Re: Trying to do some research on the effects of biofeedback

Steve Sterling <[email protected]> Fri, 2 Apr 2021 21:47:30 -0700
Newsgroups gmane.comp.science.openeeg.general
Message-ID <CA+ETsKeZrGoppimSWFXKiVdU4FUW2TMCf00d7tA48X1w_irJ8g@mail.gmail.com>
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qEEG

On Fri, Apr 2, 2021, 9:34 PM Ray Cole <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi Laura.
>
> I am a member of the Openeeg-list group, and read your post requesting
> pointers to information about the use and nature of biofeedback on the
> mind.
>
> Several years ago, I became curious about the whole concept of
> biofeedback, after reading two or three books which promoted biofeedback as
> being a very effective way to deal with the mind capabilities, as well as
> its problems. However, the books seemed to make the whole concept to be a
> bit like snake oil medicine, offering cures for everything from hangnails
> to autism, so I wasn't too taken with the whole idea. I was intrigued and
> curious, but still rather skeptical. Maybe I was just being a bit too
> skeptical.
>
> However, after finding the Openeeg website, I saw the plans with which one
> could construct their own eeg device, so I thought it would be fun to just
> give it a try. (Many years ago, when I was in the navy, I was a radar
> electronics technician, so I have the basic skills to undertake such an
> easy project, and anyway, it just sounded like a fun project to tinker
> with. Who wouldn't like to play with their own brain?)
>
> So, I went ahead and, for about only $300, made one and got the ancillary
> materials (electrodes, paste, etc.). It works great, but I didn't really
> know what I was doing, as far as the actually application and
> interpretation of my results were concerned. At that point, I needed a
> class in the use of the device and the interpretation of its results, but
> wasn't about to pay the large fees they were charging for those who
> probably, in most cases, wanted to become certified therapists.
>
> So, as a result, I just played around with it for a year or so, using the
> free Brain Bay software that you've probably seen mentioned on the Openeeg
> website. It was all fun and interesting to watch my own brain waves, but as
> stated, I lacked the knowledge and skills requisite to any actual use and
> application of them. So, I put it away and haven't even looked at it in
> years.
>
> I also quit frequenting the Openeeg website. Every now & then a message
> from the Openeeg website pops up, but I usually just delete them, without
> even giving them a read; however, for some reason, I opened yours and saw
> what you had written, requesting information.
>
> So, the reason I am writing to you is because, as of late, I have thinking
> that maybe I didn't really give biofeedback a fair trial, and have wondered
> about just how effective it really is for some things. Thus, your message,
> requesting information struck a chord with me, as it seems as though we
> might be on the same 'wavelength,' so to speak.
>
> I have, halfheartedly, tried to find any information as to how effective
> biofeedback has truly proved to be in such areas as ADD, autism, memory, as
> well as other things.; however, everything I've seen hasn't seemed very
> academic, and appears to be nothing more than anecdotal evaluations, much
> like you might get from reading the reviews given by people regarding the
> lawn chairs they recently bought on Amazon. I'm not interested in that kind
> of evaluation, but am searching for unbiased, rigorous, scientific
> studies concerning the effectiveness of biofeedback, much as what I assume
> that you, yourself, are seeking.
>
> If I find that biofeedback is, in fact, a valid approach to much of what
> it's touted to be, then I will give it a more concerted effort and study,
> although I'm still not going to spend thousands of dollars on classes.
> Instead, I would opt for doing some research as to how one uses and
> interprets the results of biofeedback sessions. Between Google, YouTube,
> the library system, and online classes from major universities, there is
> now a plethora of knowledge 'out there,' to which one can avail themselves,
> so it seems possible that one can now probably bring themselves up to a
> level that would meet my own needs and interests. If your need for
> information is pursuant to more scholarly or professional goals, then that,
> of course, is another matter.
>
> So, to make a long story short, I am just writing to let you know that,
> since we seem to be on at least a similar path, I will certainly pass on
> anything that I find, and would appreciate hearing about anything that you
> might run across, as well.  Like they say, 'two heads are better than one,'
> so maybe we can put our efforts together and come up with a decent
> collection of studies. Tomorrow, I will send you a list of the material
> which I already have, such as it is, but right now it's time to get ready
> for bed.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Ray Cole
> [email protected]
> ------------------------------
> *From:* LM <[email protected]>
> *Sent:* Friday, April 2, 2021 8:16 AM
> *To:* [email protected] <
> [email protected]>
> *Subject:* [Openeeg-list] Trying to do some research on the effects of
> biofeedback
>
> I'm doing some research on the effects of using biofeedback.  I'm
> trying to look for research, articles, papers, etc. comparing the
> results of biofeedback training and meditation and hypnagogic states.
> Also looking for research, articles about what people think alpha and
> theta waves represent and how asymmetry or waves being more prevalent
> in one hemisphere than another or one part of the brain versus another
> might affect that.  For instance, some research connects presence of
> theta waves with activities such as storing memories and daydreaming.
>
> If anyone has any pointers to information on these subjects, would
> greatly appreciate hearing about it.
>
> Thank you very much.
>
> Sincerely,
> Laura
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Openeeg-list mailing list
> [email protected]
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/openeeg-list
> Go to the above address to change your
> subscription options, e.g unsubscribe.
> _______________________________________________
> Openeeg-list mailing list
> [email protected]
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/openeeg-list
> Go to the above address to change your
> subscription options, e.g unsubscribe.
>

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<div dir=3D"auto">qEEG</div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr"=
 class=3D"gmail_attr">On Fri, Apr 2, 2021, 9:34 PM Ray Cole &lt;<a href=3D"=
mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquo=
te class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc so=
lid;padding-left:1ex">




<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
Hi Laura.=C2=A0</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
I am a member of the Openeeg-list group, and read your post requesting poin=
ters to information about the use and nature of biofeedback on the mind.=C2=
=A0</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
Several years ago, I became curious about the whole concept of biofeedback,=
 after reading two or three books which promoted biofeedback as being a ver=
y effective way to deal with the mind capabilities, as well as its problems=
. However, the books seemed to make
 the whole concept to be a bit like snake oil medicine, offering cures for =
everything from hangnails to autism, so I wasn&#39;t too taken with the who=
le idea. I was intrigued and curious, but still rather skeptical. Maybe I w=
as just being a bit too skeptical.=C2=A0</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
However, after finding the Openeeg website, I saw the plans with which one =
could construct their own eeg device, so I thought it would be fun to just =
give it a try. (Many years ago, when I was in the navy, I was a radar elect=
ronics technician, so I have the
 basic skills to undertake such an easy project, and anyway, it just sounde=
d like a fun project to tinker with. Who wouldn&#39;t like to play with the=
ir own brain?)=C2=A0</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
So, I went ahead and, for about only $300, made one and got the ancillary m=
aterials (electrodes, paste, etc.). It works great, but I didn&#39;t really=
 know what I was doing, as far as the actually application and interpretati=
on of my results were concerned. At
 that point, I needed a class in the use of the device and the interpretati=
on of its results, but wasn&#39;t about to pay the large fees they were cha=
rging for those who probably, in most cases, wanted to become certified the=
rapists.=C2=A0</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
So, as a result, I just played around with it for a year or so, using the f=
ree Brain Bay software that you&#39;ve probably seen mentioned on the Opene=
eg website. It was all fun and interesting to watch my own brain waves, but=
 as stated, I lacked the knowledge and
 skills requisite to any actual use and application of them. So, I put it a=
way and haven&#39;t even looked at it in years.=C2=A0</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
I also quit frequenting the Openeeg website. Every now &amp; then a message=
 from the Openeeg website pops up, but I usually just delete them, without =
even giving them a read; however, for some reason, I opened yours and saw w=
hat you had written, requesting information.=C2=A0</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
So, the reason I am writing to you is because, as of late, I have thinking =
that maybe I didn&#39;t really give biofeedback a fair trial, and have wond=
ered about just how effective it really is for some things. Thus, your mess=
age, requesting information struck a
 chord with me, as it seems as though we might be on the same &#39;waveleng=
th,&#39; so to speak.=C2=A0</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
I have, halfheartedly, tried to find any information as to how=C2=A0effecti=
ve biofeedback has truly proved to be in such areas as ADD, autism, memory,=
 as well as other things.; however, everything I&#39;ve seen hasn&#39;t see=
med very academic, and appears to be nothing
 more than anecdotal evaluations, much like you might get from reading the =
reviews given by people regarding the lawn chairs they recently bought on A=
mazon. I&#39;m not interested in that kind of evaluation, but am searching =
for=C2=A0<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!im=
portant">unbiased,
 rigorous, scientific studies concerning the effectiveness of biofeedback, =
much as what I assume that you, yourself, are seeking.=C2=A0</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
<br>
</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
If I find that biofeedback is, in fact, a valid approach to much of what it=
&#39;s touted to be, then I will give it a more concerted effort and study,=
 although I&#39;m still not going to spend
 thousands of dollars on classes. Instead, I would opt for doing some resea=
rch as to how one uses and interprets the results of biofeedback sessions. =
Between Google, YouTube, the library system, and online classes from major =
universities, there is now a plethora
 of knowledge &#39;out there,&#39; to which one can avail themselves, so it=
 seems possible that one can now probably bring themselves up to a level th=
at would meet my own needs and interests. If your need for information is p=
ursuant to more scholarly or professional
 goals, then that, of course, is another matter.=C2=A0</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
<br>
</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
So, to make a long story short, I am just writing to let you know that, sin=
ce we seem to be on at least a similar path, I will certainly pass on anyth=
ing that I find, and would appreciate
 hearing about anything that you might run across, as well.=C2=A0 Like they=
 say, &#39;two heads are better than one,&#39; so maybe we can put our effo=
rts together and come up with a decent collection of studies. Tomorrow, I w=
ill send you a list of the material which I already
 have, such as it is, but right now it&#39;s time to get ready for bed.=C2=
=A0</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
<br>
</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
Best Regards,</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
<br>
</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
Ray Cole</span></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:r=
gb(0,0,0)">
<span style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important">=
<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noreferrer">ra=
[email protected]</a></span></div>
<div id=3D"m_-4485478721692884626appendonsend"></div>
<hr style=3D"display:inline-block;width:98%">
<div id=3D"m_-4485478721692884626divRplyFwdMsg" dir=3D"ltr"><font face=3D"C=
alibri, sans-serif" style=3D"font-size:11pt" color=3D"#000000"><b>From:</b>=
 LM &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"norefe=
rrer">[email protected]</a>&gt;<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, April 2, 2021 8:16 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"=
_blank" rel=3D"noreferrer">[email protected]</a> &lt;<a hr=
ef=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"n=
oreferrer">[email protected]</a>&gt;<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Openeeg-list] Trying to do some research on the effects of=
 biofeedback</font>
<div>=C2=A0</div>
</div>
<div><font size=3D"2"><span style=3D"font-size:11pt">
<div>I&#39;m doing some research on the effects of using biofeedback.=C2=A0=
 I&#39;m<br>
trying to look for research, articles, papers, etc. comparing the<br>
results of biofeedback training and meditation and hypnagogic states.<br>
Also looking for research, articles about what people think alpha and<br>
theta waves represent and how asymmetry or waves being more prevalent<br>
in one hemisphere than another or one part of the brain versus another<br>
might affect that.=C2=A0 For instance, some research connects presence of<b=
r>
theta waves with activities such as storing memories and daydreaming.<br>
<br>
If anyone has any pointers to information on these subjects, would<br>
greatly appreciate hearing about it.<br>
<br>
Thank you very much.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
Laura<br>
<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Openeeg-list mailing list<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=
=3D"noreferrer">[email protected]</a><br>
<a href=3D"https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/openeeg-list" targe=
t=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noreferrer">https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinf=
o/openeeg-list</a><br>
Go to the above address to change your<br>
subscription options, e.g unsubscribe.<br>
</div>
</span></font></div>
</div>

_______________________________________________<br>
Openeeg-list mailing list<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=
=3D"noreferrer">[email protected]</a><br>
<a href=3D"https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/openeeg-list" rel=
=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://lists.sourceforge.net/=
lists/listinfo/openeeg-list</a><br>
Go to the above address to change your<br>
subscription options, e.g unsubscribe.<br>
</blockquote></div>

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