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What is a Stroke?
The brain is an active unit. Its activity can be seen
through electrical activity such as is seen with an EEG,
and blood flow studies. When there is brain damage, the
brain slows down or stops at the site of the injury.
Cause of Strokes
Strokes are generally caused by blockage of arteries and
other blood vessels in the brain (Kaufman, 1990); this
blockage damages the brain by preventing the brain from
receiving oxygen and nutrients. (Note: A physician or
neurologist is the person to diagnose a stroke.)
Treatment
Brainwaves are measured with an EEG. Like the waves seen
on lakes and oceans, brainwaves come in different varieties.
On the ocean, waves can be slow swells that occur every
few seconds, or fast as is seen in “choppiness”.
In the brain, there are slow waves which occur around
1-7 waves per second, and faster waves. Slow waves in
the healthy brain are associated with sleep, daydreaming,
creativity, inward focus. Fast waves are associated with
focus, verbal reasoning and thinking.
When the brain is injured there is an increase in slow
wave activity. The purpose of Neurofeedback is to decrease
this slow wave activity and increase fast wave activity.
Neurofeedback is done as follows. Electrodes are attached
to the head and they detect the person’s brainwaves.
The feedback regarding the brain wave amplitudes is shown
on a computer screen and auditory feedback is also given.
The client uses this feedback to decrease the slow wave
activity and increase fast wave activity in the area where
the stroke occurred. |
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