Enhanced Brain Function Through Neurofeedback Training: Neurofeedback Therapy UK

The brain is a powerful organ that influences the way we feel, behave, and view the world around us. Often, the brain is at the center of various mental and physical health challenges, such as mood disorders, neurological injuries, developmental conditions, and addiction. Neurofeedback therapy is a tool that can provide insights into the connections between cognitive function and health concerns while helping us change and enhance the way we use our brains. In this article, we’ll outline the process of neurofeedback therapy, discuss the modality’s efficacy, and provide options for UK-based practitioners.

Your emotional well-being and brain health are closely connected

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Overview of neurofeedback therapy

Neurofeedback therapy (NFT) is a modality that helps participants alleviate certain mental and physical health concerns by training their brains to perform in specific ways. It is a form of biofeedback, which involves monitoring systems in the body to improve their function. 

Brain function plays a crucial role in numerous health challenges. When certain impulses—called brain waves—are sent, we may feel sad, develop certain cravings, or take various actions. For example, individuals with anxiety often experience nervousness and fear, which can negatively influence their behavior and emotions. These feelings of anxiety have been linked to beta waves—impulses in the brain that can help us concentrate and complete tasks, but may also lead to emotional challenges. 

Using the above example, a participant in NFT may be given feedback showing that their brain emits a high number of beta waves. The goal of neurofeedback sessions, then, could be to reduce that number. This typically happens using a sophisticated training program that helps participants’ brains make necessary changes in real time, calming the nervous system and reducing feelings of anxiety. Practitioners may also help participants use various relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness and deep breathing. 

How neurofeedback training works

Neurofeedback therapy is based on the concept of operant conditioning, in which rewards are used to promote desired responses. In the case of NFT, the desired responses are forms of brain function that help address the mental health, physical, or developmental challenges the individual is experiencing. There are several types of neurofeedback training. The exact modality a practitioner uses may depend on the participants’ health concerns, specific symptoms, and medical history. 

Monitoring brain activity

To gain insight into the brainwave patterns that contribute to an individual’s challenges, practitioners usually monitor neurological activity. This is achieved through an electroencephalography, or EEG, which involves the placement of electrodes on a participant’s scalp. The EEG creates a brain map—a graphic representation of brain activity. 

The professional can then evaluate the frequency of different brain waves and determine whether there are imbalances that may be contributing to an individual’s mental or physical health concerns. Practitioners may notice that certain brain waves are occurring too frequently in one region of the brain and too infrequently in other regions. For example, when alpha waves are more common in the right, as opposed to left, frontal cortex—a phenomenon known as alpha wave asymmetry—an individual may be prone to anxiety or depression. 

The training process

During the neurofeedback process, participants typically engage in a specific activity, such as watching a movie, playing a video game, or listening to music, while the practitioner monitors their brain activity. Through specialized software and neurofeedback equipment, the brain waves that an individual emits can lead to a reward, such as more pleasant music or success in a video game. If the participants’ brain wave patterns are not in the optimal range, the reward may be diminished. 

Because of the brain’s ability to change based on experience, it can learn how to function in ways that bring about the reward. The optimal range of brain activity is tied to the desired responses. Using the example of anxiety and beta waves, an individual might be rewarded when their beta waves are reduced and their alpha waves (which can promote relaxation) are increased. 

By inducing the brain to produce specific impulses, neurofeedback therapy can train it in ways that promote beneficial thoughts and behaviors. Over the course of dozens of sessions (therapy typically lasts 30 to 40 sessions in total), participants can develop healthy habits and alleviate the challenges that were contributing to their symptoms. 

Mood disorders, traumatic brain injury, and more: Challenges NFT can address

The ability to exert control over cognitive function can be beneficial in various contexts, given the vital role our brains play in regulating various systems of our bodies. For this reason, neurofeedback therapy can be used to manage the symptoms of a wide range of psychiatric, neurological, and developmental disorders. 

Psychiatric disorders

Brain function is a core contributor to various emotional challenges, so neurofeedback training is frequently employed to reduce symptoms of mental health conditions. This modality can be used for depression, anxiety disorders, developmental trauma, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many experts suggest using neurofeedback training as a complementary approach—as opposed to a first-line treatment—for mental health disorders. 

Traumatic brain injury

It isn’t always easy to evaluate the ways in which an individual’s brain injury is affecting them. People who have experienced neurological injuries may be provided insights into the impacted brain regions through NFT. Practitioners can use these insights to help participants’ brains respond in ways that limit the negative effects of these neurological changes. 

Neurodevelopmental disorders

Neurofeedback has been used to help people with learning difficulties and other challenges associated with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and other developmental disorders. NFT may improve cognitive performance and alleviate several symptoms of neurodevelopmental concerns, such as trouble focusing, impulsivity, and difficulty organizing information.

Who may not benefit from neurofeedback training or neurofeedback therapy?

Neurofeedback therapy is non-invasive and is generally considered a safe modality for people with a range of health concerns. However, certain individuals may be urged to avoid NFT, particularly those living with pre-existing neurological conditions. This includes people living with epilepsy, who can be negatively impacted by brain wave manipulation. Additionally, people with chronic fatigue or brain fog, both of which may be exacerbated by NFT, may choose to seek alternative treatment options. 

Research on the efficacy of NFT

Neurofeedback therapy has been around for decades, and a substantial body of research points to its effectiveness for various health concerns. For example, there is evidence that NFT can alleviate symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In one review, researchers found that neurofeedback therapy usually improved attentiveness in children with ADHD.  

There is also evidence of NFT’s efficacy for other mental health conditions. Studies show that neurofeedback training can improve symptoms of PTSD, depression, and substance use disorder, among other mental disorders. Additionally, it has been shown to alleviate challenges that may exacerbate mental health symptoms, such as insomnia and chronic pain. 

Neurofeedback training has also been employed to improve physical aptitude, helping individuals’ brains facilitate certain motor functions more effectively. Studies show, for example, that manipulating athletes’ brains through NFT can lead to enhanced performance in sports. 

Participating in neurofeedback therapy: UK options

Individuals in the United Kingdom who are interested in a neurofeedback training program have several options. One of the largest providers of NFT is BrainTrainUK, which has locations throughout England. Brainworks is another clinic that provides neurofeedback therapy in the UK for people experiencing various mental and physical health conditions. 

If you’re interested in participating in NFT, consider asking your primary care provider for a referral to a neurofeedback program. When pursuing neurofeedback therapy, look for professionals who have the training and experience to address your specific symptoms. You may also want to ensure they’re certified by a governing organization, like the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance. 

Foster cognitive and emotional wellness with online therapy

If you’d like to learn more about how brain function and mental health are connected, consider working with a mental health professional online. 

The benefits of online therapy

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can switch therapists anytime, allowing you to work with the professional who best fits your needs. Your therapist can also connect you with useful resources, such as worksheets meant to enhance memory and other cognitive functions.  

Your emotional well-being and brain health are closely connected

Foster cognitive wellness with online therapy

The efficacy of online therapy

Research suggests that online therapy can help participants address cognitive impairment that may be related to various mental health challenges. In a study on the efficacy of online therapy for individuals with major depressive disorder, researchers found that participants typically experienced significant improvements in cognitive depressive symptoms. The study also mentioned the ability of online therapy to circumvent barriers to treatment, such as geographical constraints.