ADD/ADHD
Difficulties encountered which could be enhanced
When a person has difficulty with their attention span or concentration, this may be associated with non-optimal functioning of certain regions and / or networks of the brain. Before starting Neurofeedback training, it is necessary to measure brain activity as a whole in order to target areas or connections that may contribute to the symptoms that occur during ADD / ADHD.
Many brain regions and networks may be involved in people with attention difficulties. For example, idle frontal lobes can lead to difficulties in planning, organizing, concentrating, and performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
On the other hand, a sustained attention network with deviations from the norm could explain difficulties in staying focused on a specific task, whether to remain attentive in a conversation, when reading, or when a teacher give a lecture.
In people who are easily distracted by surrounding stimuli, whether through noises or moving things, the network of divided attention can present deviations in the context where the brain would have difficulty processing multiple information simultaneously and thus, leave one task to be able to do another.
Sometimes, when we perform the EEG, we notice that the attention networks do not present large deviations, but that the anxiety circuit is highly hyperactive. A strong anxiety could then explain the attention difficulties. In such a case, the neuropsychologist could recommend training in Neurofeedback to reduce anxiety.
Based on the analysis of the EEG corroborated with the different elements identified during a clinical evaluation interview with the client, the neuropsychologist will determine the networks (and regions) of the brain to train, in order to improve the associated condition. Subsequently, one or more circuits can potentially be trained among sustained attention, divided attention, working memory or executive functions. When a person also has associated conditions such as anxiety or learning disabilities, additional circuits can then be trained in addition to specifically target these functions.
- Improvements in concentration
- Better understanding in reading
- A larger capacity for organization
Neurofeedback is now ranked as a Level 5 intervention. The highest level of effectiveness according to the “Evidence-based Practice in Neurofeedback and Biofeedback 2016” reference guide.
It has been shown that the benefits obtained with Neurofeedback are usually long-lasting and even that optimized brain capabilities continue to improve in the months following the end of Neurofeedback workouts.