clinical applications
Research Papers
Methodological Note: Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design, Methodology and Clinical Applications
Neurofeedback is a kind of biofeedback, which teaches self-control of brain functions to subjects by measuring brain waves and providing a feedback signal. Neurofeedback usually provides the audio and or video feedback. Positive or negative feedback is produced for desirable or undesirable brain activities, respectively. In this review, we provided clinical and technical information about the following issues: (1) Various neurofeedback treatment protocols i.e. alpha, beta, alpha/theta, delta, gamma, and theta; (2) Different EEG electrode placements i.e. standard recording channels in the frontal, temporal, central, and occipital lobes; (3) Electrode montages (unipolar, bipolar); (4) Types of neurofeedback i.e. frequency, power, slow cortical potential, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and so on; (5) Clinical applications of neurofeedback i.e. treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, insomnia, drug addiction, schizophrenia, learning disabilities, dyslexia and dyscalculia, autistic spectrum disorders and so on as well as other applications such as pain management, and the improvement of musical and athletic performance; and (6) Neurofeedback softwares. To date, many studies have been conducted on the neurofeedback therapy and its effectiveness on the treatment of many diseases. Neurofeedback, like other treatments, has its own pros and cons. Although it is a non-invasive procedure, its validity has been questioned in terms of conclusive scientific evidence. For example, it is expensive, time-consuming and its benefits are not long-lasting. Also, it might take months to show the desired improvements. Nevertheless, neurofeedback is known as a complementary and alternative treatment of many brain dysfunctions. However, current research does not support conclusive results about its efficacy.
View Full Paper →Diagnostic and therapeutic utility of neuroimaging in depression: an overview
A growing number of studies have used neuroimaging to further our understanding of how brain structure and function are altered in major depression. More recently, these techniques have begun to show promise for the diagnosis and treatment of depression, both as aids to conventional methods and as methods in their own right. In this review, we describe recent neuroimaging findings in the field that might aid diagnosis and improve treatment accuracy. Overall, major depression is associated with numerous structural and functional differences in neural systems involved in emotion processing and mood regulation. Furthermore, several studies have shown that the structure and function of these systems is changed by pharmacological and psychological treatments of the condition and that these changes in candidate brain regions might predict clinical response. More recently, "machine learning" methods have used neuroimaging data to categorize individual patients according to their diagnostic status and predict treatment response. Despite being mostly limited to group-level comparisons at present, with the introduction of new methods and more naturalistic studies, neuroimaging has the potential to become part of the clinical armamentarium and may improve diagnostic accuracy and inform treatment choice at the patient level.
View Full Paper →Use of Biofeedback in the Treatment of Seizure Disorders and Hyperactivity
During the past 15 years, considerable basic research and applied effort has been directed toward developing methods for controlling internal physiological processes. These processes include autonomic functions, both unit and gross (summated) neuromuscular activity, and central neural electrophysiological responses, all of which may be modifiable through the application of behavioral methods. Psychophysiology is the discipline most concerned with this type of research. A relatively new applied branch of psychophysiology, now known as biofeedback, is undergoing rapid development to fulfill basic research and clinical needs related to the control of physiological processes.
Clinical Application of Biofeedback Training in Epilepsy
The research on biofeedback training in epilepsy is reviewed, with special regard to 1) extinction treatment of sensory induced epilepsia, and 2) sensory motor rhytm (SMR) feedback, where increase in SMR is supposed to decrease clinical seizures. Two cases, one of each of the two treatment techniques, illustrate the procedures. It is concluded that the extinction procedure is ready for clinical application, whereas SMR biofeedback is in need of further study before it can be recommended for general clinical application.
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