Courses required for neurofeedback students.
EEG Biofeedback: Assessment and Intervention
This course teaches the principles of recording the brain’s electrical activities through EEG, as well as other imaging techniques that pertain to psychophysiological assessments and interventions. The basic psychophysiology of the EEG signal is reviewed in relationship to educational applications and disorders (such as epilepsy and ADHD) treated with EEG biofeedback.
Neuropsychophysiology
This course covers central and peripheral nervous system anatomy and physiology and finishes with an emphasis on nervous system pathophysiology. The brain/spinal cord plexus is discussed from both anatomical and physiological perspectives concentrating on plasticity in response to changes in the external and internal environment as well as viewing the system as an interactive organ with hormonal, nerve based, and blood flow-based feedback and control systems.
Choice of either:
Quantitative Electroencephalogram as an Assessment Tool
Quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) has become an important technique for psychophysiological assessment of brain-based disorders. This course covers reading and artifacting the EEG record, montages, database comparisons, drug effects on the EEG, frequency analysis, spectral and topographic aspects and basic neuroanatomy and physiology, based upon Brodmann areas and anatomical structures.
Advanced EEG Biofeedback: Theoretical and Clinical Considerations
EEG Biofeedback has radically expanded over the past 10 years. As a result, the list of treatment options can seem overwhelming. Amidst the clamor of competing ideologies, manufacturers and treatment modalities, it is the responsibility of the advanced EEG biofeedback clinician to create a treatment approach that is effective and engaging for the trainee/patient/client. This class moves beyond the introduction to basic EEG feedback modalities and equipment, and into an overview of the state of the art of EEG, and the subsequent options and complex treatment decisions that are necessary in operating competently in the modern neurofeedback climate.
Stimulation Technologies
This course provides sufficient information on psychophysiological entrainment and stimulation for students to understand how various forms of physical stimulation are used to alter the brain and body’s functioning. Topics include (1) magnetic stimulation of the periphery to induce changes in peripheral blood flow, (2) magnetic stimulation of the brain to induce out of body experiences and control headaches, (3) physiological entrainment of breathing for control of hypertension, (4) basics of arousal and dysarousal, (5) review of quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) and heart rate variability HRV) in relation to entrainment, (6) physiology of audiovisual entrainment (AVE), (7) standard studies on AVE, (8) cognitive studies on AVE, (9) cranial electrical stimulation (CES), (10) ) transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS), (11) HRV - breath-work exercise, (12) programming with the DAVID session editor, (13) use of “alpha stim”-like devices to alter states of consciousness, and (14) neuromodulation including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
