In-clinic vs remote neurofeedback: what is the difference?
Introduction
In recent years, advancements in neuroscience have paved the way for innovative approaches to improving mental health and cognitive function. Neurofeedback, a non-invasive technique that involves real-time monitoring and self-regulation of brain activity, has gained popularity as a promising intervention. Individuals seeking neurofeedback have two primary options: in-office neurofeedback and remote neurofeedback. Let’s explore the key differences between these two approaches and discuss their respective advantages and limitations.
In-Clinic Neurofeedback
In-office neurofeedback is a supervised and professionally administered form of brain training that takes place in a dedicated setting, under the guidance of a trained neurofeedback therapist.
Benefits of in-office neurofeedback:
Professional Guidance: In-office sessions are conducted under the supervision of experienced neurofeedback therapists who can customise the training protocol based on individual needs. The presence of a practitioner allows for emotional support and reassurance during every training session.
Specialized Equipment: In-office sessions typically use advanced EEG (electroencephalogram) equipment to measure brainwave activity with high precision, allowing for a detailed analysis of neural patterns.
Immediate Adjustments: Participants receive real-time feedback on their brainwave activity, enabling neurofeedback professionals to make immediate adjustments to the neurofeedback protocol during the session. Practitioners tailor neurofeedback protocols to the individual's specific needs throughout the session, adjusting parameters in real-time based on the client's responses and progress.
Structured Sessions: In-office neurofeedback sessions are scheduled appointments, ensuring regularity and adherence to the training plan. Some individuals may struggle to maintain consistency for home neurofeedback sessions, and so may prefer the structure of scheduled appointments in-office. Regularity of training is crucial for achieving desired outcomes with neurofeedback, and the lack of accountability may lead to irregular use.
Drawbacks of in-office neurofeedback:
Flexibility: If you are thinking about trying neurofeedback, consider the availability of professional neurofeedback clinics in your area and the convenience of attending regular in-clinic sessions. For individuals who are located in a remote area, it may be more difficult to access in-office sessions.
Home (remote) Neurofeedback
Remote neurofeedback, on the other hand, involves using portable neurofeedback devices from home, either with a remote professional supervisor monitoring online or without.
Benefits of remote neurofeedback:
Convenience and Flexibility: Remote neurofeedback provides the convenience of carrying out sessions from your home. For individuals who live a significant distance from a practitioner, this can be an appealing option in terms of logistics.
Considerations
Self-Administered: With remote neurofeedback sessions, clients take on a more active role in their training. Individuals may face challenges in ensuring proper electrode placement, and connectivity, and maintaining consistency in the absence of professional supervision. This may seem daunting for some individuals.
Professional oversight: Depending on the set-up of the remote training, there may not be a professional monitoring this in real-time while you run your session. There is therefore less opportunity to ask questions and clarify concerns if they arise mid-session.
Choosing the Right Option
The decision between in-clinic and home neurofeedback depends on various factors, including individual preferences, the nature of the individual’s goals, and the level of guidance required.
How do we deliver neurofeedback at Optiminds?
At Optiminds, we put our focus on working with every client face-to-face. We have been asked many times over the years about the provision of remote sessions, and have spent time weighing up whether this is something we should offer as a service.
From our in-person sessions we have learned there are many complexities to neurofeedback therapy itself, and also in the individual’s response to neurofeedback within the session. When we see our clients face-to-face, we can pick up on the small subtleties in each individual’s experience of neurofeedback, many of which we don’t believe we would notice if we had delivered the session remotely through the computer. Subtle shifts that we notice in our client’s body language, demeanor, and expression (verbal and non-verbal) are key in guiding the tweaks we might need to make to your training protocol mid-session.
Neurofeedback training can also sometimes evoke emotional responses for some individuals, which would be much more difficult for us to manage if we weren’t sat with our client in in-person. At Optiminds, we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming, safe, and relaxed environment for our clients in our practice in Hale. We understand that undergoing training for the brain may be intimidating, and we work hard to ensure that our clients feel comfortable and at ease throughout their sessions.
As the field of neurofeedback continues to evolve, individuals who are interested in improving their brain now have the opportunity to choose an approach that aligns with their lifestyle and goals for cognitive enhancement. We encourage you to do your research, consider practical considerations such as accessibility, and don’t be afraid to ask questions to the neurofeedback provider when you’re deciding what the best fit is for you. Neurofeedback is an incredibly powerful tool, so make sure you feel confident with the method of delivery and professional that you’re working with.
We welcome you to contact us at Optiminds to discuss how neurofeedback might support you or your loved one. Contact us to arrange a free consultation!