Neurofeedback is a form of treatment that uses electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor and adjust brainwave patterns. People with anxiety disorders tend to have abnormally high levels of brain activity in certain regions, particularly the frontal lobe.
Neurofeedback For Anxiety: Is it Effective?
Some people with anxiety disorders may also see improvements after receiving neurofeedback treatment. In one study, participants who received neurofeedback treatment showed reductions in both their levels of anxiety and stress symptoms after eight weeks. These results were maintained at 12-week follow-up assessment.
By using neurofeedback, patients can learn how to reduce their brainwave activity in these regions, which can help relieve symptoms of anxiety.
There are a few different types of neurofeedback therapy, all of which involve monitoring and adjusting the patient's brainwaves. The most common type is EEG biofeedback, which uses a feedback device to measure the patient's brainwave patterns and provide real-time feedback on how they are performing.
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This type of therapy is usually used for people who want to improve their mental performance, such as students who are struggling with schoolwork or people who have trouble sleeping at night.
Another type of neurofeedback therapy is TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulator). This technology uses magnetic fields to stimulate parts of the brain. TMS has been used in studies to treat depression and addiction, but it has also been used in studies on anxiety disorders. TMS treatments typically last around 20 minutes and are done over several sessions.
Both EEG biofeedback and TMS treatments require some prior training in order to be effective. Patients usually need to learn how to use the feedback device and how to control their own brainwaves during treatment sessions.