EFFECT OF NEUROFEEDBACK ON STABILISING EMOTIONAL STATES: TWO CASE STUDIES WITH THE OTHMER METHOD

EFFECT OF NEUROFEEDBACK ON STABILISING EMOTIONAL STATES: TWO CASE STUDIES WITH THE OTHMER METHOD

KIM LEE Brain Trainer Neurofeedback Learning Centre Kampung Senang Charity and Education Foundation Singapore

MENTAL HEALTH IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF AN INDIVIDUAL S CAPACITY TO LEAD A FULFILLING LIFE TO FORM AND MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, TO STUDY, WORK OR PURSUE LEISURE INTERESTS, AND TO MAKE DAY-TO-DAY DECISIONS. INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH: Evidence for Action WHO, 2013

THE OTHMER METHOD Frequency Band Training SCP Training Othmer Method Bipolar Training

BASELINE ASSESSMENT 1. Interview 2. Symptom Tracking 3. Continuous Performance Test

QIK TEST

CYGNET AND NEUROAMP II

CASE 1 CASE 2

CASE 1: TOP SYMPTOMS 1.Difficulty falling asleep 2.Difficulty maintaining sleep 3.Motion sickness 4.Rages 5.Aggressive behaviour 6.Anger 7.Flashbacks of trauma 8.Panic attacks 9.Fatigue 10.Jaw pain 11.Stomach aches 12.Breathing problems

CASE 1: QIK TEST RESULT SUMMARY AT START

CASE 1: PROTOCOLS Protocol T4-P4 T3-T4 T4-Fp2 T3-Fp1 Alpha-theta at P3+P4 Objective Starting site to determine optimal reward frequency (ORF). To improve sleep, breathing and alleviate pain, fatigue Further improve breathing Reduce panic attacks, nausea, other symptoms of instability Emotional calming and control Mental calming and impulse control To resolve unprocessed trauma

CASE 1: REPORT SUMMARY 1.After 3 sessions, ORF determined at 0.3 mhz. Calmer, breathing easier, jaw pain lessens slightly, has more energy. 2.In sessions 4-5, sleep and digestive issues began to improve; jaw eased enough to get a spoon in, to chew and eat a normal food portion. Still having nausea after meals. But energy, overall sense of wellness continued to improve. 3.In sessions 6-9, noticed less agitation. Negative thoughts more more distant. Getting more normal hours of sleep. Hand tremble stops. 4.In sessions 10-13, emotionally calmer, attention better, able to manage jaw pain through self-talk. 5.AT started at session 14, alternating with ILF HD. Client enjoyed deeply relaxing AT sessions, ending each feeling deeply calm and good about herself. 6.In remaining ILF sessions, her appetite continued to improve, nausea down 50-70%, sometimes absent. Thinking clearer, conversations more positive.

RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTER

RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTER 14 Sept 2015 25 Sept 2015

RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTER

RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTER

CASE 2: TOP SYMPTOMS 1.Difficulty maintaining sleep 2.Difficulty waking 3.Difficulty completing tasks 4.Difficulty making decisions 5.Difficulty organising personal time or space 6.Motion sickness 7.Vertigo 8.Tinnitus 9.Visual deficits 10.Anger 11.Emotional reactivity 12.Flashbacks of trauma 13.Low self-esteem 14.Effort fatigue

QIK TEST RESULT SUMMARY AT START

PROTOCOLS FOR CASE 2 Protocol T4-P4 T4-Fp2 T3-T4 Alpha-theta at P3+P4 Objective Starting site to determine optimal reward frequency (ORF). Physical calming Improve sleep Alleviate fatigue, palpitations Emotional calming and control Improve sleep rhythm Alleviate migraines, motion sickness, vertigo, tinnitus To resolve unprocessed trauma

CASE 2: REPORT SUMMARY 1.ORF determined at 0.25 mhz after 5 sessions. Vivid dreams experienced but emotionally calmer. Muscle tension in her body eased. Less agitated during PMS, had less severe headaches. More energetic and alert after every session. Surprised that she had the energy to help others. Unexpected improvement began with her hearing and 20-year-old tinnitus problem. 2.In sessions 6 to 7, more alert in spite of period. Menstrual cycle on time. Dreams less intense, not upsetting. Stayed overnight to help a friend through a wake surprised she had the energy and the emotional control. Appetite is returning, sugar craving disappears, no longer needs coffee to function. 3.In sessions 8-16, tinnitus shifted from 9 to 4-5, less dreams, less upsetting. Sleep and energy continues to improve. Now enjoying outings. Sisters notice she has more energy and complains less of being unable to sleep.

CASE 2: REPORT SUMMARY 4.AT tried at session 12 and 13, but the client did not have a great experience. In spite of that, noticed a sharp drop in severity of tinnitus. 5.AT re-introduced at session 17. After a 10-minute tapping session to resolve her unease over the dim room, the client had a very good session, and noted a further drop in her tinnitus. This was followed by ILF to maintain stabilisation as the client has a history of vertigo. She enjoyed it so much, she requested AT at her next session. 6.Client had total of 6 AT sessions immediately followed by ILF for stabilisation. Tinnitus down to a 0.5. Sleep, appetite and mood held well. Negative feelings surrounding her mother s death replaced by thoughts of mother s love. Client excitedly reported greater clarity of thought, and viewed life more positively. Her happier demeanour noticed even by pre-school niece.

RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTER

RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTER 30 Sept 2015 20 Nov 2015

RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTER

RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTERPost training report

CASE 1: POST TRAINING REPORT 1.Enjoyed her flight to Europe. 2.Enjoying walks in a forest near where she now lives with her husband. 3.A stronger sense of self control. It s been good.

CASE 2: POST TRAINING REPORT 1.Enjoying life with family and friends. 2.Ex-colleagues commented that she looked well and happy, and that they found her happiness infectious 3.Returned to work in May this year, 6 months after her training, with a job in the legal field.

CONCLUSION Both women responded well to the training, with effects felt not only by themselves but also noticed by their family and friends, and with benefits holding.

LESSONS Very individual nature of neurofeedback training Importance of support through Nutrition Exercise Relationships Self-help/empowerment Family/friends/community

THANK YOU!