EXPERT SERIES 2

EEG Assessment

And Training

Peter Van Deusen andFrancois Dupont introducesome of the key techniquesbeing used in EEG(electroencephalography)assessment and training usingthe latest BioGraph Infinitibiofeedback software. TheTLC system (The LearningCurve) created by Peter VanDeusen integrates an elabo-rate, yet simple, assessmentprocedure using regular EEGencoders (2, 4 or 6 EEGchannels plus physiologicalchannels, with the Infinitiplatform), with a powerful 2channel training approach,which is easy to use for thetrainee and for the trainer. TheTLC system also includes acomputerized subjectiveassessment form, which guidestrainers to sites of specialinterest based on symptomconstellations in a way that isfirmly based on quantitativeEEG research.

The Biofeedback Foundation ofEurope is a non-profit organi-zation located in the Nether-lands. The BFE was foundedto promote a greater aware-ness of biofeedback amongEuropean health professionals,and, through training work-shops, educate clinicians in theuse of biofeedback techniquesand technology. For moreinformation on BFE onlinecourses, workshops andconferences worldwide see ourwebsite www.bfe.org.

Peter Van Deusen began training his own brainin 1991 and studied the theories, philosophiesand techniques of many leaders in the field ofbrain training. With no clinical background, butimpressed by the changes that occurred in hisown life, he began working with clients and builthis practice to 4 sites in metro Atlanta. In 2001he moved to Miami, FL and began training otherprofessionals, as well as home users. Hepresents throughout the US, Europe and SouthAmerica. The assessment tools he has devel-oped are used by hundreds of professionals andbrain trainers around the world. For more infor-mation about his center and his philosophy goto: www.brain-trainer.com

Dr. François Dupont is a Clinical Psychologistin private practice at the University of Ottawa,Health Services. His first contact with bio/neurofeedback was in 1991 under PaulSwingle’s doctoral supervision. He has usedbio/neurofeedback in the context of chronic pain,high blood pressure, ADD/H, anxiety, mild head-injury, trauma, etc. Dr. Dupont often combinesbio/neurofeedback with techniques borrowedfrom cognitive-behavioural, dynamic/humanisticand experiential approaches. His doctoralcomprehensive examination looked at the psy-cho-socio-existential adjustment to cancer whilehis doctoral dissertation dealt with the effect ofsub-threshold audio recording on EEG and on

behavioural changes in ADD/H children. For more information go to:www3.sympatico.ca/fdupont-phd.

Do you think it is important to assess people before you train them?Yes, both Peter and I think that adding an EEG assessment can be of particularvalue to help see the client’s status prior to training and measure improvementover sessions. With this basic information in hand, the neurofeedback practi-tioner can establish a training program finely-tuned to the patient or client’sneeds. We don’t like to use a recipe approach. The TLC assessment is anexcellent tool to help determine each person’s brainwaves before training. Itcertainly changed the way I practiced when I started running an assessment asa routine before I begin training.

What makes Peter Van Deusen’s approach so popular?First, the TLC assessment provides multiple accurate pictures of brain activa-tion patterns that are practically oriented toward telling us what and where totrain. What differentiates the TLC is that it is easy to do, with your regularencoder, fast to do, more focused on training than data, and yet it gives thetrainers data that is very consistent with what they learn from QEEG's. Also, itincludes a training approach designed to broaden the effectiveness of training

Francois Dupont, Ph.D.

Peter Van Deusen

by using two-channelprotocols, to simplify thetrainer’s technical job byusing summed-channelprotocols and to mini-mize negative effects byfocusing mainly oninhibit-only protocols.

Mr. Van Deusen, howdoes the assessmentpart of the TLC systemwork?My approach to EEGassessment is based onthe fact that commonpatterns of activation inthe brain tend to belinked to specific sets ofstrengths and weaknesses. Myassessment tools link subjectiveinformation about the client’s day today life and thinking style to the

objective information gathered fromEEG data. Together, these suggesttraining strategies for a successfulneurofeedback program. The TLCSystem provides two tools used byhundreds of clinicians and trainersaround the world to guide andinform their development of trainingplans: The TLC Assess Pro and theTLC Subjective Evaluation.

The TLC Assess Pro is an assess-ment tool that provides 10-18channels of EEG data in 7 differentviews (histograms, head-maps,ratio and peak frequency data,variance graphs, etc.), which allowyou to compare eyes-closed, eyes-open and challenge task activationpatterns across the head. Theassessment form includes pageson which the trainer can note

training options and define and tracka training plan. In contains a built-insystem for reviewing the data in astructured way focused on identify-ing highly effective training strate-gies. The TLC Assess Pro is notbased on comparing your clientagainst normative databases; ratherit helps you to identify patterns andrelationships between sites andfrequencies within the client’s ownbrain. These specific relationships(identified and validated by QEEGpattern analysis) stand out in thedata and can be compared againstthe client’s training goals. These leadmore directly totraining approaches.

The TLC SubjectiveEvaluation is acomputerized filethat allows clients torate a wide range ofsubjective issuesand then uses theseratings to identifybrain structures thatappear to be mostinvolved in thoseproblems. Theassessment ranksthe 5 standard sitepairs from whichassessment data isgathered and the 4optional pairs (for atotal of 18 channels)according to theirinvolvement in client

problems. It also provides a list ofthe 20 highest rated problems.Since the entire process is per-formed and scored on the compu-ter, it is a quick and efficient way toget a rough view of where trainingshould focus.

Dr. Dupont, how easy is it to runthe assessment using the Infinitisoftware?Essentially, to run the assessmentwith the Infiniti Suite for TLC As-sessment and Training (TLC Suite),all you have to do is press a key tostart. This is made possible with the

“My goal in the training Ido is to take the insightsand information from thepioneers of the field andto integrate them into asystem that makes thebest decision-makingavailable to as manyneurofeedback practi-tioners as possible”.

EXPERT SERIES 2

script sessions, a great featureunique to the Infiniti software.Script sessions are generally used(but not exclusively) for standard-izing assessments and evaluationsbecause they run through aprescribed sequence of activities,generate activity-specific statisticsand automatically stop at the endof the script. When running, ascript automatically gives instruc-tions (text and image format) tothe practitioner, and to the client,waits for a key to be pressed tomove to the next step, loadsdisplay screens, records data andsaves data at the end.

The scripts in the TLC Suite allowyou to easily and accurately runthe three activities needed: eyesclosed, eyes open and a specifictask associated with the electrodeplacements. After each activity yousee the statistics for that activityand you have the option to repeatit if something went wrong, like ifthere are too many artefacts,allowing you to record the dataover again for that specific activityonly. When you are ready toproceed with an activity, all youhave to do is press a key tocontinue. On-screen instructionsguide you through the assessmentand help you instruct your client.After each recording, you areoffered to run the full script again,with all the previous settings, atthe touch of a key. Special screensare included for automatic andmanual artefact rejection.One of the things I am most

pleased aboutwith the TLCSuite is that itcan be used tocollect data 2, 4or 6 EEG chan-nels at a time; inaddition tophysiologicalmeasures, likemuscular ten-sion, skin con-ductance, heartrate, peripheraltemperature and

respiration. This means that newpractitioners can get started rightaway with the ability to routinely runassessment before training; with thesame encoder they use for training(ProComp Infiniti, ProComp2 andProComp+).

Dr. Dupont, can you use the TLCSuite to create reports of changesbetween different sessions?Yes, you can use the Infiniti TLCSuite to create trend reports betweenactivities (eyes closed, eyes openand a task) in one session andacross sessions. You could decide torun the 3 minute script every somany training sessions to assessyour patient’s improvement overtime. This option(among others)combined with thefact that the TLCSuite is so easy torun, with its stepby step guidance,make it a perfecttool to establishstandardizedbaselines forresearch purpose(like with theBFE’s Interna-tional Researchand EducationProjects; IREP).

Peter, how do I learn how tointerpret the session?On my website (www.brain-trainer.com) you will find a series ofworkshop starting at beginner’slevel all the way to the 3-day Train-ers' Practicum workshop, which isan advanced training on how tointerpret assessments and createmeaningful treatment plans. Inaddition to the interpretation that Iteach, on the BFE website(www.bfe.org) you will find onlinecourses like: Intro toNeurofeedback, Intro to the TLCSuite for EEG Assessment, andIntro to the TLC Suite for EEGTraining. The latter is about the useof the specific training screens inthe TLC Suite.

Can you both tell me a little aboutthe TLC’s method of training?There are three main protocols Ioften use and teach. The Squash,Squish and Windowed Squash. Allthree have the following in common:All are two-channel (monopolar ineach channel) protocols, all aresum-channel protocols (the twosignals are added together to resultin a single training signal) and allare inhibit-only protocols (no rewardband).

Improve YourImprove YourImprove YourImprove YourImprove Your

Health & PerformanceHealth & PerformanceHealth & PerformanceHealth & PerformanceHealth & PerformanceDr. Francois Dupont provides the following services in French and English to the generalpopulation:

• Individual short-term and long-term general psychotherapy (self-esteemissues,interpersonal difficulties, depression, burnout, anxiety, trauma, post-traumaticstress disorder, etc.);

• Behavioural management of health-related habits (e.g. sleep hygiene, stressmanagement, etc.) and therapy for individuals with different types of illnesses;

• Biofeedback and neurofeedback for relaxation and attention enhancementtraining, and also as an aid in the management of impairments such as chronic pain,high blood pressure, mild head-injury, Tourette syndrome, etc.

• Assessment of psychological / emotional, cognitive and behavioural functioning(including ADD/H).

Clinical, Health, and Rehabilitation PsychologyTherapy, assessment, and consultation

University of Ottawa; Health Services100-100 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5 CanadaTél. : (613) 564-3950 poste/ext. 225 ; Fax : (613) 564-0758http://www3.sympatico.ca/fdupont-phdfdupont-phd@sympatico.ca

www.bfe.org

The 8th Conference of the InternationalStress Management Association (ISMA)Montréal, Québec, Canada July 9 - 13, 2007

The 8th Conference of the International Stress ManagementAssociation will explore the similarities and differences inthe nature, perception and handling of human stress incountries around the world.

You are invited to 5 days of cutting edge sessions led by adistinguished group of researchers, practitioners, teachers

and authors. This meeting takes place in Montreal, where Dr. Hans Selye spent over half a century researching stress andits positive and negative effects on the human body. Workshops, keynote addresses, lectures and continuing educationcredits providing a program strong in scientific and clinical content will meet the breadth of interests of professionals whorecognize the escalating pervasiveness of stress throughout the world and want to do something about it. Come join usat historic Université de Quebec à Montreal (UQAM).

Francois Dupont, Ph.D.

Dr. François Dupont is a ClinicalPsychologist in private practicewith certification in General,Health, and RehabilitationPsychology from the College ofPsychologists of Ontario.