Disclaimer: The content below was generated with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by BrainMaster Technologies, Inc. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Overview #
This case study documents a 26-session neurofeedback intervention for an 11-year-old male presenting with motor and vocal tics, sensory processing concerns, distractibility, impulsivity, and developmental delays. Pre-assessment included qEEG mapping, the Sensory Profile, IVA-CPT, and individualized behavioral ratings. The intervention used BrainMaster EEG biofeedback equipment with real-time z-score training.
Patient Background #
-
Age: 11
-
History: Developmental delays (6–8 months), sensory sensitivities, motor/vocal tics, academic challenges, social immaturity.
-
Working Diagnoses: Tourette’s Disorder, ADHD-Combined Type (IVA indications), Sensory Integration Disorder (rule-out), Learning Disorders (rule-out).
-
Presenting symptoms: distractibility, tic behaviors, low endurance/tone, emotional reactivity, avoidance of physical activities.
Assessment Measures #
qEEG Findings #
-
Excess high beta absolute power concentrated in parietal regions.
-
Widespread hypercoherence across nearly all frequency bands.
-
Post-treatment: No remaining significant high-beta elevations and large reductions in coherence abnormalities. (Figure 1)
Sensory Profile (Pre/Post) #
-
Initial results showed multiple definite and probable differences across sensory domains.
-
Post-treatment:
-
Increase from 77.7% to 83.4% positive responses.
-
Marked improvements in sensory sensitivity and emotional reactivity.
-
Endurance/tone remained unchanged. (Table 1)
-
IVA-CPT (Pre/Post) #
-
Significant gains in response control across auditory and visual domains (e.g., Full Scale Response Control increased from 67 → 99).
-
Attention scores remained largely unchanged. (Table 2)
Behavioral Ratings (Pre/Post) #
-
Improvements in nearly all 16 tracked behaviors.
-
Most dramatic changes:
-
Near elimination of tics (6 → 1.33)
-
Reduced head/neck sensory sensitivity (6 → 1.66)
-
Increased willingness to try new activities (5 → 7.66)
-
Stronger distractibility tolerance (6.66 → 9.33). (Table 3)
-
Neurofeedback Procedure #
Equipment & Software #
-
BrainMaster Atlantis 4×4
-
ANI Z-Score DLL enabling real-time computation of z-scores
-
4-channel live z-score training with independent thresholds
-
Feedback delivered via audiovisual modulation of DVD playback
Training Protocol #
-
26 sessions total
-
Initial placements: T3, P3, FP2, P4
-
Later sessions: FP1, FP2, Fz, Cz
-
Target range: thresholds set to maintain 70–80% reward rate
-
Home training attempted briefly at P4 targeting 9–11 Hz enhancement and 12–15/20–30 Hz inhibition
Key Outcomes #
-
Large reduction or elimination of tics
-
Improved sensory processing, especially sensitivity and emotional reactivity
-
Greater self-control and task engagement
-
Improved handwriting, willingness to try new activities, and social confidence
-
qEEG normalization in high beta power and coherence
The most notable neurophysiological change was the reduction of high-beta hypercoherence and absolute power, aligning with observed behavioral improvements.
Conclusion #
This case study demonstrates that 26 sessions of 4-channel z-score neurofeedback were associated with substantial positive changes across sensory, behavioral, and neurophysiological domains for an 11-year-old with complex developmental and attentional symptoms. While individual response varies and causality cannot be determined from a single case, the documented improvements highlight the potential relevance of personalized, data-driven neurofeedback approaches.
