more-in Neurobiofeedback (NFB) is an effective method to treat epilepsy and problems like anxiety and depression. The added advantage of NFB is that the patient will not have any side effects as no drugs are used under this therapy, according to K. Jayasankara Reddy, an Associate Professor in Christ University, Bengaluru. Participating in the international conference on ‘School Psychology’ organised jointly by the Department of Psychology, Andhra University, and the Indian Psychology Association (InSPA) that concluded here on Saturday, Mr. Reddy said that he had conducted a study on use of NFB for treatment of epilepsy and other psychological problems in students of different schools and colleges in Bengaluru as part of a three-year project from 2013 to 2015. “The Christ University had funded ?8 lakh for the research project. A total of 42 students were identified and treated. Though this technique has been in use in the western countries for about two decades, it is yet to catch up in India,” he said. Neurotherapy or neurobiofeedback (NFB) is a type of feedback that uses real-time display of the brain activity, most commonly electro-encephalograph (EEG), to teach self-regulation of brain function. “Sensors are used to track electrical impulses in the brain and they are connected to a computer and the patient can see the abnormal activity in the brain on the screen. The patient can be trained to relax and to modify response to different stimulations and to calm down,” explained Dr. Reddy. Neuro-cognitive abilities The study, he said, revealed that continuous sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) treatment reduces the rate of seizures in severe epilepsy and improves neuro-cognitive abilities. “Sedative drugs used to control abnormal brain activity also act on the normal parts of it, resulting in side-effects such as sleepiness and slow reaction time. NFB does not have any side-effects as no drugs are used in the therapy that improves span of attention and control over the thought process as cognitive skills can be trained well,” he added.

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