NEUROFEEDBACK AT HOME - SET UP AND START TRAINING

If you rented a brain training system and are ready to start training, the following is a detailed guide for how to get oriented, set up and start using your system.

STEP 1

Fill out a Personal Checklist to Track Your Progress

We strongly recommend all renters fill out our Checklist Form prior to starting and then again, after every 8 sessions. By checking back regularly you create helpful feedback for your brain training process. For example, when clients see their 10 rating for "Feel Anxious" turn into a 4 after a few weeks of training, it is a like mirror that shows your progress. DOWNLOAD PDF: or fill this document out electronically here.

STEP 2

Set Up The Neurofeedback Equipment At Home

Unpack your system and plug in the power cord and zAmp. Watch a video on how to unpack your unit.

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TRAINING TIP

Before Your First Session, You'll Need…

1. Your own headphones or earbuds (please don't use any wireless headphones). Or play the sound through the tablet's speaker. Both options are equally effective.

2. Your Wi-fi login information. Please make sure to connect the system to wi-fi once per week. With the new NeurOptimal 3.0 software, a high-speed internet connection is now needed for the system to work properly. It’s recommended to connect your system to wi-fi at your first session and every 7 days for automatic software updates. Please check your printed manual of a more detailed step-by-step guide on how to connect to your internet. Please note: The primary feedback is via audio, as long as you have the sensors placed on scalp and ears, hear the skips/gaps in music and see that the timer in the small Vault window is counting down from 33 minutes -- it is working. If you don't see the screen saver images or charts-- don't worry! There is absolutely no need to watch the screen while in session. Instead, try to relax; close your eyes, sleep, read a book or magazine, talk, draw, play a game etc... The system and your brain/central nervous system will do all the work. Watch what happens in a session >

3. Wet-wipes or paper towel. To clean the sensors afterwards.

4. Time - Program itself is 33 minutes long. We recommend reading through the manual before starting and allow about one hour for your first session.

Step 3

Add The EEG Sensors

NeurOptimal 3.0 targets 20 different sets of frequencies across the right and left brain, each target naturally balancing off the effects of others. There are a total of five EEG sensors to set up before starting a session.

How to apply the sensors:

Place the zAmp where you will be working with it, clipped to the front or back of a shirt or back of a chair is common. 

TIP! Find it hard to apply and take off the sensors? Clip the zAmp device to your shirt and go to the mirror to add and remove the sensors. Just make sure to plug in the USB cord before starting – otherwise you'll get an error message and unable to start a session

STEP 5

Close the Program and Clean the Sensors 

When it's over, the music will stop – you are done with the session! 

Close the program then gently clean the sensors carefully after each use with wet wipes or in running warm water (make sure to dry them afterwards)! Any lingering paste can cause corrosion and will reduce the lifespan of your sensors. Do not soak in water.

Shut down the tablet when not in use afterwards and store it safely away, preferably in the case it came with.

Good To Know...

• Your system must be connected to the Internet at least once every seven days to keep licensing up to date. The simplest way for you to ensure this is to connect your system to your wireless network.

• There are two places to adjust the volume. Best option is to tap on the Volume control icon in the lower right corner (see volume icon in task bar). There are also two volume controls located at the top left of system but it is right next to Power Button which is easy to mistake.

• Cannot locate your name after entering it in The Vault (the main window of the program)? In the Vault’s lower left corner, click on “All” to pull up all names entered in the system. Please note: You only need to add your name once!

• All our system’s are professional-grade neurofeedback machines and have the newly updated software NeurOptimal 3.0. The user-interface may vary between a Personal Trainer and a Pro, but please know that it is the exact same training no matter what system you’ll rent.

Join The Neurofeedback Professional Forum!

With the monthly rental you can join the online community of NeurOptimal renters, moderated by professional trainers. It’s free with your rental and a great way get quick answers to questions, to share experiences and to understand better the NeurOptimal experience! Check your manual for the login information.

NEUROPTIMAL EXPLAINED

What happens during a neurOptimal session?

BEFORE
Before your first neurofeedback session begins, fill in the Checklist Form!

Download PDF:

Add the sensors the tiny sensors near your scalp and three clips on your ears to pick up delicate electrical activity of your brain. Much like an EKG or ECG, the NeurOptimal® neurofeedback device is simply reading this signal. Nothing invasive is involved with the training process.

NeurOptimal® neurofeedback is naturopathic and does not “push” the brain in any particular direction. The system merely cues your central nervous system to do what is naturally best for YOUR brain.

DURING

Sit in a comfortable chair facing the computer screen. Put on the headphones (use your own if at home, headphones are not included in rental) and start the program and the brain training begins. You will listen to music and you may notice very brief pauses in the sound or image.  The very precise timing of these interruptions gives the brain vital information it needs to reorganize itself to operate more optimally. You don’t have to do anything while all this is happening. It’s all right to close your eyes and "zone out" and just let your brain do its job. Length of the brain training can vary, but a session usually runs around 33 minutes (If you rent, you can do an extended version which is 44 minutes).

AFTER

How will you feel afterwards? Because NeurOptimal system is non-invasive and does not push the brain in any “direction” during training, it is highly unlikely you will feel any side effects following a session. Any noticeable shifts in your mood, awareness or energy level after brain training really depends on the individual and can vary from session to session. 

The main point is that transformation with neurofeedback happens according to the brain’s own intrinsic wisdom, with no conscious effort from the user. 

Q&A

What if I apply the sensors to the wrong place?

NeurOptimal uses C3 and C4 - ie: the midpoints on each side of the head between the top of the ear and the top of the head. If you get them close to those points, then there is no “wrong place”.

What's the purpose of the music?

How neurofeedback works is actually not about the particular sound or sight but rather how the orienting or “pay attention to yourself” response of the brain gets triggered by stopping the music or visual display.  We are “bio-hacking” by interrupting the habitual patterns through the use of the brain’s natural information gathering process, the orienting response. It’s triggered by interrupting the music which triggers the awareness response of the automatic functioning CNS to come into the present moment . This serves as an opportunity for the mal-adaptive habits, such as constantly being in a state of stress, to be revealed.

So while there is the necessity for sound it’s not the particulars of it, that make the neurofeedback work. It the interruption process at the exact millisecond the brain is about to change states (read by the electrical patterning) and perform an action that is key for the ‘feedback.’

Is it OK if I do other things while training such as read, talk or play games on iPad, etc.?

Yes!  The NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback Trainer does not require you to place your attention on the training screen in order to run a successful session.  The feedback comes primarily through interruptions in the music/audio.  If you can hear the music, then the training session will be successful.  You can read, sleep, meditate, whatever you feel inclined to do. 

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