On this page, you can find answers to a number of frequently asked questions concerning neurofeedback therapy.
Feedback literally means receiving information about yourself from someone or something else. Biological systems such as the human body use internal feedback mechanisms to maintain a stable equilibrium. For example, if there is an excess of a particular hormone in your body, production of that hormone is decreased. Your entire body is kept in balance by feedback.
Neurofeedback works by providing you with feedback based on your brainwave patterns. Using an EEG, brainwaves are measured at various points on the brain. Based on this information, a trained therapist can see if your EEG is in imbalance, and to what degree it can be expected to improve.
To actively change the brainwave pattern of a client, neurofeedback uses operant conditioning. Operant conditioning involves rewarding desirable behavior and discouraging undesirable behavior. Brainwaves vary from moment to moment, and by rewarding you when the variations are in the desirable direction, you can train your brain to exhibit a more healthy brainwave pattern.
Because it is impossible for the majority of people to consciously affect their brainwaves, this information is presented indirectly, for example by means of a computer game. By linking this to your EEG, you are rewarded in the game when your brain produces the desired patterns. Naturally, you are not 'punished' when it does not; the reward is simply withheld. In this way, we apply unconscious operant conditioning to bring your brain back into a healthy brainwave pattern.
No. Only sensory electrodes are attached to the head: the electrodes only listen. They are not electrified, and you will not receive shocks. Hence, neurofeedback is completely unrelated to electroshock-therapy, and is not painful.
No game experience is needed and no tactics are involved. You do not even need to make any decisions in the game. If, in the context of the therapy, your brain produces the correct brainwave pattern, you make progress in the game and you get points added to your score. You do not need to control a character or solve complicated puzzles.
Yes. Besides the computergame, in which you are rewarded with points, there are other forms of feedback. We have a number of cartoons as well as full-length videos, in which you are rewarded by the screen becoming larger. Also, feedback can take place by sounds, or by various diagrams on the computer screen. Thus, if you prefer not to play a computer game, there are a number of good alternatives.
Yes. Because the training takes place using cartoons or computergames, neurofeedback is especially suitable for children.
A session takes roughly 1 hour, and we recommend following at least two sessions per week. If this proves impossible, it is also possible to follow 1 session per week, but this often means improvements take longer to manifest because the cumulative effect is lessened.
Yes. You can cancel or reschedule appointments via email or telephone. If you cancel appointments at least 24 hours in advance, you will not be charged. If you do not cancel appointments on time, it is unfortunately necessary to charge you for them.
No. You can eat and drink as usual before a neurofeedback session. As long as you are not under the influence of alcohol, other sedatives, or drugs, you can train normally.
In many cases results achieved through neurofeedback are lasting. One way to look at it is as follows: in the case of many disorders, a dysfunctional behavioral or functional pattern has 'worn in' over a large period of time. Using neurofeedback, the brain is conditioned to get out of this 'groove' and to go back to a healthier functional pattern. By means of repeated training, we endeavour to 'wear in' the desired pattern, so that it is lasting. Because you may have lived for years in the 'old' way, it is possible that you will slowly slip back into the old groove. It is also possible that environmental factors such as periods of stress or emotional trauma cause you to slip back into the old groove. If so, a few supporting neurofeedback sessions will usually suffice to bring you back onto the right track.
No. It is possible, however, that your personality will become more evident, by clearing up an undesirable behavioral pattern. For example, if you recover from depression, you will feel and behave differently, but your personality will not change per se.
Not yet. Neurofeedback training must always be administered under the guidance of a trained and experienced therapist. Furthermore, a certain amount of equipment is necessary. In the future, it is possible that we will, in certain circumstances and under intensive guidance, lease equipment for home use.
