At Team Health Care Clinic in Champlin, one of our most effective therapies to help those with autism and Asperger’s syndrome is neurofeedback. For this reason we were interested in a recent study using neurofeedback to identify the brainwave pattern unique to those in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) group.
Autism spectrum disorder is a group of neurological dysfunctions ranging from hyperactivity to Asperger’s syndrome, resulting in brain imbalances that lead to challenges in thinking, talking, recognizing and expressing emotion, and social interactions.
Autism spectrum disorder and brainwave patterns
Science Daily published a study showing those with autism and Asperger’s syndrome have poorer connections in the brain. The study used neurofeedback to identify brainwave patterns unique to those with autism spectrum disorder, then showed the effectiveness of using neurofeedback training to improve connections in the brain.
The researchers reported: “The team used a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG), which measures electrical activity through 19 electrodes resting on the head during specific tasks. It allows them to see brainwaves that move at different frequencies, creating a brain map showing more or less activity in different regions of the brain.”
A QEEG compares the patient’s brainwaves to a normal control group’s brainwaves. This is the technology our providers at Team Health Care Clinic use.
The researchers also looked at the success of individuals with ASD using neurofeedback training to improve brain connections. They found that “neurofeedback training based on a QEEG-guided protocol was more effective than neurofeedback based on symptoms.”
If you know someone who has any of these conditions that fall in the autism spectrum disorder group, please tell them about this exciting technology. Want to learn more? Schedule a free consultation in our clinic.
Jay Bertsch, DC