Helpfulmom,

I am interested in hearing more about the neuro-therapy your son has undergone. Is it volitional neuro-therapy or non-volitional.

Volitional neuro-therapy is when the subject controls the effect by changing thinking patterns to strengthen weak waveforms. It is often called neuro-feedback or neuro-bio-feedback. It may be done with a video game like system for the younger patients or just a moving graph for older patients.

Non-volitional neuro-therapy is when the system attempts to stimulate the brain with sound, light, electrical pulses, electromagnetic pulses, etc. The most common names are ROSHI, LENS, TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). Some practitioners try to call this neuro-feedback claiming the devise feeds a signal back to the brain. This is an attempt by the industry to group the controversial non-volitional neuro-therapy with the less controversial volitional neuro-feedback.

Neither system has FDA approval for treating any medical condition. They are allowed to be promoted as relaxation devices/therapies with a limited exempt status. This exempt status iss granted due to studies that show the device/therapy to be GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe meaning it does not cause harm to the patient) Promotion for use to treat TBI, mTBI, concussion, and any medical condition is forbidden.

None have been subjected to the kind of double blind clinical study needed to get FDA approval. Insurance companies that cover these therapies often do so under general psycho-therapy provisions. Some practioners have very creative treatment coding that helps their patients get insurance coverage.

There are plenty of anecdotal reports of success with both systems.

The volitional systems are well understood as they cause the subject to learn to exert more control over brain functions, either by better focus skills, relaxations skills, etc. The reward causes the brain to try to maintain the same functional level. This is a dopamine response system that is extremely effective.

The non-volitional systems are a mystery as to why they appear to work for some and not work or even cause distress for others. They mechanism of action is basically unknown. Some systems will use a pleasant or irritating sound as a reward or disincentive to changes in the brain wave form.

btw, the brain map is done with a qEEG (quantitative EEG)system.
Also, the APA does not have authority to approve any such device/therapy. They may endorse its use by their members. Currently, a sub-group within the APA has pursued an effort to get a critical mass of practitioners using these systems before the FDA and insurance companies can object.

I am glad to hear you son has benefited. His relapse (decompensation) likely had more to do with the stresses of finals that the time away from therapy. The studying and stress of tests, especially finals, is a common trigger for concussion decompensations.

When he learns to 'bring home' the skills he learns during neuro-therapy and apply them 24/7, his symptom free periods will increase. He has a choice in how he responds to the stresses life throws at him. Encourage him to bring these skills home.

As a Multiple Impact Syndrome subject, he will benefit greatly as he endures the ups and downs of life. The sterile environment of the therapy room can not be brought home. He will need strong skills to continue these benefits in the chaos of daily life. Eventually, they will become his way of life.

But, Mom, as he sets out on his own, he will likely have occasional setbacks. Post Concussion Syndrome subjects learn our best lessons the hardest way. When we get tired of the roller coaster, we finally understand that there are choices we can make to have a more stable life.

What were his major symptoms that improved with the neuro-therapy?