Controversial neurofeedback, which purportedly helps people change their own brain waves, is seeing a surge in popularity, according to The New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/health/05neurofeedback.html?_r=1&hpw
Proponents of neurofeedback, which entails having electrodes attached to your scalp, say that it can help people deal with problems such as depression, anxiety and attention deficient hyperactivity disorder, The Times wrote Tuesday, describing it as “biofeedback for the brain.”
And although the traditional medical community has been wary of neurofeedback, the practice has been drawing the attention of research groups such as the National Institute of Mental Health. In fact, the institute will be releasing the results of its study of neurofeedback being used to treat ADHD on Oct. 26, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Neurofeedback’s roots go back to the 1960s and 1970s, and in effect it got a bad name when some researchers made fantastic claims about its benefits. And it still has vocal critics, such as William Pelham Jr., director of the Center for Children and Families, who called it “crackpot charlatanism,” according to The Times.
But then the story offers a case study where neurofeedback apparently worked. A 7-year-old diagnosed with pervasive development disorder, with autisism-like symptoms, underwent neurofeedback treatments and made tremendous strides.
Neurofeedback has one huge plus: It’s a treatment for brain disorders that doesn’t involve drugs.