Rethink impossible.
Neurofeedback
The battle starts in the mind.
Whether you need to increase focus, improve impulse control, or respond quickly & accurately under stress, Sparrow can help you get there. Neurofeedback is exercise for the brain. Neurofeedback is a state-of-the-art, non-invasive method for teaching the brain to function in a more balanced and healthful way.
A 2nd to none experience.
NEUROPERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
Sparrow begins with a NeuroPerformance Assessment to assess brain performance, develop exercise recommendations, and create a benchmark for improvement. The NeuroPerformance Assessment is designed to identify strengths and weaknesses in mental acuity, concentration, problem-solving, multitasking, resource management, decision-making, and sleep tendencies.
CUSTOMIZED INTERACTIVE EXERCISE PROTOCOLS
Your brain waves are directly in control with each protocol to ensure the best training session. Sparrow accesses Fz, Cz, Pz, C3, and C4 and provides customized interactive exercise protocols to improve mental acuity, concentration, and sleep management, unlike many EEG devices.
NEUROPLASTICITY
The one word you need to know.
The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.
Basically meaning your brain can change.
The brain's four divisions of electrical impulses:
These Frequency Bands tell us which parts of your brain are active and which frequencies the brain should be using to complete a given task or activity. The goal of Neurofeedback is to improve the brain’s ability to self-regulate, maintain flexibility, and smoothly shift between states of relaxation and arousal. Since the brain also controls attention, emotional, and affect regulation, this ultimately allows the entire Central Nervous System to resume normal functioning.
BETA
Beta waves are characteristics of a strongly engaged mind. A person making a speech, or a teacher, or a talk show host would all be in beta when they are engaged in their work.
ALPHA
After a long day we wish to relax and wind down, a different part of the brain will need to be activated using the slower brainwave frequency called Alpha.
THETA
A person who has taken time off from a task and begins to daydream is often in a theta brainwave state. One who is driving and discovers that they can't recall the last five miles is often in a theta state.
DELTA
The final brainwave state is delta. Here the brainwaves are of the greatest amplitude and slowest frequency. Deep dreamless sleep would take you down to the lowest frequency. Typically, 2 to 3 cycles a second.
Reading about brain exercise is brain exercise... right?
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM NEUROFEEDBACK?
Everyone can benefit from brain mapping. From the professional athlete to your next-door neighbor, there are countless ways to benefit from brain mapping. Brain mapping has been proven to even help with the following symptoms:
ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Brain Injury, Chronic Pain, Depression, Dyslexia, Epilepsy/Seizures, Fibromyalgia, Learning Disorders, Migraines, OCD/Tourette's, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Substance Abuse.
Neurofeedback results vary on a case to case basis. Some people see immediate results, some people take a little bit longer.
HOW IS NEUROFEEDBACK DONE?
A headset with sensors is placed on the head and ears to record the brainwave activity. High-tech equipment amplifies the electrical impulses and breaks them into the four key frequency bands. Using sophisticated computer software a customized protocol is developed to address the individual’s unique needs. During the session, the Neurofeedback Clinician views the raw EEG signal as well as the chosen frequency bands. Exercises are typically performed with eyes open. The client interacts with a game that will be controlled by one's very own brain waves. Depending on whether or not the brain is increasing the desired frequencies and decreasing other frequencies, the game will adjust accordingly. At the conclusion of the 30 Minute training period, the Clinician shares and discusses the results of the session and the nueroperformance assessment.
WHY DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?
Neurofeedback takes advantage of the brain’s ability to change itself through a process known as Neuroplasticity. It utilizes the same learning process that occurs whenever we acquire a new skill. The brain learns by forming connections between nerve cells and utilizing important pathways that connect different locations in the brain. The more frequently you utilize these pathways the better the brain becomes at performing the associated task. In psychology, this type of learning is called “Operant Conditioning”. It is a type of learning in which responses come to be controlled by their consequences. Quite simply, Neurofeedback offers the perfect learning conditions, since it facilitates awareness of when the brain is producing healthier brainwave patterns, provides reinforcement for the positive change and multiple opportunities to provide practice during a training session.