HRV TRAINING (“HEART COHERENCE”)
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a biomarker for physical health, emotional well-being and cognitive performance. HRV can be improved with regular training of Heart Rate Coherence. By using the specialized “physiology suite” program you can effectively learn how to relax : the way you breath impacts your heart rate variability.
HRV it is an accurate, non-invasive measure of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) which constantly responds to what we are doing and controls the unconscious bodily processes. ANS consists of : Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – turns on during stress and of Parasympathetic Nervous System (PMS) – activates when we slow down, relax. During the HRV training a balance between both is measured.
The training concentrates on a breathing technique that leads to so called “heart rate coherence”. While breathing, the acceleration and slowing of the heart rate are coordinated. Your “coherent” heart indicates to your brain that you’re calm. The analysis of the HRV is an important method of controlling the physiology and ability to fight a daily stress. The research tends to show that the more we improve our HRV the more we reach a state of coherence of the heart rhythm that have power to synchronize consequently with the brain waves. Such a collaboration between the heart and the brain offers tremendous health benefits while maintaining a positive and self-confident attitude in life.
EEG BIOFEEDBACK (called NEURO-FEEDBACK)
Training for the efficient brain
These are the non-invasive trainings based on self-regulation of the brain function.
FOR WHO ?
=> All persons, whose work requires concentration, rapid and correct decision taking and for those suffering from the prolonged stress, for example managers, in order to :
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improve concentration and focusing,
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improve memory,
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increase resistance to stress and lower a stress level.
=> Children (based on the diagnosis of a child psychologist or neurologist in order to support a treatment) in case of :
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impaired attention (ADD)
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the psycho-motor hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
PLANNING THE TRAININGS
It depends on a person and a problem. It is recommended to follow the trainings at least once a week and preferably 2 times a week (or more).
HOW IT WORKS IN PRACTICE
In practice: one sensor placed on the head, captures the brain-waves and transmits them to a special device connected to a computer. This device converts the brain-wave signal into image and sound on the computer. In this way, the person can see directly on the screen whether he/she concentrates, relaxes (depending on the exercise) or not.
Exercises are different. They can be simple ,like moving the boat from the left to the right; or more complex: maintaining the focus of the film, winning the car race, etc.
MORE ABOUT NEURO-FEEDBACK
It is a type of biofeedback that uses a real-time display of the brain activity to teach self-regulation of the brain function.
The brain reacts to the states of our body and psyche. It produces various ranges of electromagnetic waves: delta, theta, alpha, beta (including gamma, which are however not covered by the given method). The bio-electrical activity of the brain changes, not only as reaction to our physiological state, but depending as well on our age and the various external and internal factors. The neuro-physiological disorders may lead to changes in the brain waves, which consequently impact on our cognitive abilities, for example: concentration, learning ability, behavioral and emotional disturbances caused by stress, etc.
The relationship between the state of our body and the brain waves were discovered in the 60s of the last century. In the early 70′s of the XX century, the American Space Agency NASA began to use a special method called “biofeedback EEG” (ElectroEncephaloGraphy) for training the astronauts. Thanks to the rapid progress and technological development, this method has been improved and widespread. For already over 10 years it has been also known in Europe.
The method was developed thanks to a discovery that the human brain is able to learn the new working models (“brain plasticity”). Through exercises we are able to improve the range of our brain waves. Biofeedback EEG known as neurofeedback, is the type of training that allows a person to consciously change the pattern of waves produced in the brain so that the brain works more efficiently and faster.
It is the non-invasive method of training! Thanks to the placed sensor on the head, the brain waves are read and converted into an understandable graphical form for the client (e.g. animation or video film). During the training a person controls her own reactions in a conscious way and the improvement in the brain waves is immediately visible on the computer screen. Thanks to this, the person knows, for example, when is concentrated, and when ceases to be focused (e.g. when a movie stops). This allows the person to learn the reaction of her own brain, and modify it in order it functions effectively.
“In 2013 the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that the EEG biofeedback method is one of the most recommended forms of therapy for patients with ADHD and ADD. The recommendation applies to such results, the effectiveness of which is sufficiently supported by the scientific and clinical research. ” The studies have shown the sustained improvement in case of 86% of the respondents taking the intensive training of neurofeedback.