The Use of EEG Biofeedback For Treating Specific Learning Difficulties in Children of Middle School Age

Vol.22,No.1(2017)
Studia paedagogica

Abstract

EEG biofeedback is a therapeutic method based on providing biological feedback that enables brain wave harmonization. Using EEG recordings, clients receive immediate information about their brain activity which they can then learn to control. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of EEG biofeedback in children with learning difficulties and determine the effects of therapy on attention and reading and writing skills. To do so, an experiment was designed in which 10 children with learning difficulties aged 8–11 years undertook 20 sessions of EEG biofeedback. The results before and after the experiment were then compared. Participants showed significant improvements in focused attention, reading of coherent and incoherent texts, phonological awareness, visual differentiation, and transcription. No significant improvement was found for reading syllables, dictation, or distribution of attention. Brain activity showed positive changes through decreases in the ratio of slow and fast frequencies of brain waves.

Keywords:
EEG biofeedback; specific learning difficulties; dyslexia; dysgraphia; dysorthographia
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