Case Study: EEG neurofeedback for violence in children

Mariah, a four-year old preschool student, was brought to a psychologist office when her mother became desperate. Mariah was attacking her classmates, biting and kicking all who came near her when she threw one of her uncontrollable tantrums. Mariah’s IQ test revealed average performance skills and “Borderline Impaired” verbal skills. Throughout the initial evaluation, Mariah remained predominately silent.

Mariah was then treated with a total of twelve neurofeedback sessions, consisting predominately of right hemisphere SMR (Sensory Motor Rhythm) training. Mariah received SMR neurofeedback training because SMR targets and decreases hyperactivity and aids in decreasing “out of control” motor impulses.

Mariah’s mother reported that she was notably calmer after each session. After her third neurofeedback session, Mariah’s teachers reported that she was less aggressive at school; she was sleeping better, and even talking more. For her fifth session, Mariah cam in speaking fluently, and her drawings had improved. By her sixth session, Mariah reported being able to control her anger better; by her eight session her teachers reported that Mariah was initiating contact with them in regards to any anger she was experiencing and furthermore was able to talk about her feelings. By her twelfth neurofeedback session, all signs of Mariah’s previously oppositional behavior had vanished.