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Parenting is both rewarding and challenging. Every parent dreams of seeing their child flourish and be happy. But when struggles arise - whether at school, at home, or in social situations - it can be heartbreaking to watch. You want to help, but sometimes traditional approaches don’t seem to be enough. That’s where neurofeedback comes in.

If you're curious about the safety of neurofeedback for kids, we've got all the answers! An innovative, non-invasive approach, neurofeedback may be exactly what you've been looking for - a gentle yet effective way to support your child's mental health and development.

Key Takeaways

• Neurofeedback is a brain training method that uses the brain's neuroplasticity and our ability to learn through feedback to help us improve focus, behavior, and emotion regulation, among others.

• Neurofeedback is suitable for people of all ages, including children, as it is non-invasive. Therapy sessions involve real-time monitoring of brainwave activity or blood flow and oxygenation using engaging activities.

• Neurofeedback can help children with ADHD, ASD, and anxiety, among others. It can also help enhance cognitive performance and promote overall well-being.

Read This Before Using Neurofeedback for Your Child

Before discussing neurofeedback and its potential benefits for children, we should mention that although this therapy has been used and studied since the 1960s, many of its potential clinical benefits are still being researched.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of studies aiming at understanding the effects of neurofeedback treatment on people with different mental health conditions. Most of them conclude that this therapy can indeed yield positive results. But yet again, most of them also mention that further research is required to fully confirm these results.

Therefore, if your child has been diagnosed with a mental health condition and you want to try neurofeedback to help with symptoms, it's important to approach this treatment with caution.

On the other hand, if you simply want to help your child boost their cognitive performance, you can safely do so using consumer-grade devices deemed safe for at-home wellness practices.

Is Neurofeedback Beneficial for Kids?

In the world of brain improvement, neurofeedback shines as a fascinating approach, being especially helpful for kids struggling with ADHD and other learning disorders. At its heart, neurofeedback is a brain training method that uses Electroencephalography (EEG) to read brainwave activity and provide instant feedback. This enables children to fine-tune their brain rhythms, leading to better focus, improved behavior, and balanced emotions.

The appeal of neurofeedback therapy stems largely from its non-intrusive nature. Unlike pharmaceuticals, which can come with a maze of side effects, neurofeedback uses sensors placed on the scalp to monitor brainwave patterns, guiding the child toward healthier mental states. Therefore, this method is particularly appealing to parents who have doubts about using medication.

So, how exactly does neurofeedback work, and is it effective for children? The key is in the brain’s amazing ability to change from feedback, which is linked to neuroplasticity and operant conditioning.

How Does Neurofeedback Work?

Essentially, neurofeedback is EEG biofeedback. In turn, biofeedback is a technique used to increase self-awareness in regard to physiological functions like heart rate or skin temperature. Thus, neurofeedback is a branch of biofeedback that focuses on brain function and the central nervous system.

During neurofeedback sessions, the patients have electrodes placed on their scalp. Those electrodes register the electrical impulses, or the brain wave patterns, within the brain. Then, this information is transmitted to a device and translated for the patient into real-time feedback. These electrodes measure five brain waves: delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma.

Typically, during a neurofeedback session, children are asked to play a video game or listen to music, which makes the process much more enjoyable (than taking medication, for instance!). Then, they get visual or auditory feedback that helps them understand how their brain works and encourages them to repeat activities they associate with positive outcomes.

Nonetheless, neurofeedback isn't performed only through EEG. There are other advanced neurofeedback technologies, like fNIRS and fMRI, which, instead of tracking brain waves, focus on blood flow and oxygenation. Plus, fNIRS neurofeedback can also be done at home by using a wearable device like Mendi, although this option is recommended only for wellness purposes.

How Neurofeedback Helps Children

Neurofeedback has shown remarkable benefits for children, particularly in improving attention, emotional resilience, and executive function. One of the key mechanisms behind these improvements is neurofeedback’s ability to interrupt bad habits or, in other words, discourage kids from repeating habits associated with negative outcomes.

For children with learning disabilities, for example, neurofeedback can be a game-changer. It has been shown to assist in areas like literacy and numeracy, helping improve academic performance. There is, in fact, a study that focuses particularly on the effect of neurofeedback on mathematical learning outcomes. The scientists concluded that "by promoting attentional focus, reducing anxiety, and enhancing working memory, an increase in alpha power can also improve mathematical learning outcomes."

And that's not all - neurofeedback therapy isn't just about schoolwork. It also helps children get better at managing their feelings and dealing with stress, thus providing them with the tools they need to handle the ups and downs of everyday life.

But it's not all roses - as mentioned at the beginning of this article, the effects of clinical neurofeedback are still being researched. For example, one study has concluded that there are "arguments in the literature both against and in favor of fostering EEG-based NF learning in children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other specific learning disorders [but] there has been rapid progress in the field, especially in the application of NF for education." They confirm that further research is required before clear conclusions can be drawn.

Neurofeedback Therapy Sessions

Knowing what goes on during neurofeedback therapy can make you, the parent, as well as your child(ren), feel more comfortable with the entire process. Usually, you'll have to come to the clinic once or twice a week, where your kid will watch a movie or play a game while having the electrodes on their scalp.

A big part of neurofeedback therapy is having the parents involved in the process because it is extremely important for everyone involved - the parents, the child, and the therapist - to understand what is happening and how to help the child sustain the benefits achieved at the clinic.

Another crucial aspect you need to know about neurofeedback therapy is that it's highly personalized. The treatment should be tailored to fit each child's unique needs. This step plays a crucial role in making sure that the therapy works well and helps your kid get the best possible results.

Creating a Brain Map

The first step in neurofeedback therapy is creating a brain map, which is also called quantitative EEG (qEEG). As its name implies, qEEG is like a map of your child's brain wave activity. It can pinpoint dysregulations that need to be balanced during the treatment.

After the therapist analyzes the brain map, they can safely choose a training protocol that fits the needs of your child. For example, if they notice there is too much beta brain wave activity (which can be the cause of various problems like high arousal), they'll need to increase a different brain wave activity to balance them out.

Duration and Frequency of Sessions

The length and frequency of neurofeedback sessions vary, but most children require 20-40 sessions to get the best results. These sessions usually occur a few times a week for 2-4 months. Sticking to this schedule is extremely important to make sure that the treatment works.

However, the exact number of sessions needed is different for each child, depending on what they need help with and how serious their condition is. Most kids begin to notice good changes after about 10-20 sessions.

At-home neurofeedback systems can make neurofeedback training easier for children, which might make the treatment even more effective. However, they should only be used at a doctor's recommendation if the goal is to manage a certain mental health condition.

If you want to learn about neurofeedback therapy cost, you can check our guide here.

What Can Neurofeedback Help With?

Neurofeedback therapy is a powerful tool in clinical practice that can help both kids and adults, whether with a mental health condition or simply a cognitive boost.

Let’s look at some specific problems neurofeedback can help with.

Addressing ADHD Symptoms

One of the most well-documented benefits of neurofeedback is its effectiveness in addressing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. In fact, a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics has confirmed that neurofeedback can really be a great tool in improving ADHD symptoms.

When children start this brain training early, they often see improvements in their ability to focus, remember things, and pay attention at school, for example - all crucial skills for any kid with ADHD. Impressively, there's a chance of 32-47% remission and long-lasting effects in children with ADHD who try neurofeedback. This means they get better at staying on task, regulating their behavior, and being less impulsive. This brain boost can improve their success at school and increase their self-confidence.

But how exactly does neurofeedback help? For instance, kids with ADHD symptoms like disorganization and getting easily distracted have an abundance of delta or theta brain waves and not enough beta brain waves. In this case, the goal of neurofeedback is to balance these.

Neurofeedback for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental and neurological condition that affects one's communication skills, behavior, and learning abilities. It has been shown that neurofeedback can be a game-changer for kids diagnosed with ASD. By enhancing the brain's communication efficiency, neurofeedback can significantly improve a child's social interactions and family dynamics. It fosters greater flexibility and resilience in children with autism, enabling them to manage their emotions and behaviors more efficiently.

A study has shown that high-functioning autistic children have registered, among other changes, an increase in low beta power and a decrease in theta power after neurofeedback training. These changes occurred over 40 neurofeedback sessions. These modifications improved their "social behavior, communication interactions and synchronization." Results also indicated "significant improvement in attention span, cognitive flexibility." However, scientists concluded that "the earlier the intervention takes place, the better impact and outcome can be found for both the children and their families."

Managing Anxiety Symptoms

Neurofeedback treatment can help children with anxiety disorders. Besides ADHD and ASD, anxiety is at the top when it comes to mental health conditions diagnosed in children. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, "nearly 1 in 12 children and 1 in 4 adolescents" suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety affects their overall well-being and the quality of life. It can also negatively affect their future.

As such, it has been shown that neurofeedback can be a powerful complementary treatment for anxiety, as it helps children produce calmer brain wave patterns, thus also encouraging them to become more grounded and focus on positive things.

In one study, ten children aged 6-8 years with social anxiety disorder were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group underwent 16 neurofeedback sessions of 45 minutes three times a week, with one session dedicated to gathering baseline brain wave data and identifying abnormal brain waves. During the following sessions, the children were asked to move the animations on the screen. When the brain wave patterns changed towards the desired state based on the protocol, the animation started to move, and the child received a high score after maintaining that brain wave state for 15 seconds.

The scientists concluded that "neurofeedback can be considered a complementary therapeutic approach to improve behavioral performance in children with social anxiety disorder."

Enhancing Social Interactions

While neurofeedback is primarily praised for being an alternative treatment for children with ADHD and ASD, it is not used only for managing symptoms of a mental health condition. It can also help children with the following abilities:

• Neurofeedback can improve their communication skills, thus helping them create healthy relationships with friends, schoolmates, and family.

• Brain training can help them regulate their emotions better and improve their stress management skills. This will prepare them for stressful situations they may encounter in the future and teach them how to react to the physiological and mental responses these situations cause. For example, instead of becoming extremely anxious when there's a problem, they'll remain calm and look for a solution without overexerting their nervous system.

• Neurofeedback can teach children how to learn more efficiently, which can improve their performance at school and boost their sense of self-worth.

• Neurofeedback can also help children with various behavioral issues like meltdowns or tantrums.

• Neurofeedback training can also help improve the quality of sleep, which is extremely important for children.

Safety and Efficacy of Neurofeedback for Kids

One of the most compelling aspects of neurofeedback therapy is its non-invasive nature. This brain training method employs positive reinforcement during sessions, allowing the mind to learn without the use of medication or forced alterations to brain states.

However, the safety of this therapy is directly connected to the correctness of the treatment protocol, which is why it's of utmost importance to choose a healthcare professional with extensive experience in neurofeedback therapy.

It's also important to note that factors such as stress and lifestyle changes can affect the stability of neurofeedback benefits. Therefore, maintaining a supportive environment and healthy lifestyle can help sustain the improvements achieved through neurofeedback therapy.

At-Home vs. In-Office Neurofeedback

The rule of thumb when it comes to at-home vs in-office neurofeedback is the following:

• Opt for in-office neurofeedback if your child needs help with the symptoms of a mental health condition.

• Opt for at-home neurofeedback if your goal is to use this brain training technique as a wellness practice or if your doctor has recommended it. Home neurofeedback equipment is not medical equipment, which is why it does not substitute medical advice.

Home neurofeedback systems are usually quite easy to use. Most of them are linked to a smartphone app on which your child can play various games, so the process is also quite fun!

Get Your Mendi for At-Home Neurofeedback!

If you think your child will benefit from at-home neurofeedback or your doctor has recommended using such equipment for remote training, you can try the Mendi headband. Here's why it stands out from other devices on the market:

• It is the first consumer-grade neurofeedback device using the advanced fNIRS technology.

• Unlike other devices, which measure brain waves, our headband measures the blood flow and oxygenation levels in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for your child's ability to regulate thoughts and emotions, make decisions, learn and remember things, and other similar functions.

• It is a budget-friendly option priced at $299, which also includes a lifetime app subscription for no additional fees.

• The device can be used by your whole family! All you have to do is install your own app and create your account.

• The app has an interactive game that will make your child visualize the power of the brain! It has been used by many kids who absolutely loved the experience!

Last but not least, the Mendi device has been assessed and tested by numerous neuroscience specialists and other field-related experts who were strongly impressed by the device's adherence to science. Additionally, research partnerships are harnessing the benefits of the Mendi device to investigate its potential for improving stress management and preventing burnout among professionals in high-pressure environments.

Although the Mendi device is safe for people of all ages, we recommend this training only for kids aged 5+ for practical reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is neurofeedback, and how does it work?

Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that utilizes EEG to monitor brain activity and offers real-time feedback, enabling the brain to develop healthier patterns. This training can enhance cognitive and emotional functions, leading to significant improvements in mental well-being.

Can children do neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is generally considered safe for children as long as it's performed correctly. It is a non-invasive technique that encourages brain learning through positive reinforcement without the use of medication. This makes it a suitable option for fostering cognitive development in young individuals.

Who should not do neurofeedback?

People with pre-existing neurological conditions should not start neurofeedback training without talking to their doctor. These conditions, like epilepsy, may increase the risk of adverse reactions.

How quickly does neurofeedback work?

You can expect to see benefits from neurofeedback after approximately 10-20 sessions, with optimal results generally achieved after 30-40 sessions within a two- to four-month period.

Can neurofeedback help with conditions other than ADHD?

Neurofeedback can potentially help with various conditions beyond ADHD, such as autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues, enhancing attention and emotional regulation. It demonstrates potential benefits for improving social interactions as well.