ClinicalQ & Braindriver
The Brain Tells Us Everything
“I do not ask clients why they have come to see me. I tell them why they are seeking treatment. The level of precision of the ClinicalQ is such that, with experience, one can describe the client’s condition based exclusively on the brainwave data.” – Paul G. Swingle
Overview
Neurotherapy is a data-driven methodology backed by compelling research form many quarters and is applicable to a broad range of disorders and pathological conditions. Sometimes referred to as neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback, it involves direct measurement of brain activity by which the brain learns to function more efficiently. During a neurotherapy session, electrodes are applied to specific sites on the head to “listen in” on underlying brain activity. This activity is measured and data of interest, in terms of brainwave frequencies, is derived. Each frequency represents a slower or faster level of brain activity. From slowest to fastest they are: delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma. Data is fed back to the subject in real-time via specialized computer software. When brain activity changes to more appropriate EEG patterns an award is provided in the form of tones, music or the activation of an animation or movie.
Dr. Swingle is a firm believer that neurotherapy is NOT a stand-alone discipline. Rather, it is supportive of most therapeutic measures and can enhance the efficacy of those methods.
Adding Neurotherapy to Your Practice
Dr. Swingle’s method is fully described in his book Adding Neurotherapy to Your Practice (Springer) which guides the clinician through the assessment and interpretation of results, and provides neurofeedback and braindriving protocols to retrain brain function. This method can be implemented using any clinical grade EEG system. The BFE has created a specialized software suite compatible with the BioGraph Infiniti system that allows users to easily implement the method.
The ClinicalQ™
The ClinicalQ™ Assessment, developed by Dr. Paul G. Swingle, is a remarkably simple and effective intake method that examines brain activity at 5 major sites as a basis for identifying dysfunction and determining training plans quickly and efficiently. The database used for the ClinicalQ™ assessment is comprised of over 1500 client records from Dr. Swingle’s practice. Using a clinical vs normative database avoids diagnostic labels and categorizing but focuses rather on the behavioral manifestations of the inefficiencies found in brain activity.
Braindriving
Standard neurofeedback works on the basis of presenting feedback when the individual achieves the desired brain state, according to the monitored bandwidth amplitudes of interest. Braindriving is a form of classical conditioning of EEG activity that advances typical neurofeedback by enhancing the process with harmonic and audiovisual entrainment. If brain amplitude goes above or below a specified threshold, an unconditioned stimulus is applied to drive it in the other direction. Harmonics and AV lights help push the brain’s functioning toward the ideal state, and the neurofeedback process rewards that state.
About Dr. Paul G. Swingle
Paul G. Swingle, Ph.D. R.Psych. was Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa prior to moving to Vancouver where he is now Director of the Swingle Clinic. A Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association Dr. Swingle was Lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and during the same time period was Associate Attending Psychologist at McLean Hospital (Boston) where he also was Coordinator of the Clinical Psychophysiology Service. He is a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia, certified in Biofeedback and Neurotherapy. His recent books include: Biofeedback for the Brain (Rutgers University Press); Adding Neurotherapy to Your Practice (Springer); When the ADHD Diagnosis is Wrong (Praeger).
The ClinicalQ and Braindriver™ Software Suite
The BFE has worked with Dr. Swingle to create specialized software that automates his assessment and training method. The software guides the user in collecting data used in the ClinicalQ™ Assessment, creates a report that flags data outside the norm and provides interpretation of the data that helps guide the clinician in how to proceed with training.
An add-on to the BioGraph Infiniti system, the ClinicalQ and Braindriver™ suite includes:
- Unlimited ClinicalQ™ assessments and interpretation reports in Excel
- Braindriver training screens with harmonic and audiovisual-assisted entrainment
- Digital version of Dr. Swingle’s book: Adding Neurotherapy to Your Practice
- Comprehensive user manual and instructional videos on using the software
- Free trial of client report (www.clinicalqreport.com)
- Free attendance at one online session for case discussions with Dr. Swingle
Education
The BFE offers a wide variety of educational content, presented by Dr. Swingle. Below is a small selection of available content. For a more complete listing, click here.
Introduction to the ClinicalQ & BrainDriver Suite Webinar Recording: The lesson recordings, which introduce all of its features, are now included with the ClinicalQ & Braindriver™ software suite.
Attention Problems in Children Webinar Recording: Dr. Swingle discusses the complexities in identifying and treating ADHD, and related conditions, in children.
Art and the Brain (Neurology of Creativity) Webinar Recording: Dr. Swingle discusses how the brain state affects the artist’s creativity and what brain conditions can get in the way of that process.
Addictions Webinar Recording: Dr. Swingle discusses how he treat addictions using case studies of adolescents and adults.
Sleep Disorders Webinar Recording: Dr. Swingle discusses the issues relating to sleep and our current, medical understanding of it.
Internet Addiction Webinar Recording: The hot-topic of internet addiction is discussed by Dr. Swingle, in terms of how the brain looks according to ClinicalQ™ assessment norms and how technology affects us all.
Dr. Swingle’s Grand Rounds Session: discuss a client case with Dr. Swingle, as well as listen to other clinician’s do the same in this live, online grand rounds session format.
