Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is one treatment we have started with Ruby recently. After an evaluation and several training appointments at Neurocore, we decided to rent a home neurofeedback machine. Ruby needs a lot of work with the machine so we can get more sessions in if we do it at home. Thanks again for all your donations from the pancake breakast; this is one of the things that your support is helping to pay for!

The idea behind this treatment, is that the brain can be trained to produce or not produce certain electrical frequencies. Ruby's theta brainwaves (the slow brainwaves that are usually most present during rest or sleep) are very prevalent all through the day, whether she is sleeping or not. She has other good brainwave activity going on, but the slow waves are kind of taking over, causing sleep problems and seizures. Our goal with neurofeedback is to decrease the frequency of the theta waves. To do this, we hook three EEG wires to Ruby's head. The computer then displays her brainwaves and we set the program to play music only if her brainwaves are staying at certain frequencies. Whenever her theta gets too high, the music stops playing. Her brain doesn't like this, so eventually, over time, the computer teaches her brain to keep the theta waves at a lower frequency.

It is a fascinating idea and we know it has worked for a lot of people, so we are very hopeful. The nice thing about this treatment is that it has no weird or nasty side effects. The only side effect we have seen so far is that she is a little tired after her sessions, but that is not a problem. Ruby is one of the youngest clients Neurocore has worked with, so we are not sure how that will affect the treatment. Only time will tell, so for now, we will keep hooking her up to the machine. Hopefully soon I will have positive changes to report.

If you have used neurofeedback or know someone who has, I would love to hear about your experience with it. Leave me a comment and tell me what you thought! Also, if you want more info on neurofeedback, A Symphony in the Brain by Jim Robbins is a great book and an easy read-- it explains the evolution of the science of neurofeedback.

A few pictures of Ruby doing neurofeedback.....