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(1) Age Related Cognitive Decline: The Potential By John N Demos, MA, LCMHC, BCIA-EEG When first introduced to neurofeedback, many licensed health care professions envision neurofeedback as paving the road to recovery for their current client base. However, neurofeedback is also an effective tool that can be marketed to the now health conscious baby boomer generation. In order to tap into this population of approximately 80 million (USA) who were born between 1946-1964, we need to shift our emphasis from pathology to performance. Baby boomers want the memory and word retrieval power of a 20-year-old. Reaching this population requires a shift in marketing strategies. Do not expect baby boomers to line up outside your office; rather expect them to respond to aggressive advertisement, word of mouth and well written brochures. First, become familiar with the subject of age-related-cognitive decline. Consider the following links: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/10243.html http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061024010707.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_and_aging
Once having mastered basic terms and have a grasp of short-term and long-term memory issues as well as other factors, you will be in position to speak with authority. Next, it’s time to write articles and/or advertise in local news shoppers. Often these free newspaper flyers will publish for free if you are a health care professional. Your target age group runs from about 40-65. These health conscious folks are often found at health spas and workout centers and they have learned to surf the web. When you design your website be sure to employ larger fonts and key your webpage to the city where you practice. Local health food stores may be willing to display your brochure on “brain tuning” memory rejuvenation.”
(2) Age Related Cognitive Decline: assessment By John N Demos, MA, LCMHC, BCIA-EEG
Assessing for age related cognitive decline requires EEG recording and cognitive assessment instruments. As a licensed health care provider you will need an intake form that will catch prevailing pathology. However, be careful not give the impression that you are targeting pathology; Boomers are seeking cognitive restoration & rejuvenation. For example, depression impacts mood but it may also be responsible for memory lapses; therefore, if possible, skillfully “reframe” depression as memory deficit disorder (MDD). Assessment tools include computerized tests such as Continuous performance tests. However, professional tests such as “MicroCog: Assessment of Cognitive Functioning” assess memory in a way that may be more appropriate for the baby boomer population. Need a simple on-line test? Try this link http://www.allthetests.com/tests/flipmatch/puzzle.php3 The goal is to create a baseline test(s) that can be re-administered after 5 training sessions or less. You must be able to demonstrate practice efficacy if you are to succeed with this group. EEG assessments are critical to your success. Some may choose to use a full QEEG or a miniQ assessment. Regardless, the goal is to determine what EEG abnormalities are contributing to memory decline. (Remember, sleeping medication, sleep deprivation, depression and Candida (yeast overgrowth) as well as a host of other physiological problems may be the source of memory and retrieval failures.) Dementia or Alzheimer’s are not categorized as age-related cognitive decline. What we are hoping to find is reduced peak frequency (9Hz instead of the normal adult 10Hz), frontal or LH slowing, as well as Bursts of Rhythmic Temporal Theta (BORTTs). Required reading on this subject include: Abstra Angelakis, E., Stathopoulou, S., Frymiare, J. L., Green, D. L., Lubar, J. F., & Kounios, J. (2007). EEG neurofeedback: A brief overview and an example of peak alpha frequency training for cognitive enhancement in the elderly. Clinical Neuropsychology, 21(1), 110-129. Budzynski, T. H. (1996). Brain brightening: Can neurofeedback improve cognitive process? Biofeedback, 24(2), 14-17. Hammond, D, C. (2005). Temporal Lobes and Their Importance in Neurofeedback. Journal of Neurotherapy, 9(1), 67-70. Once the assessment phase is complete, you are ready for training:
(3) Age Related Cognitive Decline: Training By John N Demos, MA, LCMHC, BCIA-EEG
Neurofeedback training for memory enhancement targets the areas of the brain that influence memory. Frontal and temporal lobes (especially LH) are key players in the role of memory making and retrieval. Deeper structures of interest include the hippocampus in the limbic system. Enhanced brain functioning requires adequate glucose and oxygen. If we take a holistic approach to biofeedback we will encourage baby-boomer clients to improve brain functioning at home and not just in our office. Exercise (aerobic and resistance training), dietary changes and supplements can help, consider the following articles: http://www.thedietchannel.com/Natural-Health-Perspectives-Improve-Your-Memory-With-Diet.htm http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/1/cmi_2314705/cid_5/code_30171 Neurofeedback training is a potent way to improve memory and general cognitive performance. Peak frequency training combined with slow alpha (8-10 Hz or 6-10 Hz) suppression at posterior sites may well serve to boost processing speed. Alpha training may help to improve general memory. Many boomers with age-related-cognitive-decline have Bursts of Rhythmic Temporal Theta (BORTTs). Downtraining or suppressing 6-10 Hz or 4-7.5 Hz with a bipolar montage that includes T3 may well serve to brighten up the brain. Remember “BORTTs” may not show up on a QEEG topographical brain map, it is essential to examine the raw EEG. In some cases HEG-neurofeedback may be very valuable. But, when employing (NIR) HEG-Neurofeedback (Toomim) at Fp1, Fp2 and Fpz it is essential that your assessment has determined that frontal lobe slowing is present that is evidenced by an elevated theta-to-beta ratio. (See “Getting Started with Neurofeedback” pages 85-89). HEG training should be done under task or with graphics that demand interaction by the trainee.
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STS workshops will show you how to add peak performance training to your practice. Join our next workshop: sign up today at ISNR. For upcoming dates check out the following website: http://www.stresstherapysolutions.org/
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All three articles may be found on this page Cont'd from Vol(3)Issue(3) |