Neurofeedback improves physical balance, incontinence, and swallowing

Margaret Ayers developed a neurofeedback protocol that improves physical balance, incontinence, and swallowing. In a recent article*, Cory Hammond, PhD, presented case histories of clients he helped with these issues. This protocol holds potential promise for work with the elderly, stroke and head injury patients, primary nocturnal enuresis, and in peak performance training where balance is important, such as gymnastics.

One case presented was a 45 year old woman who spent 98% of her time in a wheelchair following a stroke. She had almost no movement in her left leg. Her balance was very compromised and she relied heavily on her cane to move awkwardly on her feet. She also had urinary incontinence, having “accidents” 4-5 times a day. After a total of 50 sessions the patient was spending 95% of her time out of her wheelchair and taking ½-1 mile walks daily. Her incontinence was virtually non-existent. The author noted how most patients begin to show improvement within 2-3 sessions, and other clinicians using this protocol report similar findings. One 19 year old college student with a lifelong bedwetting responded in 3 neurofeedback sessions.

I own and use the Neuropathways EEG unit developed my Margaret Ayers that was used in this journal article. I first learned of this particular protocol at the Neuropathways annual conference in 2002.

*Journal of Neurotherapy, Vol. 9(1) 2005, Neurofeedback to improve physical balance, incontinence, and swallowing, Hammond, C., University of Utah, School of Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.