What Is A Neurofeedback Protocol?

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Written By: Dr. Starr

Dr. Starr is a medical doctor, psychiatrist and computational neuroscientist who has been active in Brain-Computer Interface and Neurofeedback since 1990.
To learn more about neurofeedback, please read the article; What Is Neurofeedback. If you are interested in home neurofeedback please read the article; Neurofeedback At Home.

Have you ever wondered how Neurofeedback Providers know exactly what brain areas to inhibit and reward to achieve a state of harmony in your brain waves? If you answered “Yes” to the question above, we suggest you read the remainder of the article to gain a better insight and knowledge that will help enhance your brain training.

1. What is a Neurofeedback Protocol?

A Neurofeedback protocol is a specifically designed software-based treatment used to target under or overactivity in the brain. Neurofeedback protocols either increase or decrease the brain wave activity in specific brain areas. The main goal of a Neurofeedback protocol is to normalize the brain waves, achieve equilibrium, improve mood, increase brain neuroplasticity, and alleviate symptoms of neurological disorders.

2. How are Neurofeedback Protocols designed?

Neurofeedback Protocols are carefully designed for every individual client that signs up for Neurofeedback based on the state in which their brain is and the developmental stage of their neuropsychological disorder.

After we take your first QEEG,  a qualified Neuro-practor or clinician reviews your brain maps. The maps offer the practitioner a clear image of the density of delta, theta, alpha, beta, and high beta in certain areas of the brain. Brain maps are used as a guiding tool for practitioners to develop protocols. Based on the map connectivity and activity of the brain waves, the practitioner develops and designs the protocols that will inhibit and reward your brain waves during training. On every 10 sessions, a new QEEG is recorded and reviewed, while Neurofeedback protocols are updated accordingly to the condition of the brain shown on the brain maps.

3. Are Myenurva’s protocols based on Scientific Research?

Yes. Myneurva’s protocols are designed following the guidelines of scientific research. They are solely based on research papers conducted on Neurofeedback’s benefits that have been peer-reviewed and published.

4. What are sensors?

Sensors are an essential part of proper Neurofeedback training. They are scalp and ear electrodes whose role is to monitor and record the brainwave activity during the QEEG and the sessions. Sensors are made of metals that have conductivity and allow for the transfer of Electrical Information from your brain to the computer. The total number of sensors that Myneurva uses follows the internationally recognized 10-20 method of EEG and are placed using an Electrocap.

5. What is a sensor site?

A sensor site is an area where a sensor is located on the cap. Sensors are divided, named, and numbered accordingly to the specific brain lobes that they represent. For example, Fp1 & Fp2 (F stands for Frontal) are the sensors placed on your forehead, and their role is to measure the electrical activity of the frontal lobe. Sensor sites are placed above areas of the brain with a known function. Through this monitoring and feedback at a sensor site, we can assist with regulation of brain activity through Neurofeedback.

6. Why does placement matter?

The sensors work by pinpointing specific areas of the brain to assist those areas to function better. Without proper placements of the sensors and the cap, we would not be able to establish a communication signal between the brain and the sensors. This could further impede the process of acquiring an accurate representation of your brain waves at any given time. The Electrocap needs to be correctly placed on the head, free of any wrinkles, whereas the hair should be dry and without any products on.

7. Why does the protocol matter?

Three important things matter the most in the protocol. The way they are designed, the purpose for which they are implemented, and how they are used. Neurofeedback treatment is a field that keeps continuously expanding through new findings, leading to alterations in protocol making. That is why at Myneurva, Dr. Starr and his team of professionals are only designing and implementing scientifically accepted and proven-to-work protocols. It is important to place your trust and brain into the hands of someone who is continuously following and updating the protocols according to discoveries published in the scientific literature.