LENS, Low Energy Neurofeedback System is a specialized and effective form of neurotherapy which promotes neural change in people with a wide variety of conditions of the central nervous system. The lasting positive results of LENS treatment are witnessed quickly; frequently beginning with the first session.

What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is direct training typically provided by health professionals. We observe the brain in action from moment to moment and that information is brought back to the person by way of the sensors. Neurofeedback is also called EEG Biofeedback because it is based on electrical brain activity, the electroencephalogram or EEG.

Neurofeedback is training in self-regulation.  Self-regulation training allows the nervous system to function better. LENS is a specialized type of Neurofeedback that functions much more quickly than traditional Neurofeedback and has qualities that make it much easier to use with people who are unable to sit still. While receiving LENS, you do not need to “do” anything, and there is nothing to learn. Most LENS sessions last 3-5 minutes. Thus, LENS is great for people who are unable or will not pay attention to a computer screen for longer periods of time.  Further, the overall treatment course with LENS is shorter than traditional neurofeedback with LENS ranging from 1 session to an average of 15-20 sessions.

Nearly all conditions of the Central Nervous System are aided by LENS.  These conditions include symptoms of the Anxiety-Depression spectrum, Attention Deficits, Behavior Disorders, Many Sleep Disorders, Various headache types including Migraine Headaches, PMS, Emotional Disturbances. Organic Brain Conditions such as Seizure Disorders, Autistic Spectrum, and Cerebral Palsy.  All of the above listed conditions are signs of dysfunction of the Central Nervous System, causing difficulty with the body’s ability to self-regulate.

​How does LENS work?

Sensors are applied to your scalp to obtain brainwave activity. The signal is processed by a computer, and the information is extracted about your key brainwave frequencies. Through a patented process, the information is brought back to the client through the sensor wires to your skin. Results of this neurofeedback process are a reduction or elimination of the bothersome symptoms which previously interfered with your quality of life.  The neurofeedback sessions are quick (usually 3-5minutes), gentle (usually you feel nothing during the session- but sometimes a sense of calm washing over you), and most of all, the results are lasting. Some exceptions of the indefinite effects from LENS are the progressive symptoms of conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis.  Symptoms of these conditions are definitely helped with LENS, but intervention needs to be ongoing to sustain the improvement of the symptoms of these progressively debilitating diseases.

What Conditions does LENS help with?

• Cognition- Memory, problems sequencing, providing and maintaining attention, concentration, clarity, and organization.
• Mood- Anger, sadness, or explosiveness.
• Motor- Lack of grace, problems of hand/eye coordination balance, increased muscle tone (from spasticity) and tremor.
• Motivation- Problems initiating tasks, shifting from one activity to another, and or completing tasks.
• Anxiety- Problems of anxiety system activity (too much uncomfortably- contained energy), persistent anxiety, restlessness, rumination, agitation, distractibility, difficulty breathing, palpitations, tremor exacerbation and sleep disturbance.
• Reactivity- Hyper-reactivity, hypersensitivity, multiple chemical sensitivities.
• Pain- Brain-generated pain (all pain is interpreted in the brain): mismapping the origins and qualities of signals. Especially neuropathic and vascular pain.
• Addictions/Dependencies- Lack of clarity about emotions and self-comforting, defensiveness, argumentativeness and cynicism.
• Fatigue- Fatigue; or fatigue as a phenomenon secondary to the effort of trying to overcome pain and/or other impediment to functioning more easily.
• Performance Optimization- Increases in functioning in the above areas in the absence of any diagnosis.
• The LENS works well with symptoms of Central Nervous System Dysfunction. Included are symptoms of ADD, ADHD, Seizures, and sub-clinical seizure activity, severely disruptive behavior disorders such as Conduct Disorder, Reactive Attachment and Bipolar Disorder, Autistic Spectrum and Pervasive Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, Concussive Injuries, PTSD, Acquired Brain Injury, and Birth Trauma.
• LENS works exceptionally well with symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury regardless of how long ago the brain injury occurred. The Brain injury can be from a physical blow, a concussive injury, a psychological incident such as PTSD, or any other occurrences resulting in diminished cognitive ability.
• Common Sleep Difficulties of Childhood including Night Terrors and Nightmares, Bed Wetting, Sleep Walking, Sleep Talking, and Teeth Grinding may be helped with LENS.
• LENS is also impactful with serious symptoms of Adolescence including Anxiety and Depression, Drug Abuse, and Suicidal Behavior.
• LENS may also promote maintenance of healthy brain function as people age.

Are the Effects of LENS long lasting?

LENS is long lasting for problems of brain dysregulation. Thus, many problems can be permanently healed with LENS.  Neurofeedback provides new learning for the brain which can bring order to disorder. The new order of the brain will continue in its optimized capacity and continue to reinforce this optimized functioning.

Limitations of LENS:

Sometimes there are unknown variables leading to dysregulation in the brain such as: early stage degenerative disease, allergies, strong reactions to some foods or pollens, or falls leading to injury to the brain. In these cases, longer courses with LENS may be needed to achieve optimal effect.  Additional medical help may also be advisable in some of these circumstances, and referral may be discussed at that time.  LENS is not the cure-all for everybody, but it has positively impacted many where other modalities of treatment have been unsuccessful.
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Regarding degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease or Dementias, and Autism or Multiple Sclerosis, the disease process is progressive and thus benefits from some degree of continued LENS over an extended period of time. Continued Allergic Response in the body and exposure to personal food intolerances make it difficult to maintain LENS benefits. Inadequate nutrition and poor digestive function limit the sustained benefits of LENS therapy, as does a person exposed to a toxic living environment (whether physical or emotional).

Success Rates with Neurofeedback:  ​

LENS is beneficial to the majority of those who receive it. One clinician experienced 95% beneficial outcome.  Some have called the results miraculous!  Miracles are not being performed, but the brain has a great capacity to recover function when given the opportunity; which LENS intervention provides.  
 
LENS has been successfully used for greater than thirty years.  There are very high expectations for success with LENS. When LENS does not have the anticipated effect or the positive effect is short-lived, there is often a reason for this which requires further investigation. The usual course of events provides most people with an impactful positive effect from LENS intervention. Thus, most people assess their outcomes from LENS as being worthwhile. The human brain is made for learning and skill acquisition. LENS provides this new skill/level of functioning for the brain.

Is Neurofeedback a Cure?

For organic brain disorders LENS is able to help the brain function better, but it is not able to cure the organic brain disorder. Regarding difficulties with dysregulation, it is said that there is not a disease to be cured. Self- Regulation through LENS may be the solution for Dysregulation, however the word cure is not applicable.