through the electrodes and the baseline brain energy is recorded. The electrodes transmit the resulting changes in brain wave patterns to a computer program which will store the information for analysis. Since movement and nervousness can change brain wave patterns, patients are usually asked to relax during the test, which can take around an hour to complete. Some facilities even provide recliners or beds to facilitate relaxation. Testing for specific disorders, however, requires the EEG to be performed while the patient is sleeping and takes least 3 hours to complete.

Neurofeedback Training

Neurofeedback trains skills of self-regulation. Self-regulation is a necessary part of good brain function, and self-regulation training allows the central nervous system to function better. Essentially, the training session programs are used to train brain function so that the brain gradually learns to function more efficiently.

​The Brainmaster 24E, BrainAvatar software provides real-time activities such as games, interactive soundtracks, video dimmer-screens and more which are controlled by the patient's brain waves. While the patient may only consciously see a character move and stop, or hear a song play discontinuously, the overall brain is actually moderating its own activity to more appropriate patterns which will allow for success in the game or to play a song continuously, for example. This feedback, along with the therapist's directions and suggestions, encourages the brain to eventually always function optimally - in the way that is rewarded by the training.