EEG-bio-feedbackTraining - a NewTherapeutic Method

Overview

30 children were observed for 4 months, i.e. during 20 to 30 therapeutic sessions. There were24 boys and 6 girls, aged 7 to 13 years with minimal cerebral palsy. The EEG-bio-feedbacktraining (EBT) was performed on a 1- or 19-channel apparatus with scope for spectral analysis.The active electrodes for EBT were C3 or C4. EEG analysis, neurological and psychologicaltesting were performed before and after complete EBT.Neurological findings remained unaltered by the training, there was usually spasmophilneuropathy, startle reflexes and dyskinetic syndrome in one case. The Prague Children’sWechsler Test improved in 18 children, in verbal and performance parts from 4 to 12 points, 5on average.The Number square test also improved by 2 stens in 12 children. TheWay test which is suitablefor attention improved in part B in 7 children.There were no change in 23 cases in the optical reading EEG curve, improvement in 7 cases.But spectral analysis showed improvement in 18 children who improved also mentally. Therewas a decrease in delta and acceleration of alpha band in 10 children and a decrease in massivealpha in 8 children. However during training there was an increase in the delta, sometimes alsoin the theta band. It seems contradictory to elicit a decrease in delta and theta during training,because these frequency band increasing usually accompany the mentation process.There are two interesting results: a) 18 children show improvement in line with the EEGspectrum and in psychological test, b) not only sensory-motor rhythm (SMR), but also deltaactivity increased through proper EBT, but the final result is a decrease of the delta band.Perhaps there are two kind of delta frequencies, the first one is „mental“ delta which accompaniesthe mental (learning-training) process and the second one is „biological“ delta whichcorresponds with the state of biological maturation.

Key words:
EEG - feedback training - EEG spectral analysis - psychological testing.