Epilepsy

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Biofeedback can work. It is difficult for older people. You can induce the

proper brain waves by playing two different sound frequencies in each ear -

see

 

_http://www.transparentcorp.com/products/mindstereo/science.php_

(http://www.transparentcorp.com/products/mindstereo/science.php)

 

and the following

 

 

EEG Biofeedback for Epilepsy:

The field of EEG Biofeedback began with Joe Kamiya and Elmer and Alyce Green

who examined the connections between physiology and different states of

consciousness. They found that clients could get into a deeply relaxed state in

merely one to two sessions when trained to increase alpha waves. Sterman

discovered that the 12-15 Hz region of the EEG was associated with specific

rhythmic activity. He labeled this rhythm as the SensoriMotor Rhythm (SMR) due

to

its location at the sensorimotor cortex. (Chase and Harper;1971, Howe and

Sterman; 1972, Sterman, 1977). Sensory motor rhythm has control over our body

sensations and voluntary movements. Barry Sterman focused on the effects of EEG

Biofeedback on epilepsy.

Sterman first worked with cats who had been exposed to toxic chemicals which

usually induce seizure activity. In their study, Fairchild and Sterman

(1974) found that the cats who were operantly conditioned for SMR exhibited a

higher threshold for seizure activity. Following this study with cats, Sterman

and Friar (1972) then focused on whether SMR training could reduce seizures in

humans; they published a report that SMR training did in fact reduce the

seizures of one individual and also helped her sleep to improve.

Sterman, MacDonald, and Stone did further research and found that there was

a 66% reduction in seizures for four epileptics; the protocol they followed

was a combination of enhancing the SMR along with inhibition of excessive

slow-wave activity (Sterman, 1974). Additionally, Sterman reviewed the

literature

on treating epilepsy with EEG Biofeedback and found that seizures were

reduced in approximately 70% of the clients (Sterman, 1980).

Chase, M.H., and Harper, R.M. (1971). Somatomotor and visceromotor

correlates of operantly conditioned 12-14 c/sec sensorimotor cortical activity.

Journal of Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 31, 85-92.

Howe, R.C., and Sterman, M.B. (1972). Cortical-subcortical EEG correlates of

suppressed motor behavior during sleep and waking in the cat. Journal of

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 2, 681-695.

Sterman, M.B., and Friar, L. (1972). Supression of seizures in an epileptic

following sensorimotor EEG feedback training. Journal of

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 33, 89-95.

Sterman, M.B., MacDonald, L.R., and Stone, R.K. (1974). Biofeedback training

of the sensorimotor EEG rhythm in man: Effect on epilepsy. Epilepsia, 15,

395-416.

Sterman, M.B. (1977). Sensorimotor EEG operant conditioning and experimental

and in clinical effects, Pavlovian Journal Biological Science, 12, 2, 65-92.

 

Sterman, M.B. (1980). EEG biofeedback in the treatment of epilepsy: an

overview circa 1980. White, L. & Tursky, B. (Eds.), Clinical Biofeedback:

Efficacy

and Mechanisms, The Guilford Press, New York.