Neurofeedback – also called EEG-Biofeedback – is a scientifically proven brain training to improve certain functions of the brain. Patients learn to change their brain waves to enhance certain skills, such as concentration, memory, top performance, creativity, relaxation, etc. Since more than 15 years the German Neuroscience Center is the leading clinic for Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychology in the UAE. We are offering the highest quality Neurofeedback treatment with the leading Neurofeedback experts in the region.

Which Disorders Are Treated With Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a painless and non-invasive procedure that has been used for a variety of diseases for over 30 years.

  • ADHD, ADD – Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorders (Evidence base level 5)
  • Epilepsy (Evidence base level 5)
  • Learning disabilities
  • Autism and Asperger Syndrome
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes, migraines, autism, dementia, tic disorders as Tourette Syndrome, Parkinson Disease, Lyme disease and can be treated as well.

Neurofeedback is a new treatment option for the above-mentioned disorders to achieve rapid and permanent changes in the areas of cognition, behavioral problems, affective regulation, and social adaptation and function.

What Does A Neurofeedback Session Look Like?

The patient is sitting relaxed in front of a screen. The activity of the brain waves is recorded by means of sensors (EEG recording) and displayed graphically by a computer program. The patient is given various tasks in order to change the brain waves. The brain receives information about its activity and learns to optimize it by means of feedback that is perceived via images, videos, sound etc.

How Does Neurofeedback Work?

The patient’s brain waves are recorded using an EEG. A special computer program divides the brain waves into frequency ranges and analysis them. Depending on the clinical picture, certain pathological patterns of brain activity are recognized, and the patient is given appropriate feedback. There are many different forms of feedback such as films, tones, games, etc. The patient should learn to encourage certain activities or suppress others. The patient uses this to train his brain until the desired pattern occurs and the symptoms are improved.

The feedback is based on the principle of so-called operant conditioning. This means: The feedback given to the patient is a reward if the patient succeeds in activating certain areas of the brain in such a way that they generate the desired brain activity. Our brain wants to be rewarded as often as possible. It tries to permanently recognize and understand the patterns hidden in the feedback in order to receive a reward as often as possible. This process happens completely unconsciously, without active intervention by the patient and without medication.

What Are Brain Waves?

In a raw EEG brain activity is divided by frequencies: GAMMA greater than 30(Hz) BETA (13-30Hz), ALPHA (8-12 Hz), THETA (4-8 Hz), and DELTA (less than 4 Hz). Faster waves are needed to complete a complex task, slower waves are seen when relaxing or sleeping. However, brain waves always appear as a mix. Imbalances can cause disorders such as being nervous or anxious when too many fast waves are seen in the EEG.

eeg electroencephalography dubai

WHAT IS AN EEG (Electroencephalogram) / QEEG (Quantitative EEG, Brain mapping)?

An EEG is a scientific method for recording brain waves as described above. The brain waves are reordered via surface electrodes placed on the scalp. The locations of the electrodes are defined by the 10-20 system. The graphic visualization over time is called a raw EEG. It is the standard way to see multipole brain pathologies including seizures / epilepsy.

In a quantitative EEG the analysis process is extended by selecting and editing the best episodes of the raw EEG and comparing them to a database.

It is best practice to perform a qEEG before starting the actual Neurofeedback training. The qEEG visualizes the activity of the brain in different locations. These findings are matched with the client complaints (EEG biomarker match, QEEG Pro). Apart from reviewing the raw EEG data, the raw data – according to age, gender and handedness is getting compared to a normative database (Neuroguide, Dr. B. Thatcher – FDA approved database of adults and children). This scientific method produces comprehensive information about the distribution of brain activity, like a prism breaking light up into its constituent spectral colors. This is called a bitmap. Moreover, a LORETA will be performed (Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomographic analysis) which produces 3 dimensional images to find functional abnormalities in the deeper structures of the brain – similar to functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) of the brain. On top of this, a clinical Q analysis (Dr. Paul Swingel) will be performed to compare amplitudes and ratios of brain activity.

What Does Neurofeedback Feel Like?

You will feel an electro cap on your head, soft as you wear a bathing cap when going swimming. You sit in a comfortable chair which is adjusted towards your needs, to ensure that you feel comfortable and relaxed. The electro cap is connected to an amplifier that forwards the recorded signals to a computer who translates them. You will look onto a second monitor where your translated brainwaves will drive a game or a movie in real-time. Now the subconscious learning process starts as your brain figures out fast what it has to do to score in a game or to drive the movie (operant conditioning). Soon you will feel the difference as well, as brain fog disappears, you feel more concentrated, maybe as well a bit happier as when you came. You will see that your abilities either in competing or speed are increasing. The medical professional will sit direct next to you guaranteeing that the whole training starting from recoding sites of your head, collection of data, translation and rewarding of desirable brain activity is done at the highest professional standard. There is absolutely nothing to be concerned about or worried about.

Is Neurofeedback Effective And Scientifically Proven?

Neurofeedback is efficient for most clients with perceptible results. Neurofeedback training is a learning process; therefore, results are seen gradually over time. In about ten sessions you will already feel an improvement of your complaints. Most patients meet their treatment goals in 20 sessions, depending on their condition. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes, which includes the hook-up, training homework assignments and discussion of session-to-session progress.

Neurofeedback is FDA approved, and meets the highest criteria for evidence-based neurofeedback practice. It has been cross validated by both PET and MRI, is used by Universities, Medical Centers, the US military, Research Institutes, etc. The hardware and software used for Neurofeedback in our Medical Center was designed and developed by one of the world leaders in brain research and neurofeedback.

Is Neurofeedback Safe?

Neurofeedback is non-invasive and painless. No medication is administered. Therefore, Neurofeedback is known to be very safe. No severe side effects are reported in over 30 years of application. Neurofeedback is FDA approved for safety and efficiency.

Can Children Do Neurofeedback?

Yes, Neurofeedback is safe and efficient for kids from 6 years onwards. Moreover, adolescents and adults of all age groups are treated with Neurofeedback.

How Many Neurofeedback Sessions Are Needed?

The number of sessions depends on the severity of symptoms and disorder. Each patient receives a customized treatment plan based on the individual case. As a first step, the patient will be thoroughly examined including a comprehensive anamnesis incl. present and past medical history, family history, current medication, physical and psychopathological examination. In a next step a qEEG will be performed. Based on the findings the treatment plan will we discussed with the patient. Usually the brain needs 20-40 training sessions to learn the new pattern> Depending on the performance of the individual it can me less or more sessions.

Why To Choose Us For Your Neurofeedback Training?

The German Neuroscience Center is the leading clinic for Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychology in the UAE. Dr. Doerthe is a Consultant Neurologist with more than 20 years of experience in her field. She is Board Certified in Neurofeedback, BCIA (Biofeedback Certification International Alliance) and member of the Biofeedback Association of South Africa and The International Society for Neurofeedback & Research (ISNR) guaranteeing excellence in the field of Neurofeedback training by continuous education and exchange with other practitioners.

Being the only medical doctor (neurologist) and  Neurofeedback expert in the UAE, Dr. Doerthe combines both skills required to receive the best outcomes in Neurofeedback.

Board Certification demonstrates professionalism and adherence to carefully developed standards as a healthcare provider. Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) procedures follow the Department of Health & Human Services Guidelines. Healthcare professionals who achieve BCIA Certification demonstrate commitment to professionalism by completing basic degree and educational requirements, endorsing a rigorous code of professional conduct, learning to apply clinical biofeedback skills during mentorship, and passing a written examination.

BCIA is the only institute recognized worldwide that grants certification to biofeedback practitioners. The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), the Biofeedback Foundation of Europe (BFE), and the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) all endorse BCIA certification. BCIA was established in 1981 to certify individuals who meet education and training standards in biofeedback and to progressively recertify those who advance their knowledge through continuing education. Currently, more than 1,500 healthcare professionals have achieved this certification in 25 countries.

Neurofeedback Certificate Dubai

Neurofeedback References

  • The Biofeedback Certification International Alliance:  bcia.org
  • The Biofeedback Certification International Alliance: Why Choose a BCIA-Certified Professional?
  • The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback: aapb.org
  • BrainMaster Bio- and Neurofeedback equipment: brainmaster.com
  • The International Society for Neurofeedback and Research: isnr.org
  • qEEGPro – http://qeegpro.eegprofessionals.nl/
  • Biofeedback Association of South Africa: http://biofeedbacksa.co.za
  • Yucha and Montgomery : Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback (2nd)