We’ve seen what neurofeedback is and how it works. But the real power of this method lies in how it touches lives — from children struggling with attention, to adults dealing with stress, to professionals aiming for peak performance. Let’s explore some examples.

ADHD: Sharpening Focus in Children

Take Arjun, an 11-year-old boy with ADHD. School was a daily battle — incomplete homework, constant fidgeting, and complaints from teachers. His parents were worried about putting him on long-term medication.

In neurofeedback sessions, Arjun played a simple computer game where his brainwaves controlled a racing car. When he maintained focus, the car sped forward; when his mind wandered, it slowed down.

After 25 sessions, teachers noticed a marked change: Arjun could sit longer in class, complete assignments, and follow instructions. His parents described him as calmer and more confident.

Anxiety: Finding Calm in Chaos

Meera, a 32-year-old IT professional, struggled with racing thoughts and poor sleep. Meditation apps hadn’t helped. In neurofeedback, she trained to increase her alpha waves — rhythms associated with calm alertness.

Her feedback game was soothing: the screen brightened as her brain shifted into relaxation. Over weeks, Meera reported sleeping better, fewer panic episodes, and even improved performance at work.

Epilepsy: Regaining Control

One of the earliest uses of neurofeedback was in seizure management. Rahul, a 19-year-old with drug-resistant epilepsy, trained his sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) — a brainwave pattern linked to stability.

Though not a cure, his seizure frequency dropped, and he gained a sense of control over his condition. For him and his family, neurofeedback offered hope alongside medical treatment.

Sleep Disorders: Relearning Rest

Sita, a 45-year-old homemaker, had years of insomnia. Sleeping pills worked but left her groggy. With neurofeedback, she practiced producing sleep-promoting rhythms.

Within weeks, she found herself falling asleep faster, waking less often, and feeling more refreshed. Importantly, she felt empowered — her brain was learning to rest naturally again.

Beyond Treatment: Peak Performance

Neurofeedback isn’t just for illness. Elite athletes, musicians, and business leaders use it to enter “flow states” — moments of deep focus and effortless performance.

For instance, professional violinists have trained to regulate performance anxiety before concerts, and Olympic athletes have used neurofeedback to sharpen concentration under pressure.

Conclusion

These stories highlight the versatility of neurofeedback. Whether it’s helping a child focus, calming an anxious mind, improving sleep, or boosting performance, the underlying principle is the same: the brain can be trained, just like a muscle, to function better.

In our next article, we’ll look at limitations, myths, and the future of neurofeedback — separating fact from hype.

✨ Written by Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MD (AIIMS, New Delhi), DNB, MBA (BITS Pilani) – Consultant Psychiatrist, Chennai.

📍 Practice Locations:

• Apollo Clinic, Velachery, Opp. Phoenix Marketcity, Chennai

• Kumar’s Healthcare, Chromepet (Near Tambaram, Pallavaram), Chennai

📞 Contact: 8595155808