Expert Opinions
The Expert Series are interviews with leading clinicians and researchers in the field of electromyography, biofeedback and neurofeedback. The Expert Series offers an opportunity to read about the latest clinical insights and empirical research from around the world.
Neurofeedback by Michael Thompson & Lynda Thompson, Ph.D.
Do you both believe that EEG Biofeedback (neurofeedback) is useful for A.D.D./A.D.H.D.?
Absolutely! Neurofeedback (another name for EEG biofeedback) gives the individual the ability to recognise for themselves, what their brain is doing, and learn specific skills to improve their performance at school and at work. While working with A.D.H.D. children and adults, we both had an increasing realization that other therapies for children and adults diagnosed with A.D.D./ A.D.H.D. are only a partial solution. The simple use of Ritalin and other pharmaceuticals, even combined with behavioural approaches are limited, because the changes they produce are temporary. It is very clear now that A.D.D. is a neurologically based disorder. Read more…
Optimal Performance and Health by Vietta E. Wilson, Ph.D.
Why is optimal performance and health such an important factor in sports?
When Italy played against France in the last World Cup final, some of its best players were relying on a secret weapon. The secret weapon is called the Mind Room and it was developed in Montreal. For months now, at least four players on the Italian national team have been training in the Mind Room to prepare themselves mentally for clutch moments at the World Cup. De Michelis will train them to focus as well as relax mentally. He does this by first getting them into the meditative state, then showing them a video of their performance for a couple of seconds. Visualizing their perfect performance in a relaxed state, is a powerful training tool. The Infiniti system that he and Dr. Wilson use is a wonderful tool to train better mentally. Integrated training gives athletes the capacity to recover through relaxation, to concentrate better, to lessen interfering self-talk and to visualize in order to improve their skills in both practice and competition. Read more…
EEG Assessment and Training by Peter Van Deusen & Francois Dupont, Ph.D.
Do you think it is important to assess people before you train them?
Yes, both Peter and I think that adding an EEG assessment can be of particular value to help see the client’s status prior to training and measure improvement
over sessions. With this basic information in hand, the neurofeedback practitioner can establish a training program finely-tuned to the patient or client’s
needs. We don’t like to use a recipe approach. The TLC assessment is an excellent tool to help determine each person’s brainwaves before training. It certainly changed the way I practiced when I started running an assessment as a routine before I begin training. Read more…
UroGenital Pain by Howard Glazer, Ph.D.
Can you describe your biofeedback protocol?
While working with lower urogenital tract pain patients I had an increasing awareness that previous protocols used for urological and gastrointestinal disorders were not applicable to this patient population. These protocols relied on analysis of muscle amplitude, partly related to the limits of the technology in which relatively slow signal processing limited the output or feedback to amplitude related information. Within the field of biofeedback, surface electromyography still did not fully utilize the range of electrophysiological information available in the electromyographic signal. This simple approach limited our focus to disorders of resting tone and contractile amplitudes as the only dysfunctions. This is a fairly unsophisticated way of working with the muscle, as muscles are in fact much more complex than revealed by simply looking at the overall electrical amplitude generated by an area of muscle under the sensor. Read more…
Heart Rate Variability Training by Donald Moss, Ph.D. & Fred Shaffer, Ph.D.
What is Heart Rate Variability?
By variability we mean changes in the interval or distance between one beat of the heart and the next. The interbeat interval (IBI) is the time between one R-wave (or heart beat) and the next, in milliseconds. The IBI is highly variable within any given time period. Multiple biological rhythms overlay one another to produce the resultant pattern of variability. Interbeat interval variations, or heart rate variability, have relevance for physical, emotional, and mental function. Many people confuse Heart Rate with Heart Rate Variability. The human heart is a bio-electrical pump beating at an ever changing rate: it is not like a clock that beats at a steady, unchanging rate. This variability in heart rate is an adaptive quality in a healthy body. Read more…
Neurofeedback by Dr. Joel Lubar
Could you describe your current work?
My current work is primarily the development of databases and training protocols for treating individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and associated co-morbidities. These include learning disabilities, oppositional and anxiety disorders and other problems that are commonly associated with ADD. I also spent a number of years in my career doing research and treatment of patients with seizure disorders and epilepsy. Read more…
Physical Therapist Offers Online Assessment by International Expert by Howard Glazer, Ph.D.
Urogenital, Sexual & Gastrointestinal Health
When your bladder or bowels are not working properly or you’re having pain during sex it’s not easy to talk about, not even to the person closest to you.
We know that women play an important role in the health care of men through education and awareness, but what happens when the problem persists and you feel you need more information from the medical community?
In this article Dr. Howard Glazer and Kathy Tisko, P.T. introduce the Glazer Intrapelvic SEMG Assessment and describe a treatment plan based on the results. Read more…
