Neurofeedback Systems - Does it matter?

[mjwill]

Hello all,

My 5 yr old daughter has absence seizures and we are in the process of shopping for neurofeedback systems. We are lucky enough to have a certified provider in town that we will be using as our guide/consultant as we get started. I would welcome any opinion on why we should purchase one system over another.

Thanks!

Matt

[keyna]

I have never heard of this and would alo welcome any info on it.

[Stacy]

PURCHASE???!!! OH Wow. Don't purchase. Usually these neurofeedback systems only take anywhere from 5 times (then finished) to 6 months and cost thousands of dollars. If the benefits outweigh the cost then purchase, but know you will have to have someone putting the electrodes on the proper spot (putting them on wrong messes things up) and doing it every time. Good luck.

[Stacy]

Neurofeedback is basically a computer program that teaches the two halves of your brain (usually mapped out before hand) to communicate properly. It takes a while, but in the end, your body gets used to it, and functions properly... kind of like getting off of an addiction. Your body would act differently for a time, and then one day, you notice you are well... and over your addiction. While Neurofeedback is no addiction, your body does take some time to understand it.

Love, Stace

[Bernard]

Hi Matt, welcome to the forum.

It would be preferable IMO to seek neurofeedback training with a trained professional rather than purchase a machine and try to learn, master and self-administer it. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I'm not sure it's worth the investment in time, money and effort.

Stacy has used several different machines over the years. I think she is using (under the care of a trained professional) a Brainmaster system currently.

You could also try sending a private message (PM) to Kurt for more insight on the different systems that are available.

We are lucky enough to have a certified provider in town...

Doesn't the certified provider have their own machine? What does s/he recommend?

[mjwill]

I wanted to keep my initial question simple but I will add some more context to it given the replies I have received so far. We have already been to 15 sessions, but it was a 2 hr drive and eventually also decided the level of care we received was not worth it. We have other options for providers, but they are also 2hrs away. I have always had an interest in biofeedback, even before this personal situation made it interesting in a different way. I am a neuroscientist by training, although I have never had clinical training or neurofeedback training (although I might get certified). In addition to these variables making the home system attractive, I think the home setting for my daughter's personality will facilitate the training in various ways. We believe that if this works, it will be at least 50 sessions and given our insurance coverage (minimum), the purchasing a system is actually going to be economically the smart thing to do. I know that there are many different opinions on not only methodology, but also the systems used, so I was hoping to solicit any solid reasoning to avoid one system or seriously consider another system. Thanks again for the replies and all future ones!

Matt

[bedolaga]

Hi to all!

I'm from Russia, Eastern Siberia, and there is no any NFB - specialist nearby.

So, I'd bought NFB machine Atlantis from BrainMaster company (Tom Collura), found almost all literature and manuals about NFB for epileptics and now train my wife by myself.

Actually, this BrainMaster is not very pricey, but quality of hard and software are pretty good. Also, there is closed group on yahoo.com, where any registered user can get prompt help from Tom Collura and his team.

So, 2 thumbs up for BrainMaster.


Best to all!

[RobinN]

We have a consultation on Monday, with the EEG Institute. I hope to learn much more about this interesting therapy.

Stacy... do you actually feel it within your thought pattern, when you "notice that you are well"?

[Bernard]

Matt, sounds like you have a good handle on it. Please do keep us informed of your experience whichever system you choose. I do seem to recall Stacy's neurofeedback provider mentioning that the operating software and the database used to compare brain wave activity (to give direction for the normalizing protocol) are important considerations for the usefulness of the system.

Bedolaga, thanks for your feedback.

[RobinN]

We have the option to possibly rent the equipment after our initial 20 session. This wll be discussed at the end of this month.

You mention that you have gone 15 sessions, and also say in your post "If this works...". Do you see a change yet? I knew it was working after about the first 6 treatments.