Biofeedback and Health Evidence-Based Biofeedback and Neurofeedback for People with Epilepsy and Seiz

Abstract

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder worldwide despite many anti-seizure medications. Biofeedback (BFB) and neurofeedback (NFB) have shown significant promise since the 1960s to improve seizure control, abnormalities in electroencephalography (EEG) and quantitative-EEG, and quality of life. Epilepsy is a disease of brain networks and BFB/NFB is a non-invasive, brain-centered, low-risk, low-cost, and reliable treatment for people with seizures/epilepsy and especially since standard seizure medications and epilepsy surgery often do not result in complete seizure control. Neuroscience healthcare clinician experience and a 60-year literature foundation show that BFB/NFB to improve brain dysregulation and abnormal network dynamics are known to be at the root of seizures/epilepsy. BFB/NFB trains individuals to self-regulate brain activity through real-time performance feedback. An exhaustive literature review for NFB/BFB and seizures/epilepsy (1960s–present) yielded 150 articles documenting improvements in seizures and EEG/QEEG abnormalities. Clinicians, insurers, and the public should support BFB/NFB as a first-line intervention for seizures/epilepsy.