Neurofeedback may help with a variety of mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms, sleep disorders, addiction, and chronic pain. But it could also help improve cognitive functioning, as well as promote relaxation, reduce stress, and boost overall wellbeing.
These are the most common uses for neurofeedback that are supported by evidence:
Peak performance: Neurofeedback could promote stress recovery and improve sleep quality, essential elements for brain performance and resilience.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): It may be used with other forms of therapy, such as medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy to help manage inattention and impulsivity symptoms.
Anxiety: Neurofeedback training that reduces arousal may be applied to reduce anxiety and create a generally relaxed state of wellbeing.
Depression: A biological predisposition for depression exists when there is a certain asymmetry in brainwave activity. Brain training could help improve this dysregulation.
Sleep disorders: Neurofeedback can help increase total sleep time, REM sleep, and decrease periods of waking after sleep onset.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Through brain training, memories of the trauma (whether consciously remembered or not) may no longer be associated with negative emotions.
Decreasing cravings in substance use disorders: Brain training can positively impact addiction severity.
Chronic pain: Neurofeedback can help individuals with chronic pain reduce physical pain, stress, and anxiety by promoting brainwave patterns associated with calmness and relaxation.
Please note that neurofeedback should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment or therapy and, while it may be beneficial for certain medical conditions, it is not a guaranteed cure or treatment. Consultation with a licensed medical professional is necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment, and the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only, not medical advice.
Where does neurofeedback still need to be proven effective?
While neurofeedback has been shown to be helpful for a variety of mental health concerns, there are also some conditions for which it may not be helpful or appropriate, though evidence is still insufficient. Here are some examples:
Psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia.
Neurodegenerative disorders: While neurofeedback may help to improve symptoms in the early stages of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, it is not a cure and may not be effective in the later stages of these diseases.
Severe mental health conditions: Neurofeedback may not be appropriate as a standalone treatment for severe mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. These conditions typically require a comprehensive treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, and other interventions.
Written by: Dubravaka Rebic
Checked by: Kaija Sander, Ph.D
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