Effect of Video and Image as Positive Feedback in Neurofeedback for Stressed Elderly

Slowing down of thought, memory and thinking is a normal part of aging. Mental exercise can help the brain to stay sharp. Neurofeedback training is a mental exercise which can improve the cortical activity. The neurofeedback process is a self-regulation training which allows the central nervous system to function better. Neurofeedback training is helpful with certain classes of problem such as attention, anxiety and depressions and also helps in improving the flexibility and resilience of brain. The training is given to elderly patients to treat age related cognitive decline such as stress.The brain wave frequencies are measured and analyzed in the course of training and the patients gradually learns to stay in the desired brain wave state by visualizing image and animated videos cues designed using LabVIEW software which are fed back to the subject via computer screen. 12 subjects were trained whose age range from 55-65. During the course of training beta wave is enhanced and theta wave is suppressed. As the training progresses, the threshold value is increased which is based on beta/theta ratio. After 3040 sessions, the efficacy is analyzed using the threshold and time