The question regards a protocol
that trains live Z-scores and also uptrains alpha amplitude
.
Is it possible that this protocol could lead to a paradox. In otherwords, alpha training might put you into a state of higher than
normal alpha amplitude/coherence
, if this exceeds the Z score threshold would the feedback be blocked?
Answer:
Yes, this can certainly happen, and it might. The trick would be to keep the z-score
targets wide enough so that the alpha does not exceed the target size. This is not unreasonable. The main idea, in my view, is to keep the alpha at a level that may be, say, 1.5 SD high, but to keep it there more often.
In comparing the instantaneous with the minute z-scores, what happens is that an instantaneous z score might be moderately high, say 1.5SD, but if it stays there consistently over a minute, that will show up in the summary statistic as perhaps 2.5 or even 3.0 SD. This is why the instantaneous z scores are always lower than the postprocessed averaged Z scores. So what looks like "a lot of alpha" in a QEEG
summary, may have looked like "a reasonable amount of alpha" at any instant, but sustained at that level over
more of the time interval. In other words, it is the waxing and waning of alpha that is being trained, not just "how big."
So the method can work, because of the fact that you are not trying to get the instantaneous alpha z score way up, you are simply wanting to allow it to "hover" on the high side. With a typical range for z-score
targeting, this can occur.
Given that the amplitude training is teaching the alpha to be more frequent, and at the same time not tripping out of the z score range, it works fine.
The real key to this is the realization that a "higher" alpha is not simply a bigger alpha. It's a more-often alpha. The key to EEG
biofeedback is that you are training the brain in the time-domain, and you are training behavior, or habit. The idea is not to make a big alpha "muscle" that makes big waves, it is to teach the brain to sustain a moderate alpha, and it is
that sustaining that is rewarded by the amplitude portion, while the z scores ensure everything is within an appropriate limit for the
instantaneous values.
Note: This protocol design, and all designs provided by BrainMaster, are for demonstration and illustration purposes only. It is the clinician's responsibility to ensure that any designs used provide the intended feedback.
Background emails below:
>>
>> I just posted one type of protocol for this at:
>>
>> http://www.brainm.com/kb/entry/282/
>>
>> It does comprehensive z score training and also alpha uptraining.
>>
>> It's not exactly what Mark describes. It uses the core software to
> uptrain
>> alpha (2 or 4 channels), and then uses the Event Wizard to inhibit
> feedback
>> if the comprehensive Z scores index is below the target. This has the effect of
> making the
>> animations, etc. only go when the z scores and the alpha are
> meeting
>> thresholds.
>>
>> I haven't tested this a lot, but it has the basic idea. I expect
> Mark will
>> have comments or a better design, and we can post an alternative,
> or an
>> improved version. But this is a start, and I thought it might be
> good to
>> get more designs out there for people to work with.
>>
>> Tom
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Tom Collura" <tomc@...>
>> To: <brainm@yahoogroups.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 4:51 PM
>> Subject: Re: [brainm] Re: z score questions
>>
>>
>> > If it helps, I could post a protocol like this on our new
> protocol design
>> > area of the knowledge base.
>> >
>> > Mark, if you have something you like, send it to me and I'll post
> it.
>> >
>> > Or, I could work something up.
>> >
>> > Tom
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Mark Smith" <marksmith50@...>
>> > To: <brainm@yahoogroups.com>
>> > Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 1:50 PM
>> > Subject: [brainm] Re: z score questions
>> >
>> >
>> >> You have to use the core software to modify percent Z Ok to
> reward
>> >> alpha. Then you create an event that looks at both the Z scores
> and
>> >> the alpha reward. The equation is relatively simple, x=ALLOK.
>> >>
>> >> Mark
>> >>
>> >> --- In brainm@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Tarrant <dr.tarrant@> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> Mark:
>> >>>
>> >>> thanks for the input. I have been using primarily DVD's as well
>> >> and it does seem to work well, I was just wondering if there were
>> >> other options (especially for my adults).
>> >>>
>> >>> How do you reward alpha amplitude in addition to the z score
>> >> training--do you create an event in event wizard for that?
>> >>>
>> >>> Thanks.
>> >>>
>> >>> Jeff
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> To: brainm@: marksmith50@: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 15:14:26
>> >> +0000Subject: [brainm] Re: z score questions
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> Hi Jeff,I mostly use DVD feedback with four channel
training. It
>> >> works nicely and keeps the kids engaged. Video content can
> sometimes
>> >> be a bit tricky and I try to avoid violent or action oriented
>> >> material.I have had a very difficult time training down high
> beta. I
>> >> am beginning to suspect that much of the fast activity I observe
> in
>> >> the Z scores may in fact be muscle activity particularly when it
> is
>> >> combined with hypercohernce in those same bands. I have had
> clients
>> >> show wildly different z score values in beta and high beta from
>> >> session to session. Focus on deep rythmic breathing has helped
> some
>> >> to reduce those values in session.When it is true beta activity I
>> >> combine alpha amplitude training with z scores. That has proved
>> >> effective. Mark --- In brainm@yahoogroups.com, "jefftarrant"
>> >> <dr.tarrant@> wrote:>> I have been using a lot of 4 channel z
> scoring
>> >> protocols in the last > month and, being new to this system,
> have a
>> >> couple questions for the > more experienced of the group.> > 1)
> What
>> >> software programs work with the 4 channel z scoring? >
> Brainpaint is
>> >> not compatible and it looks like InnerTube is also not >
> compatible?
>> >> Suggestions?> > 2) Has anybody seen any adverse reactions to the
> 4
>> >> channel z score > training. I've got a 9 year old making very
> rapid
>> >> progress, but has > had a couple bed wetting incidents and has
> been
>> >> very irritable. It > looks like his initial response to the
> training
>> >> was to actually > increase his beta activity even though these
> are
>> >> the areas identified > as most deviant on the z scoring (which is
>> >> what I'm sure is causing > the symptoms observed). The beta
> increased
>> >> during sessions 3 and 4 > and have since decreased to a much
> lower
>> >> level. Has anyone else seen > this type of reaction? I have
> observed
>> >> that the coherence seems to > clean up first on these protocols
> and
>> >> when that happens the > amplitudes tend to increase for a time
> until
>> >> they also clean up. > Perhaps this is what has been happening
> with
>> >> this client? Comments?> > I appreciate any guidance.> > Jeff
> Tarrant,
>> >> Ph.D., BCIA-EEG> www.springgrovecounseling.com>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
> __________________________________________________________
>> >>> More immediate than e-mail? Get instant access with Windows Live
>> >> Messenger.
>> >>> http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?
>> >> ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_instantaccess_042008
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ------------------------------------
>> >>
>> >> ----------------------------------------------------------
> -------
>> >> Support eGroup for BrainMaster owners and users with practical,
> clinical
>> >> and nonclinical questions and issues.
>> >> Subscription Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brainm
>> >> ----------------------------------------------------------
> -------
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------------
>> >
>> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> ------
>> > Support eGroup for BrainMaster owners and users with practical,
> clinical
>> > and nonclinical questions and issues.
>> > Subscription Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brainm
>> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> ------
>> >
>> >
>> > Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> Support eGroup for BrainMaster owners and users with practical, clinical
> and nonclinical questions and issues.
> Subscription Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brainm
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
__._,_.___
__,_._,___
