The Research
In a 1999 study, Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D worked with 8 struggling college students. After undergoing audio-visual brainwave stimulation, the students outperformed a control group and significantly increased their GPA. GPA for the 8 students continued to rise even after treatment was discontinued!
Psychologist Michael Joyce used brainwave entrainment with a group of 30 children. He observed improvements in reading and a half year advancement in grade level as well as substantial improvements in attention, reaction and a reduction in impulsivity and variability.
Harold Russel Ph.D. and John Carter, Ph.D., of the University of Houston, did several studies in which they used brainwave entrainment to treat ADHD and other learning disorders, testing their IQ before and after treatment. Astonishingly, after treatment the subjects showed a 5 to 7 point increases in IQ score.
Michael Tansey used a similar protocol to treat dyslexia and other learning disorders, reporting a 19 point average increase in IQ score post-treatment.
Drs. Siegfried and Susan Othmer found that neurofeedback brainwave training in the 15-18 Hz range can produce significant shifts in IQ score, particularly with people who are suffering from ADD/ADHD and other disorders. In cases where the starting IQ value is less than 100, the average IQ increase was 33 points! They also found significant improvements in memory, reading and arithmetic. In a one year follow-up, trainees showed major improvements in self-esteem, concentration and self-expression.
Intelligence is not set in stone. Disorders like ADD and Dyslexia can have a very negative impact on IQ score. So can Depression, Anxiety and other mood disorders. Limiting beliefs, low self-esteem and a lack of motivation can also have a negative impact. These problems bog down your mental processing, and in some cases even cause the brain to work less when you need it most (above), out of frustration and emotion.
Using multiple methods, both psychological and neurological in nature, it is possible to change the brain and have a positive impact on cognitive abilities.
To see how you can have a positive impact on your cognitive abilities, specifically ADD / ADHD try this MP3 download: -
Academic Performance Enhancement with Photic Stimulation and EDR Feedback. Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D., John Jordy, M.Ed., Helen Kogan Budzynski, Ph.D., Hsin-Yi Tang, M.S., and Keith Claypoole, Ph.D., Journal of Neurotherapy, 3(3), 11-21.
Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) Program as a Treatment for Behavior Disorders in a School Setting, Michael Joyce & Dave Siever, 1997, Journal of Neurotherapy, vol 4 (2), 9-32.
Differences in EEG Alpha Activity Related to Giftedness. Jausovec, N. (1996)., Intelligence, 23, 159-173.
Resting EEG theta activity predicts cognitive performance in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Hermens DF, Soei EX, Clarke SD, Kohn MR, Gordon E, Williams LM., 2005
EEG Average Frequency and Intelligence. Giannitrapani, D. (1969)., Electroencephalography & Clinical Neurophysiology, 27, 480-486.
A pilot investigation of auditory and visual entrainment of brain wave activity in learning disabled boys. Carter, J. L., & Russell, H. L. (1993). Texas Researcher, Journal of the Texas Center for Educational Research, 4, 65-73. Neurophysiology. 4, 289-296.
EEG Alpha Rhythm Frequency and Intelligence in Normal Individuals. Anoukhin, A., Intelligence, 23: 1-14
EEG differences in ADHD-combined type during baseline and cognitive tasks., Swartwood JN, Swartwood MO, Lubar JF, Timmermann DL.
Intelligence, Academic Achievement, and EEG Abnormalities in Hyperactive Children, Am J Psychiatry 131:4, April 1974, James H. Satterfield, M.D., Dennis P. Cantwell, M.D., Ronald E. Saul, M.D., Alvin Yusin, M.D.
Exceptional Results with 'Exceptional Children', Lynda Thompson, Ph.D. and Michael Thompson, M.D., 1995 International Society for Neuronal RegulationConference
New Visions School NeuroTechnology Replication Project 2000 - 2001, Michael Joyce
Electroencephalographic Biofeedback of SMR and Beta for Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorders in a Clinical Setting, Lubar, J. O., and J.F. Lubar. Biofeedback and Self Regulation 9, no. 1 (1984) 1-23
Righting the Rhythms of Reason: EEG Biofeedback Training as a Therapeutic Modality in a Clinical Office Setting. Tansey, M.A., Medical Psychotherapy 3 (1990): 57-68
EEG Training for ADHD and Learning Disorders, Othmer, S & Othmer, S.F., March, 1989
Attention deficit disorder. Othmer, S. (1998). EEG Spectrum Training Syllabus. Volume 3. Encino, CA: EEC Spectrum.
EEG and behavioral changes in a hyperactive child concurrent training of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR). A preliminary report. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1, 293-306. Lubar, J.F., Shabsin, H.S., Natelson, S.E., Holder, G.S., Whitsett, S.F., Pamplin, W.E., and Krulikowski, D.I. (1981).
The Physiological Response to "Beta Sweep" Entrainment, Gontgovsky, S., Montgomery, D., Proceedings AAPB Thirteenth Anniversary Annual Meeting (1999)
Discourse on the development of EEG diagnostics and biofeedback for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Lubar, J. F. (1991)., Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 16, 201-225.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of EEG neurofeedback training for ADHD in a clinical setting as measured by changes in T.0.V.A. scores, behavioral ratings, and WISC-R performance. Lubar, J. F., Swartwood, M. 0., Swartwood, J. N., & O'Donnell, P. FL (1995). Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 20, 83-99.
Quantitative analysis of EEG in boys with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder: Controlled study with clinical implications. Mann, C. A., Lubar, J. E, Zimmerman, A. W., Miller, C. A., & Muenchen, R. A. (1992). Pediatric Neurology, 8,30-36.
Intellectual, auditory and photic stimulation and changes in functioning in children and adults. Russell, H. L. (1997). Biofeedback, 25(1), 16-17, 23, 24.
A pilot study of the effect of 18 Hz audio visual stimulation (AVS) on attention and concentration symptoms and on quantitative EEG (QEEG) in long-term chronic fatigue (CFS).Trudeau, D. L., Moore, J., Stockley, H., & Rubin, Y. (1999). Journal of Neurotherapy 3~4), 76
A controlled study of the effects of neurofeedback training on IQ and EEG patterns for ADD subjects. Utter, C. P. (1996). Unpublished manuscript. College of Wooster.
Brain metabolism in teenagers with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Zametkin, A. I, Liebenauer, L. L., King, A. C., Minunkas, D. V., Herscovitch, P., Yamada, E. M., & Cohen, R. M. (1993). Archives of General Psychiatry, 50, 333-340.
[Text Courtesy of Transparent Corporation]
