The Learning Curve in neurofeedback of Peter Van Deusen: A review article

Abstract

The Learning Curve (TLC) in neurofeedback concept emerged after Peter Van Deusen compiled the results of articles on the expected electrical activity of the brain. This concept was subsequently tested on patients at four clinics in Atlanta between 1994 and 2001. The aim of this paper was to report the historical aspects of TLC. Articles published on the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science were reviewed. During patient evaluation, TLC investigates categories called disconnected, hot temporal lobes, reversal of alpha and beta waves, blocking, locking, and filtering or processing. This enables neuroscientists to use their training designs and, by means of behavioral psychology, to work on neuroregulation, as self-regulation for patients. TLC shows the relationships between electrical, mental and behavioral activity in patients. It also identifies details of patterns that can assist physicians in their choice of treatment.

Treatment of Depression with Quantitative Electroencephalography(QEEG) of the TQ-7 Neuro-feedback System Increases the Level of Attention of Patients

“…These symptoms are associated to a reversal or asymmetry of alpha waves (8-12 Hz) [13,15,16]. Thus, the importance of the right hemisphere, represented by eight even points (Fp2, F4, F8, C4, T4, P4, T6 and O2) [13,17] in the international 10-20 electroencephalography mapping system, is observed.…”

“…The TRAINERS' QEEG (TQ-7) was organized by Peter Van Deusen [13] and is a system consisting of an amplifier, called Q-wiz, with four simultaneous channels of 24-bit resolution and a maximum sampling rate of 512 samples per second; this means that signals of up to 256 Hz (half the sampling rate) are acquired. Each channel has a 0.2 Hz high-pass filter to eliminate frequencies below this value.…”

“…A standard was established for TLC investigation protocol of the TQ-7 system [13,14] in relation to the expected conformation of depression symptoms. In TLC protocol for the TQ-7 system, it is possible to identify a pattern of brain electrical activity that signals the presence of symptoms of depression named by Van Deusen as Reversal 13.…”

“…In TLC protocol for the TQ-7 system, it is possible to identify a pattern of brain electrical activity that signals the presence of symptoms of depression named by Van Deusen as Reversal 13. It was demonstrated that within this category it is possible to find specific symptoms for two types of depression: depression with symptoms of hopelessness and symptoms of agitated depression [13].…”

“…However, these skills may be impaired if there is interference from intervening variables such as stress. Although there are studies demonstrating the difficulty of attention due to depression, there are no findings in the literature investigating the treatment of depression and consequently improvement in attention using The Learning Curve (TLC) technique and the neurofeedback TQ-7 system [13]. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the level of attention of patients with depression resulting from treatment using quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) of the neurofeedback TQ-7 system.…”