Biofeedback is a treatment technique that utilizes instruments to measure a person's physiological responses, such as hand temperature, sweat gland activity, breathing rates, blood pressure, and brainwave patterns. The instruments then feed the information back to the patient who focuses on changing certain patterns. As a behavior therapy, biofeedback uses stressreduction techniques to help people learn to control certain body responses, such as heart rate and muscle tension. It may help teach adults and children with ADHD to change their brain wave patterns to move toward more normal ones.

A variation of biofeedback is called neurofeedback, designed to help people control brain wave patterns using electroencephalography (EEG) feedback. By placing electrodes on the scalp, the EEG measures the waves of electrical activity and the brain wave pattern of the brain. Five types of brainwave patterns are recognized:

1. Delta waves. A very slow wave of one to four cycles per second seen mostly during sleep

2. Theta waves. Slow brain waves of five to seven cycles per second, seen during daydreaming and twilight states

3. Alpha waves. Eight to twelve cycles per second seen during relaxed states

4. Sensorimotor rhythm wave (SMR). Twelve to fifteen cycles per second seen during focused relaxation

5. Beta waves. Fast waves of thirteen to twenty-four waves per second seen during concentration or mental work states

Dr. Joel Lubar of the University of Tennessee and others have reported effective of neurofeedback in the treatment of people with ADHD. In studying more than 1,200 children, Lubar found that the basic issue for these people is the inability to maintain beta concentration states for sustained periods of time. He also found these children have excessive theta daydreaming feedback. Through the use of neurofeedback, the patients were taught to increase the amount of beta waves and decrease the amount of theta waves. In other words, they learned to make their brains more active. The format of the neurofeedback is like a game. The patient's brain is hooked up to the equipment with electrodes, and the computer feeds back the activity of the brain to the person. Sitting in front of the computer monitor, patients watch their brainwave activity as they respond to games. Many are able to gradually shape brainwaves to appear normal. NASA has developed a technique that blends biofeedback with video games.

Neurofeedback gives the patient control over the process, and some have reported success. However, it is still considered controversial and long-term effective needs to be established.

Bibliography:

Amen, Daniel. 2001. Healing ADD: The breakthrough program that allows you to see and heal the 6 types of ADD. New York: Berkley Books

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