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Neurofeedback was scientifically demonstrated in the 1960s, and it undoubtedly caught the attention of scientists who rushed to understand how its benefits could be used for various psychological conditions. By the end of the 1990s, neurofeedback had already been widely used in clinical settings and continuously studied for other potential uses.

Today, thanks to technological advancements, neurofeedback can also be done at home. Numerous wearable devices have been introduced to the market, bringing this advanced technology to people's homes. However, at-home neurofeedback is not the same as in-clinic neurofeedback, which is exactly what we'll talk about today. In this article, we'll discuss what each means, their benefits, indications, and costs.

Key Takeaways

• In-clinic neurofeedback is usually performed through electroencephalography (EEG) and follows a personalized protocol. It is usually recommended for managing various mental health conditions like ADHD, depression, or anxiety.

• At-home neurofeedback can be performed using consumer-grade neurofeedback devices that use EEG or functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). It is recommended only for wellness purposes, thus not being suitable for those who have been priorly diagnosed with a mental health disorder.

What Is In-Clinic Neurofeedback?

In-clinic neurofeedback involves undergoing neurofeedback sessions at a specialized clinic under the supervision of trained professionals. It is usually done using electroencephalography (EEG). There are other neurofeedback technologies out there, but they are much more expensive and usually used only for research purposes.

More often than not, the in-clinic therapy begins with a quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG), which is basically a brain map of the patient's brainwave activity. This helps the therapist choose a personalized protocol.

Then, during the neurofeedback sessions per se, the patient has some sensors placed on their scalp, which monitor brain function and brainwave activity. At the same time, the patient is asked to engage in some sort of activity - watch a video, listen to music, or play a game, for example.

The electrodes gather the required data based on the protocol (which usually focuses on specific brain waves and brain areas) and translate that information into real-time feedback that the patient uses to understand their brain activity. As the brainwave patterns shift towards a desired state, positive feedback is given, reinforcing the new neural pathways.

For example, if the goal is to improve the patient's focus and they're watching a video during a neurofeedback session, the video may stop if the patient isn't focused enough. It then starts when the patient regains focus. As such, neurofeedback usually works through visual or auditory feedback.

Who Can Benefit from In-Clinic Neurofeedback?

In-clinic neurofeedback therapy can be used by individuals of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. It is often used as a complementary therapy for various mental health conditions, including:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Anxiety disorders

• Autism

• Depression

• Insomnia

• Panic attacks

• Traumatic brain injuries

This therapy is primarily sought-after thanks to its non-invasive nature, which means it doesn't require patients to take any medication with a lot of potential side effects.

Beyond addressing specific conditions, neurofeedback training can enhance cognitive function and help individuals achieve peak performance. Athletes, executives, and students looking to optimize their mental performance also turn to neurofeedback for cognitive enhancement.

Emotion regulation, improved sleep, and better overall brain health are additional neurofeedback benefits.

Benefits and Drawbacks of In-Clinic Neurofeedback

Here are the benefits of in-clinic neurofeedback:

• Professional guidance. During neurofeedback sessions, patients are constantly supervised by a professional. Plus, their neurofeedback protocol is fully personalized, targeting the brainwaves that need to be balanced. Additionally, if the patient notices any side effects, the therapist can make adjustments to the protocol right away.

• Structured sessions. Neurofeedback only works if the sessions are consistent. By doing it at a specialized clinic, patients make sure their entire therapy, which may include up to 40 sessions, is scheduled beforehand.

On the other hand, neurofeedback can be quite expensive and may not be covered by insurance, which can be a major drawback.

Another drawback is that patients need to incorporate all the sessions into their schedule, which means they'll have to commit for months to this therapy, not being able to travel, for example.

Last but not least, those who want to try neurofeedback therapy at a clinic may not find a therapist easily. Therefore, it's important to consider the availability of the clinics in your area.

How Much Does In-Clinic Neurofeedback Cost?

One neurofeedback session costs around $120-$200, which amounts to approximately $3,000-$8,000 for 40 sessions (although not everyone needs so many; some patients do well with 20 sessions, for example). Nonetheless, many clinics offer more budget-friendly packages for 10, 20, or 30 sessions.

Don't forget that you may also need an initial qEEG, which is usually not included in the final price. A qEEG usually costs between $200 and $600, depending on the provider.

While these expenses can be significant, the personalized and professional nature of in-clinic neurofeedback often justifies the investment for those looking for more comprehensive brain training sessions.

If you want to learn more about the cost of neurofeedback therapy, check out our comprehensive article on the topic.

Tips For In-Clinic Neurofeedback

Here are some tips that can help you benefit from in-clinic neurofeedback to the maximum:

• Make sure you're training with a certified neurofeedback practitioner who knows what they're doing. It's extremely important that they personalize the protocol based on your particular needs. This will maximize the benefits and reduce the risk of side effects.

• Use it only as a complementary practice. While studies have proven neurofeedback brain training useful for the mental health conditions mentioned above, this medical field is still being researched, and more scientific studies are required to fully confirm its benefits for specific mental health disorders.

• If you experience any side effects, address them immediately with your therapist.

What Is At-Home Neurofeedback?

At-home neurofeedback offers a more flexible and convenient approach to brain training. To perform neurofeedback at home, you'll need a dedicated device, which you can easily purchase online. The difficult task is choosing a device that suits your preferences and goals best.

Most of them use EEG technology, which basically mimics in-clinic neurofeedback, except that it usually doesn't follow a specialized protocol. Instead, it simply measures brainwave activity and provides real-time feedback on a dedicated app.

Alternatively, you can choose functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology typically used only in research settings. The Mendi device, however, brings fNIRS to your home. This neurofeedback technology is just as good as EEG - the difference between the two is what they measure.

While EEG measures brain waves, fNIRS focuses on blood flow and oxygenation. The Mendi device, for example, targets the prefrontal cortex activity, which is the heart of our cognitive abilities. It measures the levels of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin and translates the data into real-time feedback users see on the app while playing a game.

It's worth mentioning that some at-home neurofeedback devices also combine EEG with another type of biofeedback, such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV).

Who Can Benefit from At-Home Neurofeedback?

At-home neurofeedback is usually recommended only for wellness purposes. Most of these consumer-grade devices are not FDA-approved and do not substitute medical diagnosis, advice, and treatment. Therefore, at-home neurofeedback is suitable for those who want to:

• Improve focus

• Improve sleep patterns

• Learn how to regulate their emotions

• Improve stress resilience

• Promote relaxation

• Boost energy levels

• Improve overall cognitive performance and well-being

Nonetheless, at-home neurofeedback therapy may sometimes be recommended by a specialist if in-clinic therapy is not possible. For instance, children may find it more engaging to use such a device than do neurofeedback in clinical settings.

In these cases, the clinic will either provide a device you can rent or recommend a device you can buy. The duration and frequency of the sessions should be recommended by the therapist.

Benefits and Drawbacks of At-Home Neurofeedback

Here are the most notable benefits of home neurofeedback:

• Convenience. You can schedule your sessions at your own pace and perform them from the comfort of your own home. Plus, you can bring the device along while traveling without interrupting your brain training.

• Cost-effectiveness. At-home neurofeedback devices are much more affordable than in-clinic neurofeedback therapy. This is definitely an advantage but should only be considered if your goals are not to manage the symptoms of a certain mental health condition.

However, at-home neurofeedback also has its drawbacks, of which the lack of professional guidance is the most important. If you're doing this training by yourself, you'll have to make sure you're being consistent. Otherwise, the training will have few to no positive effects on your cognitive performance and overall well-being.

Plus, if you have any questions about the device and its benefits, you can only find the answers if you talk to the manufacturer.

For a more comprehensive guide on practicing neurofeedback at home, click here.

How Much Does At-Home Neurofeedback Cost?

The cost of at-home neurofeedback varies based on the equipment and software chosen. For example, a straightforward device like Mendi costs only $299, while a more complex device like Sens.ai costs $1,700.

Therefore, you should choose based on your experience and goals. If you're a beginner, it's best to purchase a more budget-friendly device just to try it out and see if it works for you.

Besides this, you also need access to an app where you can track your progress and play various games while doing neurofeedback. Usually, you'll also have to pay for an app subscription (not with Mendi, though, because our headband comes with a free lifetime app subscription).

These devices usually have a 30-day money-back guarantee, which makes the investment risk-free financially. If you don't like the product, you can simply return it.

Getting Started with Home Neurofeedback

Since we cannot offer any further advice on in-clinic neurofeedback - only a neurofeedback healthcare specialist can provide you with the best information - we'll share some tips on how to get started with at-home neurofeedback:

1. Naturally, the first step is to find the neurofeedback system that works best for you. Make sure to consider its compatibility with your smartphone/tablet, its technology, and the type of feedback, as well as its battery life and warranty. Don't forget to check user reviews - they can be of great help!

2. Prepare a neurofeedback corner. It's recommended to do neurofeedback in a quiet room where you won't get distracted. Also, make sure to follow the manufacturer's advice on how to use the device. For example, fNIRS technology is sensitive to light, so you have to use the Mendi headband only in dimly lit rooms. EEG technology, on the other hand, is sensitive to movement, so you'll have to sit as still as possible during your sessions.

3. Make sure your internet connection is stable before starting any neurofeedback sessions; it can be frustrating to have internet issues during your sessions.

4. Start slowly. If you've never done neurofeedback, it's best to avoid overdoing it during your first sessions; otherwise, you may experience some side effects like headaches. For example, you can start your Mendi training with sessions of only 3 minutes, increasing the duration gradually.

5. Track your progress. Tracking your progress is extremely important because it can help you stay motivated and keep your sessions consistent.

6. Combine neurofeedback with other activities that can lead to mental health improvement. For instance, you can try journaling, meditating, breathing exercises, and other similar practices. For an extra cognitive boost, you can also try various cognitive training exercises and activities like puzzles or Scrabble.

Ready to Incorporate Mendi Into Your Wellness Routine?

If you want to try home neurofeedback brain training for wellness purposes, hurry up and get your own Mendi device!

The efficacy of our advanced brain training fNIRS technology is supported by hundreds of studies, while our device is endorsed by multiple neuroscientists from all over the world. It is safe for both children and adults, and thousands of users have already reaped the benefits of our product!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does neurofeedback at home work?

Neurofeedback at home does work for wellness purposes like cognitive enhancement, improved overall well-being, better sleep quality, and enhanced mental focus and memory skills. If your goal is to alleviate or manage the symptoms of certain mental health conditions, you should undergo neurofeedback in clinical settings.

Is home neurofeedback for kids safe?

Home neurofeedback using devices like Mendi is generally considered safe for kids for wellness goals like cognitive enhancement.

How much does in-clinic neurofeedback cost?

In-clinic neurofeedback typically costs between $120 and $200 per session. Be mindful that there may be additional charges for consultations and advanced services.

What are the benefits of at-home neurofeedback?

At-home neurofeedback provides convenience, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility, enabling users to engage in brain training sessions without leaving their homes.