QEEG & Brain Mapping

QEEG & Neurofeedback in Sonoma County

Subjective & Objective Assessment Measures in Neurofeedback

Assessment is a critical component of neurofeedback as it helps establish a baseline for brain function, identify dysregulations, and tailor treatment plans to individual needs. A thorough assessment allows us to understand the your brain's EEG patterns and how they relate to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, sleep disturbances, and more. By gathering both subjective and objective data, we can create targeted neurofeedback protocols to help train your brain toward more optimal functioning. Regular reassessments help us to track progress over time, ensuring that training is effective and that we can adjust it as needed to maximize your therapeutic outcomes.

There are several types of assessments used in neurofeedback, each serving a specific purpose.

First we start with a series of online questionnaires and symptom checklists. These forms helps us to understand your primary issues and how you want to prioritize them. Once the questionnaires are complete, we then have an assessment interview, where the above information is reviewed and further clarification is provided. Information from the questionnaires and interview, when taken with objective data collected, helps us to correlate your symptoms to specific regions in the brain that may require training.

In many situations, new clients complete an online continuous performance tests (CPT), which asks you to engage in a specified task (e.g., pressing a button on your keyboard every time you see a particular color dot on your computer screen). CPT's help us understand how well your brain responds to specific tasks.

After the online questionnaires and CPT's, we focus on gathering other objective data about your brain's functioning. We may complete a full, 19-channel Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG), also known as a brain map, which provides a detailed analysis of brainwave activity and areas of dysregulation. QEEG is the "Gold Standard" in the field and is recommended for nearly all clients. A Mini-QEEG, which is an alternative to the full QEEG, provides targeted information about a limited number of sites on the brain.

Although not necessary for ILF, LENS, or HEG neurofeedback training, QEEG's can be helpful in treatment planning for these approaches as well. Together, these assessment tools provide a comprehensive understanding of the client’s neurophysiological state, guiding the neurofeedback training process for optimal results.

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QEEG Brain Map

A QEEG, or quantitative electroencephalography, is a non-invasive assessment tool that measures electrical activity in the brain to analyze brainwave patterns. By placing sensors on 19-spots on the scalp, QEEG records EEG signals and processes them using advanced statistical analysis to identify areas of dysregulation, asymmetry, or abnormal connectivity. The data are then compared to the client's symptoms to help us understand where on the brain we should train. This comprehensive analysis helps clinicians develop personalized neurofeedback training protocols aimed at optimizing brain function and improving symptoms. In some cases, a Mini-QEEG, which records data from 12 sites on the brain may be sufficient.

Questionnaires & Symptom Checklists

Questionnaires and symptom checklists are valuable tools in neurofeedback treatment planning as they help gather self-reported data on a client's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. These assessments provide insights into specific issues such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, or stress, which can guide the development of personalized neurofeedback protocols. By identifying patterns in the patient's symptoms, we can determine which brainwave activity needs to be targeted for optimization. These tools also serve as a baseline for tracking symptom changes over the course of treatment, helping to monitor progress and adjust protocols as necessary.

Continuous Performance Test

A Continuous Performance Test (CPT) is a neuropsychological assessment that measures sustained attention and the ability to maintain focus over time. It involves presenting a series of stimuli, such as letters or numbers, on a screen, and the participant must respond to specific target stimuli while ignoring distractors. The test is typically used to assess cognitive functions like attention, impulsivity, and processing speed. In neurofeedback treatment planning, CPT results can help identify areas of the brain that may benefit from targeted interventions to improve attention regulation and reduce impulsivity. By analyzing performance patterns, clinicians can tailor neurofeedback protocols to address individual cognitive and behavioral needs.