Neurometric Results of a Case Series Using live Z-Scores Neurofeedback

Oltra-Cucarella²,

Carrobles³

2021

Behav. Psychol.

Children with learning disabilities (LD) can have difficulties in reading at word level, text comprehension, writing or arithmetic. Several studies have shown the efficacy of neurofeedback (NF) in improving learning skills through brainwave operant conditioning in children with LD. The aim of this work was to show the efficacy of live z-score NF training (LZT) for quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) normalization in school children with LD. Twenty-eight children aged 10-15 years with LD participated. Ten 30-min sessions of QEEG-guided LZT using patient’s highly preferred feedback were applied. After 10 sessions of QEEG-guided LZT, participants showed statistically significant improvements in QEEG normalization and a statistically significant small to medium improvement in the Cognitive and Emotional Checklist. The results suggest that LZT-NF produces a tendency towards normalization of brain waves in children with LD, and might be advised as a therapeutic alternative or coadjuvant along with cognitive interventions.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Effects of quantitative electroencephalogram normalization using 4-channel live z-score training neurofeedback for children with learning disabilities: preliminary data

Oltra-Cucarella²,

Carrobles³

2021

Behav. Psychol.

“…No significant LZT-NF-related side effects have been reported in 15 years since the technique’s development [ 33 , 35 , 36 ]. Our previous reports [ 73 , 74 ], in several cases using the Wigton and Krigbaum method [ 38 , 39 ], and the current study further strengthen this idea.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Individual Alpha Peak Frequency, an Important Biomarker for Live Z-Score Training Neurofeedback in Adolescents with Learning Disabilities

Oltra-Cucarella

Carrobles

et al. 2021

Brain Sciences

Learning disabilities (LDs) have an estimated prevalence between 5% and 9% in the pediatric population and are associated with difficulties in reading, arithmetic, and writing. Previous electroencephalography (EEG) research has reported a lag in alpha-band development in specific LD phenotypes, which seems to offer a possible explanation for differences in EEG maturation. In this study, 40 adolescents aged 10–15 years with LDs underwent 10 sessions of Live Z-Score Training Neurofeedback (LZT-NF) Training to improve their cognition and behavior. Based on the individual alpha peak frequency (i-APF) values from the spectrogram, a group with normal i-APF (ni-APF) and a group with low i-APF (li-APF) were compared in a pre-and-post-LZT-NF intervention. There were no statistical differences in age, gender, or the distribution of LDs between the groups. The li-APF group showed a higher theta absolute power in P4 (p = 0.016) at baseline and higher Hi-Beta absolute power in F3 (p = 0.007) post-treatment compared with the ni-APF group. In both groups, extreme waves (absolute Z-score of ≥1.5) were more likely to move toward the normative values, with better results in the ni-APF group. Conversely, the waves within the normal range at baseline were more likely to move out of the range after treatment in the li-APF group. Our results provide evidence of a viable biomarker for identifying optimal responders for the LZT-NF technique based on the i-APF metric reflecting the patient’s neurophysiological individuality.

“…However, studies on the application of LZT in insomnia are scarce, both in group designs and in single-case designs. The main objective of LZT is to train patient EEG Z-scores, deviated from the norm, to behave normally; it does so with a low probability that waves with a normal amplitude move out of the normal range (Pérez-Elvira et al, 2018). To do this, all the patient's EEG Z-scores are computed and collected at all times, the percentage of Z-scores within a specific range (±1 standard deviation SD) is calculated, and the patient receives feedback every time the percentage of Z-scores within the normal range is equal to or higher than the requested percentage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of Live Z-Score Neurofeedback Training for Chronic Insomnia: A Single-Case Study

Carrobles

Bote³

et al. 2019

Objective/Background: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in the general population. Pharmacological treatments have shown efficacy in the short term, yet the symptoms return once the treatment has been withdrawn. In the search for treatment options with long-lasting effects, neurofeedback (NF) has arisen as a therapeutic option. Neurofeedback is the application of operant conditioning to brain activity. The aim of this work is to show the effectiveness of Live Z-Score NF training (LZT), a paradigm within the field of NF, in a case of insomnia. Participants: A 32-year-old male with chronic insomnia since his adolescence. Methods: Thirty 35-min sessions of qEEG-guided LZT using patient's highly preferred feedback. The main outcomes of this study were the patient's qEEG metrics and a visual analog scale of sleep quality throughout the intervention. Results: qEEG-guided LZT showed an improvement of 90.63% of the patient's qEEG metrics and an 82.55% relief of the clinical symptoms after 30 NF sessions. Conclusions: Although more research is needed to establish that NF based on Live Z-Score is effective for insomnia, our results suggest that NF might be a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of insomnia.