STUDY: Brainwave Training with Elementary Students

 THE EFFECTS OF EEG NEUROFEEDBACK AND NEURO-COGNITIVE PROCESSING IN THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF AN ARTS-BASED PRIVATE ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL
Lise\' DeLong, PhD candidate, The Union Institute and University, Greenwood, Indiana

Introduction.
This is a randomized, controlled pilot study investigating the effectiveness of electroencephalogram (EEG) neurofeedback and neuro-cognitive processing (brainwave training)in an educational environment of a small unique private arts-based elementary / middle school.

Method.
The sample size of the study was twenty-four (N=24) divided into 12 control and 12 neurofeedback subject groups. The study divided the groups by first and second semester providing two 18-week sessions containing a total of 25 one-hour therapeutic periods, using EEG neurofeedback and neuro-cognitive coaching sessions.

Results.
Results indicated that the students using the EEG neurofeedback and neuro-cognitive therapy made improvement in overall academics and in the behavioral aspects of attention problems: hyperactivity, internalizing problems, and adaptive skills. The area of greatest statistical significance, was in auditory discrimination (p=<. 001).

Conclusions.
Neurofeedback and neurocognitive training show promise in improving auditory discrimination, concentration and focus skills, and nonverbal intelligence in both special needs and normal children.

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