How does Neurofeedback work?

Brain Waves defined: Neurohealth.com

Dr. Barry Sterman's contribution to the development of Neurofeedback - training (of all things) cats. Spotlight on Dr. Barry Sterman

From the International Society for Neuroregulation & Research:  What is Neurofeedback

A collection of peer reviewed articles on EEG Biofeedback: Neurofeedback - A Method Which Trains the Brain to Obtain Changes in Behaviour

A basic overview of Neurofeedback -  How Neurofeedback Can Help

This is an excellent, easy read about what to expect from Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback 101 - by Michael  P. Cohen

We use Neurofeedback to train brain waves.  So, what are brain waves, and why do they matter?  This article explains it: What are the brain wave frequencies?

Neurofeedback helps to improve 'brain connectivity', that is, the way that separate parts of your brain talk to each other so that you can accomplish tasks.  Check out this video for an explanation: The Brain Connection Explained

The 'placebo effect' is a real phenomenon, but some observations of the effects of Neurofeedback indicate that Neurofeedback does offer measurable results, not just 'wishing' it would work. From the Neurofeedback Centers of Utah

A very interesting article that mentions that Neurofeedback has been found to be helpful with some of the most difficult cases to treat: Psychopaths.  The Hidden Suffering of Psychopaths

Brain Plasticity is a common buzz phrase these days.  Learn how Neurofeedback can help the brain adapt and perform better: Potentiating Brain Plasticity with Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback in Recovery - American Addiction Centers

Neurofeedback for Addiction - Teaching the Brain to Self-Regulate

Neurofeedback Training for Opiate Addiction: Improvement of Mental Health and Craving

Neurofeedback Can Help Break the Cycle of Addiction

Substance Abuse and Addiction - Benefits of Neurofeedback​

Neurofeedback and Addiction

Neurofeedback can improve addiction treatment outcomes - Stay Clean Long-Term

Non-Medication Options for ADHD - Including Neurofeedback

Korean research on the effectiveness of Neurofeedback for ADHD in college students

Research on the helpfulness of Neurofeedback for kids with ADHD

In this video a European provider works with a young boy with ADHD

Scholarly study on the positive effects of Neurofeedback for children with ADHD: Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: the effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: a meta-analysis

Sustained Effects of Neurofeedback in ADHD - scholarly

Controlling Attention with Brain Waves

Increased Risk of Diseases of the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum in Patients with a History of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Is Your Child's ADHD Your Fault?

Can Neurofeedback Therapy Effectively Treat ADHD?

Is Neurofeedback Effective for ADHD?

Should Your Child Try Neurofeedback for ADHD? 

Neurofeedback - Computer-Based Exercises Providing Feedback to the Brain Regarding Attention Levels

This article has some technical terminolgy, but describes how Neurofeedback has been found to help with anxiety.

Neurofeedback may reduce anxiety

Childhood Anxiety and Neurofeedback

Wikipedia article explaining the basics and details of how biofeedback and EEG based biofeedback works.

"Biofeedback is the process of gaining greater awareness of many physiological functions of one's own body, primarily using electronic or other instruments, with a goal of being able to manipulate the body's systems at will."

Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma: Calming the Fear-Driven Brain

5 Reasons Why Neurofeedback is Great for Children

Neurofeedback and Anxiety in Children

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Learning Network on Neurofeedback & Depression

Neurofeedback might have clinical potential for patients with non-anxious major depressive disorder

"Neurofeedback training targets the areas of the brain that dyslexia affects and works with people to strengthen their brain, and in turn, their reading skills"

EEG Biofeedback Training for Attention Deficit Disorder, Specific Learning Disabilities, and Associated Conduct Problems

Biofeedback and Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Migraine

Scroll down the the comments section - about half the way down, for a discussion of how Neurofeedback helps with brain plasticity.  

While not referring specifically to Neurofeedback, this Wikipedia article nicely outlines how dysfunction in some specific brain regions may produce OCD:  Cause of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

This article shows some nice images of 'under connected' brain regions - which can contribute to OCD: Exploring the Neurobiology of OCD

Elite Athletes, OCD,  and Neurofeedback -  What is OCD?

This is an excellent video explaining the complexity of pain, and how the nervous system often needs help calming down in order for an individual feel more comfortable:  

Understanding Pain in Less Than Five Minutes, and What to do About it

Another video - a TED talk -an interesting take on pain: 

Lorimer Mosely - Why Things Hurt

Primarily for providers, but helpful for patients: Parkinsons

Insights into Mechanisms and Performance Improvement

The Mental Edge with Neurofeedback

Brainwave Basics for Peak Performance

"kids who completed neurofeedback therapy had 11 times greater improvement in self-control than the kids who did not receive the treatment. “We also found that emotion regulation doubled for children who received the treatment.”

In other results, the treatment group was five times less likely to have sleep problems, six times less likely to show impulsivity, and less likely to exhibit dissociative behavior."

PTSD Randomized NF study in adolescents 

An important book regarding treatment developmental trauma with Neurofeedback:  Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma: Calming the Fear-Driven Brain

Research in Europe regarding the positive effects of Neurofeedback for PTSD:  Neurofeedback Brain Training May Help Reduce Symptoms of Mental Illness

A comparison of types of Neurofeedback for PTSD

Neurofeedback training can help patients with PTSD control reactivity in specific regions of their brain 

Quantitative EEG (QEEG) - Brain Mapping 

An article explaining some of the concepts of 'brain waves'

Peer reviwed research on Neurofeedback

From the NIH - Assessing the Effectiveness of  Neurofeedback Training...

Is there Solid Research on Neurofeedback?

Comprehensive Bibiography of Neurofeedback Research

A comparison of types of Neurofeedback for PTSD

A discussion of how Neurofeedback may help with Schizophrenia

Frontiers in Neuroscience: Neurofeedback, Sleep, and ADHD

Sleep and PTSD

Train your brain to give up cigarettes.

The International Brain Injury Association

The Invisible Victims of Traumatic Brain Injury

Acute Effects and Recovery After Sport Related Concussion

Neurofeedback Shows Promise in Treating Traumatic Brain Injury