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Neurofeedback has come a long way since the 1960s when Joe Kamiya first demonstrated its clinical application. Over the years, it has been used to manage various mental health disorders and observe brain activity while preparing patients for brain surgeries. Today, it can also be used at home to improve cognitive performance and keep the brain in shape. It has the incredible ability to learn, grow, and change, so why not take advantage of this?

If you're wondering how this is possible, we must turn to what makes this possible - something called a neurofeedback machine. In this article, we'll share more about various types of neurofeedback machines used both in clinics and at home, so keep reading!

Key Takeaways

• Neurofeedback is conventionally done through EEG, which implies placing electrodes on the patient's scalp that measure brain wave activity. Sometimes, EEG systems are used for qEEG. EEG technology is also used for remote neurofeedback devices.
• Other neurofeedback technologies include fNIRS, fMRI, MEG, and SPECT. Of these four, only fNIRS is used in an at-home neurofeedback device, which is called Mendi.
• fMRI is performed in an MRI machine, MEG is performed in a device called SQUID, and SPECT is a designated computer tomography machine. All these advanced systems are primarily used to prepare patients for brain surgery or for research purposes.

What Is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a therapeutic technique, a type of biofeedback that targets brain activity. The primary aim of neurofeedback, and biofeedback implicitly, is to raise one's awareness of the body's functions using various specialized devices. Neurofeedback's mechanism of action is neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself in response to feedback received from the environment.

Traditionally, neurofeedback is done through Electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain waves. During a neurofeedback session, the patient has electrodes placed on their scalp while engaging in some sort of activity - playing a video game or listening to something.

At the same time, the patient receives real-time feedback on how their brain reacts to that particular activity. When the brain reacts positively, the patient gets a positive visual or auditory cue. When the brain takes an unwanted direction, the patient gets a negative cue indicating that they must redirect brain activity toward the desired state. Over time, the patient learns how to use these skills on a daily basis.

Nowadays, neurofeedback isn't done only through EEG. There are other technologies and machines used to analyze and record brain activity, and we're here to talk about them, so read on!

Types of Neurofeedback Machines

Neurofeedback continues to gain popularity. This is unsurprising, considering that mental health well-being is in the spotlight nowadays. More and more people are striving to achieve that balance between working and taking care of themselves.

Thankfully, the neuroscience field hasn't stopped evolving. Progress has brought to light various technologically advanced neurofeedback machines that go beyond the traditional EEG (which is highly useful and widely incorporated in neurofeedback nonetheless) and cater to different needs and settings. Some of these can be used at home. Others, on the other hand, are extremely advanced and expensive and can only be used at clinics or hospitals.

Below, we've discussed the most common neurofeedback machines and their applications.

EEG Neurofeedback System

The EEG neurofeedback system is the most widely used neurofeedback equipment. During an EEG neurofeedback session, the patient will have sensors placed on the scalp. They capture and analyze brain wave patterns in real-time. For in-clinic sessions, this type of neurofeedback is widely used to alleviate the symptoms of various mental health conditions like ADHD, severe anxiety and depression, or PTSD.

However, EEG systems aren't used only by professionals. Electrical sensors are now incorporated in numerous at-home neurofeedback machines, which can be used by anyone who wants to improve their cognitive abilities. They usually come in the form of headbands, although there are also glasses and headphones with sensors incorporated into their systems.

Nonetheless, these machines should not be used at home if your goal is to treat or manage a mental health disorder. They do not substitute medical advice. Even if these devices are used at home for this purpose, this should only be done under a doctor's supervision.

qEEG Neurofeedback Systems

qEEG, or quantitative electroencephalography, takes EEG technology a step further. It is not a different neurofeedback system per se but rather an extension of EEG neurofeedback.

“A quantitative electroencephalogram is a mathematically and algorithmically processed digitally recorded EEG that extracts information invisible to 'naked' eye inspections of the signal.”

In other words, the main tool for qEEG is the same EEG system, except that it also incorporates specialized software that analyzes raw data and transforms it into quantitative maps through statistical analyses. At the end, the physician and the patient get a brain map, which is extremely useful for individualized treatment protocols. This can make a huge difference when treating various mental health disorders like ADHD, severe depression, or schizophrenia.

qEEG is usually done at clinics only. However, there are some remote machines that offer you the possibility to get a brain map at home. Myndlift, for example, measures your brain waves through qEEG and creates a brain map. Then, their Neuro Coach uses it to outline a personalized neurofeedback protocol.

fNIRS Neurofeedback Machines

fNIRS, or functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygenation levels. This technology is particularly advantageous because it can measure brain signals reliably while the patient is moving. In contrast, during EEG neurofeedback, the patient should be as still as possible.

This technology is highly advanced, so it's mostly used in research and clinical settings. However, there is one remote neurofeedback device that uses fNIRS instead of EEG - we're talking about Mendi. It is a user-friendly headband equipped with sensors that measure levels of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin. It focuses on the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, emotion regulation, attention, and other functions. This means that if you train your prefrontal cortex, you strengthen all these abilities, which can significantly improve your quality of life.

The Mendi headband comes with a dedicated app which provides real-time feedback, thus offering users ongoing support in observing their brain's activity.

fMRI Neurofeedback Machines

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is another advanced neurofeedback technology that offers real-time imaging of brain activity. As you've probably guessed, fMRI is performed while the patient lies in a ring-shaped MRI scanner, just like when taking a regular MRI scan.

The difference between a regular scan and fMRI is that the patient's head is in a head coil, a special helmet-like device. This device can greatly improve image clarity. The patient may also wear headphones, which can make the process more comfortable. The radiologist may also use the headphones to talk to the patient and provide instructions if needed. Another difference between a regular MRI scan and an fMRI scan is that the patient doesn't have to lie completely still. They may be asked to talk or do other tasks that would provide brain activity insights.

Like fNIRS, fMRI follows blood flow, not brain waves. Based on the results, experts can create a brain map. This neurofeedback machine is usually used for conditions like epilepsy. It can also help doctors plan brain surgeries or other procedures. Therefore, fMRI is only rarely used. But when it's needed, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the brain, which can help doctors avoid critical areas during various procedures.

In the future, fMRI could become a useful machine to diagnose anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions.

MEG Neurofeedback

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) neurofeedback is done in a SQUID - a superconducting quantum interference device. The patient wears a helmet-shaped container with special magnetic sensors. During the procedure, the SQUID device detects magnetic fields produced by neural activity.

Like fMRI, MEG neurofeedback is used to help plan brain surgeries related to brain tumors or epilepsy. In the future, it may become a useful tool to evaluate traumatic brain injuries, discover the mechanisms of learning, and understand how a child's brain develops.

SPECT Neurofeedback

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is an advanced neurotechnology designed to evaluate brain blood flow and activity. It focuses on brain areas that work well, those that don't work enough, and those that work too much.

Over the years, SPECT neurofeedback has been used to evaluate seizures, brain tumors, and strokes. It has also been used to research and diagnose schizophrenia, depression, ADHD, and Alzheimer's disease.

Choosing the Right Neurofeedback Machine

If you want to try neurofeedback at home, you're probably wondering what neurofeedback device you should get, right? Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from. Unluckily, it can be quite difficult to understand which one's the best if there are so many options, right?

The truth is that only your preferences and goals can help you decide which device is the best for you. And naturally, you should also consider the scientific approach of a particular device, whether it has been tested and reviewed by experts, as well as user reviews.

When looking for a neurofeedback device you can use at home, consider the following:

• The technology it uses - at-home neurofeedback devices rely mostly on EEG; the only consumer-grade device that uses fNIRS is Mendi.
• The feedback format, as it can influence your experience; it is usually auditory or visual feedback.
• The price for the device itself and app subscriptions. Some devices like Mendi cost only $299; other devices are much more expensive; for example, for NeurOptimal sessions, you'll have to pay as much as $10,000 for their device, which is a big investment and likely not the best option if you've never tried neurofeedback.
• The design - you should be comfortable while wearing the device.
• Compatibility with your phone or tablet
• Quality of materials and battery life
• Warranty and return policy
• Training duration; for example, one session with Mendi can last only 5 minutes in the beginning, and you can slowly progress to 15 minutes per session; on the other hand, a Sens.ai or NeurOptimal session takes 20-30 minutes.

Before buying a neurofeedback device, take into consideration your goal - if you want to manage the symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, don't rush to start neurofeedback by yourself. It's recommended to talk to your doctor first to check if it's safe for you. If it is, they can help you choose a device that is suitable for your needs, and they can also schedule your sessions for the best results.

Long-Term Benefits of Neurofeedback Training

Neurofeedback training has been shown to offer numerous long-term benefits, making it a valuable tool for enhancing mental health and cognitive function.

At-home training can potentially help you:

• Improve focus and attention span
• Reduce anxiety and intrusive thoughts
• Reduce stress
• Boost emotional regulation
• Improve your sleep
• Reduce impulsivity
• Improve memory skills
• Boost energy levels
• Achieve peak performance

Neurofeedback sessions done at a clinic can potentially help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, chronic stress, autism, PTSD, and depression.

However, it's worth mentioning that further research is still required to fully confirm all these benefits and neurofeedback's potential to alleviate the symptoms of various disorders.

Eager to Try an fNIRS At-Home Neurofeedback Device?

At Mendi, we like to think outside the box. We are dedicated to revolutionizing the field of neurofeedback and mental well-being. That's how we designed a unique at-home neurofeedback device that uses cutting-edge fNIRS technology.

The technology we used to create Mendi is backed by science. Our device has been reviewed by distinguished researchers and practitioners, and it is now waiting for you to test it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do neurofeedback machines work?

Neurofeedback machines offer a non-invasive brain training method. The technologies used in neurofeedback have been widely researched. However, given that their applicability in treating various conditions is only recent, further scientific studies are required to confirm their long-term benefits and side effects, especially when used to treat a mental health condition.

How does EEG neurofeedback work?

EEG neurofeedback works via sensors that monitor real-time brain function and brainwave activity, allowing users to adjust their brain patterns to boost cognitive performance.

Can anyone use neurofeedback machines?

At-home neurofeedback machines are generally considered safe for anyone as long as their goal is to improve cognitive performance. If you have a pre-existing condition, you should talk to your doctor before using a neurofeedback device.

How expensive is neurofeedback?

The neurofeedback cost depends on whether you're having your sessions at a clinic or at home. Remote neurofeedback devices cost between $300 and $1,500, but you shouldn't use them without a doctor's supervision if you have any pre-existing conditions. One session of in-clinic neurofeedback costs between $150 and $200.

Which is more expensive, EEG or fMRI?

fMRI is undoubtedly more expensive than EEG when it comes to neurofeedback.

What is the best neurofeedback machine for home use?

You can find the best neurofeedback machine for you by outlining your goals, preferences, and budgets. There are numerous high-quality devices on the market that can help you improve your cognitive performance. When choosing a product, focus on its neurofeedback technology, user-friendliness, app interface, scientific credibility, and cost.