2B
EEG Neurofeedback Session: Maps, Histograms, and Plan Development
This set of notes distills a detailed, in-session discussion of data interpretation, protocol selection, and training planning for a neurofeedback client. The speaker walks through observations on the maps and histograms, analyzes reversals and coherence, and then translates those observations into concrete training options. The content emphasizes data quality, flexible planning, client feedback, and a staged approach to protocol testing (options page → plan page) with a long-term strategy that includes advanced training like coherence, SMR uptraining, and alpha/theta approaches.
Maps and Spectrum Observations; Hot Spots and Artifact Considerations
The maps page reveals several striking patterns. A very hot spot is observed with eyes open, spanning from CZ to P4 and concentrated in the band. This is described as “a very hot spot” in an unusual frequency range for a task-related activity. In addition, there is a bizarre high-beta pattern around F3 and F4 and OZ, described as a Halloween mask. The observer notes that artifacting is evident; despite attempts to remove artifacts, the client’s data still shows significant artifact presence. The client may have been scrunching her eyes during data collection (even with eyes partly open or closed), or head tilt could be contributing to artifacts. The maps visually corroborate the power map: there is little activity at task in the frontal region, with a clear cluster at F3 in the delta band during a reading task, and nothing meaningful in the 10–12 Hz range at task in other regions. The 15–19 Hz band is clearly prominent in the maps, with an especially strong representation at the CZ to P4 region when the client was performing the task.
Power maps sharpen this picture: minimal front activity at task, some activity around F3 in the delta band (a small artifact-like signal in the 4–6 Hz range at F3/F4). The other notable feature is that alpha activity appears in three spots around T5, T6, and PZ in the 10–12 Hz region, which seems persistent as the client engages in different tasks (e.g., reading). The 15–19 Hz activity is the dominant feature, and the 19–23 Hz and 23–38 Hz ranges are examined for additional patterns. The overall impression is “a brain on fire” with disorganization, particularly in the anterior regions, but with the back of the head showing more stability as tasks progress.
This client is described as possibly in her fourth assessment attempt. The earlier attempts yielded data that were not useful: the first time the data were dominated by a 60 Hz artifact; the second-to-last time the client produced about thirty minutes of data with all tasks recorded, and the present attempt involved careful instruction and data handling. Despite the imperfect data, the clinician chooses to work with the current data rather than repeat data collection, arguing that some patterns may still yield useful insights when viewed across multiple sources (maps, histograms, and analysis pages).
EEG Analysis: Early Observations on the Heads Page; Hot Temporals and Reversals
On the heads page, the first category checked is hot temporals. The client clearly exhibits hot temporals, with values such as 22.5 ext{%} (and related values around 22 ext{–}22.5 ext{%}), indicating extremely fast activity in temporal regions. The data reveal a disconnect category that is not present here (no disconnect between left and right temporal regions that would indicate a gross inter-hemispheric imbalance expected in some forms of abuse history). Nevertheless, hot temporals are present, suggesting excessive fast activity in the temporal lobes. Given the observed patterns, the trainer reframes the initial label from “hot temporals” to “extreme fast wave activity” to encompass the broader across-head presence of rapid frequencies, not limited to the temporal lobes. The plan becomes to look for extreme fast activity across bands and locations, with attention to F3/F4 and OZ as focal points.
The plan on the options page is to brainstorm various training targets based on the observed patterns. The first proposed target is to address the extreme fast activity, focusing on frequencies in the range , where the maps show dominance. The maps show that the dominant fast activity is around the fronto-temporal region and extends to the central area as well. The histograms corroborate this, showing a clear uphill trend in the range, with a notable, though smaller, presence in the range. The clinician’s note is that 23–38 Hz is the major band for fast activity in this particular brain and that 19–23 Hz is a secondary contributor. In practical terms, this leads to the decision to implement a two-channel squish (2C squish) targeting the band, while considering lower bands for broader control.
The histograms show activity rising in the 23–38 Hz band overall, with 19–23 Hz also showing strong activity. The clinician proposes a 5-minute check-in during training to assess the client’s experience and then continue for about in five-minute segments. If the client’s brain activity calms, those segments can be extended or adjusted. The goal is to identify a practical sequence of segments in which the client can experience success and gradually extend the training window.
On the OZ region, the back of the head shows more stable activity but with significant variability across all bands; the temporals again show robust activity in 15–38 Hz (and possibly outside this window). The plan is to write down options, including training the frontals (e.g., F3 with A1 and F4 with A2) and possibly extending to T3/T4 for broader coverage. The idea is to generate a menu of training options so that, on the plan page, one can pick one to five targeted protocols for the session. The intent is to iterate quickly and refine as data become clearer during the session.
From Skim to Plan: Page-by-Page Workflow and Decision-Making
The workflow emphasizes a structured, iterative approach. First, on the options page, you brainstorm a wide set of potential training targets based on what you see on the maps and histograms. The aim is to generate a comprehensive list of plausible interventions rather than prematurely narrowing to a single choice. Then, on the plan page, you select the top one to five options that you think are most important to pursue in the current session. You can always modify the plan later as you see how the client responds to chosen protocols.
An important nuance is how to handle the front/back and left/right reversals. The analyze page provides both absolute and relative ratios for alpha and beta. In this case, the frontal alpha (or “alpha reversals”) is less robust in the front compared to the back; alpha is clearly stronger in the back, particularly on the left side and central midline points, and there is a beta reversal pattern with more beta in the back than in the front. The plan may involve training on the right side to reduce fast activity (for example, targeting T3 and T4 with 19–38 Hz) or conducting a squish in the 15–19 Hz band to reduce front/back beta asymmetry. In some cases, the clinician may also choose to target the posterior parietal and occipital regions to move alpha back toward the front, depending on the specific goals of the patient’s training. The aim is to reduce the front/back and left/right asymmetries that appear as reversals, thereby improving balance in alpha and beta across the head.
The analyze page also introduces the “blocking” category. In this case, the blocking pattern suggests that the central midline areas show relatively high middle-band activity and that the slow and fast bands are not aligned as expected. The midline shows that slow percent is higher in the middle; alpha percent is higher in the middle, and fast is lower in the middle. This implies that the brain may be cooling slightly in the middle region, but the dominant feature remains the very fast activity elsewhere. Given this, the clinician decides to deprioritize blocking for now and focus on reversals and hot fast activity instead.
Coherence and Connectivity: Report Page Findings and Training Implications
The report page highlights coherence patterns. Slow-wave coherence (in the delta/theta bands) is within the typical range (between approximately 40 ext{%} and 70 ext{%} across relevant sites). Fast-wave coherence shows high coherence in certain fronto-central channels (e.g., FP1/FP2, CZ/PZ), which likely reflects the ease of short-range synchronization in fast frequencies due to proximity. This pattern suggests rigidity or difficulty relaxing, consistent with the described clinical picture. The speaker notes that central strip coherence for beta and high-beta is high, indicating a tendency toward inability to relax and shift states. The clinician suggests deploying multiband coherence down training to reduce coherence across multiple bands, aiming to attenuate the rigidity and help the client shift more easily between states. The approach includes training with eyes closed or eyes open in blocks, with five minutes per block and a total of about twenty minutes.
SMR (sensorimotor rhythm) percent is reported as very low on the report page. Since SMR uptraining would typically increase body awareness, and given the client’s potential pain history (or other conditions) where heightened body awareness may be undesirable, the clinician notes that SMR uptraining should be used selectively. The proposed plan is to train SMR up at C4/A2 or C3/A2 with the “SMR percent up with beats” protocol, always with eyes open, for five minutes with a total session length of around . Because SMR percent is a relative measure (Percent of total), the strategy focuses on reducing very fast activity to raise SMR’s relative share.
Coherence is also considered in the context of coherence-based protocols like alpha gamma synchrony (AGS) and alpha synchrony. The clinical reasoning suggests that low coherence and low alpha are common in anxiety and processing issues; thus, after initial options are tested, later sessions (potentially starting in the fifth session) could introduce the alpha gamma synchrony protocol or alpha synchrony alone to boost coherence and integration across regions. There is also mention of a potential alpha theta protocol as an integrative training method to stabilize the brain over time, which could be scheduled around session number ten to allow the brain to consolidate earlier changes without introducing new, potentially destabilizing stimuli.
Specific Protocols Discussed: Targets, Frequencies, and Rationale
Extreme fast activity target: The dominant pattern is . Proposed targets include two channels with a squish in the range (to dampen high-frequency activity while preserving other bands). Two potential channels mentioned are F3/A1 ground and F4/A2. A parallel consideration is to examine the range, but the dominant pattern is 23–38 Hz.
Front/back beta reversals: The front region shows relatively less beta, while the back shows more beta. A proposed plan is to train the left side (e.g., T3 and C3) to reduce slow activity (2–10 Hz) and modulate beta toward the front. A two-channel inhibit and one reward approach could be used across T3/A1 and T4/A2, with training in the range for inhibition and for reward.
Front/back reversals: The plan includes stimulating front areas to balance back activity. A possible approach is to constrain 8–12 Hz or 10–12 Hz alpha in the back while providing slow-wave attenuation in the front, with a possible focal plan around F3/C3 or F3/CZ.
Alpha reversals and beta reversals: The observer notes strong left-right alpha reversals and corresponding beta reversals across multiple sites (e.g., FP1/FP2, F7/F8). The strategy includes cross-hemispheric symmetry protocols, with linked ears (to ensure that comparisons are meaningful and not confounded by asymmetries in temporal lobe artifacts). The proposed protocol is alpha beta symmetry with FAST inhibit, applied to FP1/A1 and FP2/A2 (for eyes closed or open). The goal is to shift 12–15 Hz alpha toward the right hemisphere and 12–19 Hz beta toward the left hemisphere, effectively balancing hemispheric activity.
Alpha up vs. alpha down: The clinician discusses the possibility of an alpha up protocol, which would move alpha to higher frequencies (e.g., from a lower peak around toward or higher). However, for alpha up to be effective, the peak frequency should be near ; in this case, the peak is far from that range, so alpha up may be less effective. The alternative is to train 6–9 Hz down and 9–12 Hz up, focusing on the back parietals (PZ/P4) to propagate the shift across the head.
Alpha theta (AT) integration: After about a set of five sessions, the plan includes an alpha theta training session as a stabilizing, integrative step—aimed at bringing subconscious content to the surface in a safe way and at a pace the brain can tolerate. The rationale is that alpha theta can help consolidate and integrate changes from earlier sessions, acting like a varnish between sanding sessions. The strategy would schedule an AT session around session number ten, roughly every five sessions thereafter, to consolidate gains without overloading the client.
Alpha gamma synchrony (AGS) and alpha synchrony: These protocols may be introduced in later stages (e.g., around session five or later) to improve cross-regional binding and to support emotional regulation and coherence. The plan allows for keeping slot #6 flexible for such options if needed.
Coherence down training: Multiband coherence down training is discussed as a way to reduce widespread fast-wave coherence and improve flexibility. This protocol targets multiple bands (from low beta to high beta) to normalize synchrony across the brain. It is described as 4–5 frequency bands beginning at low beta and going up into high beta.
Sample session (PacMan): The sample session protocol is described as a pure one-channel inhibit protocol, used to assess how the client responds when inhibiting a specific band (e.g., 2–10 Hz down) while receiving feedback. The concept emphasizes the importance of short training bursts, such as a 1–3 minute block, with rest periods in between to gauge progress and avoid fatigue.
Symmetry protocols with linked ears: The emphasis on symmetrical training (e.g., F3 against A1 and F4 against A2 with linked ears) ensures that comparisons are made between like regions across ears, improving interpretability of changes and avoiding misattribution to temporal lobe anomalies.
Reading and client feedback: The clinician stresses asking open-ended questions to elicit client experiences and avoid bias. Questions such as “How are you feeling?” “What are you noticing?” and “What’s different now than at the start?” are recommended to help clients articulate their internal experiences. The goal is to have the client describe changes rather than the clinician imposing an expected outcome.
Two Case Highlights: Sessions, Patterns, and Plan Adaptation
Case 1: The primary client with extreme fast activity and artifacts
Observations: A hotspot in (CZ to P4) with a Halloween-mask pattern in high beta at F3/F4 and OZ. Strong front-back and left-right reversals were noted later in the analysis. The temporal regions showed hot activity, while the temporals remained highly active across many frequencies. The maps and histograms consistently point to a dominant very-fast (23–38 Hz) component with some 19–23 Hz involvement. There were artifact concerns (60 Hz in earlier attempts) and data quality variability across sessions.
Data quality and variability: Data across attempts varied. The first data were corrupted by 60 Hz artifacts; the second to last attempt yielded roughly 30 minutes of data. The current attempt reflects improved instruction and task alignment, though artifact influence remains. The variability is acknowledged, and the plan embraces a flexible, iterative approach rather than repeating data collection.
Analysis approach: The clinician shifts from labeling the pattern as “hot temporals” to “extreme fast wave activity” given its pervasive presence. The option pages include 2C squish for 19–38 Hz and targeted training around F3/F4 with A1/A2 references; a related plan suggests 23–38 Hz as the major region to train and to consider 19–23 Hz for supplementary considerations. The training window is gradually increased in five-minute segments, with a check-in after the initial five minutes to assess client comfort and experience. The plan is dynamic and moves between eyes closed and eyes open states to determine which configuration yields better outcomes.
Reversals and front/back decisions: The front/back beta reversals suggest the back is generating more beta than the front. The clinician contemplates front/back training by focusing on the left front quadrant or FZ with C3/CZ to reduce slow activity and raise fast activity in appropriate regions. The plan includes 2C squish in the 15–19 Hz range (beta) or even broader 15–38 Hz squish to address the back hotspots.
Plan construction: The plan page lists several options (one to five) to be used in a session, with a systematic approach to selecting the most impactful. Slot #6 is reserved for flexible strategies like alpha theta or later AGS if needed. The clinician acknowledges that some options may not produce a noticeable effect immediately; the emphasis is on trying multiple strategies across sessions to identify productive directions.
Client engagement and ethics: The clinician emphasizes asking the client how they feel and what they notice, rather than assuming a result. They encourage involving the client’s support network to report changes in the 24 hours after a session when effects may emerge gradually. If a client reports no noticeable change, the plan documents “nothing” and proceeds to other protocols. This approach aims to avoid misleading clients about expected outcomes and to preserve momentum across sessions.
Case 2: The ex-marijuana smoker; alpha reversals and coherence considerations
Observations: The ex-marijuana smoker shows some alpha activity but with notable reversals in the alpha band and beta reversals, especially in the temporals and frontal sites (T3/T4 and P3/P4). The left/right alpha distribution appears imbalanced (e.g., left alpha higher than right in several locations). There are strong left-right and front-back reversals, with relative domination of alpha in the back and front regions. The C3 and C4 sites show alpha values around the high 20s to low 30s percentage, with some asymmetry that suggests a left-dominant alpha pattern in certain regions.
Strategy: The analysis suggests boosting beta on the left (to balance alpha and beta) and reducing excessive alpha on the left front to promote balance. The plan includes a targeted 2–channel, two-site approach: T3A1 and C3A1 (and analogous right-side sites) with one inhibit channel and one reward channel. The proposed bands are for inhibition in the left front quadrant to reduce overly slow activity, and (or up to ) for reward to encourage faster activity where needed.
Training timing and pacing: Given a brain that is relatively slow, the clinician acknowledges that the brain may require shorter training bursts to achieve adequate engagement. Suggested training blocks could be around with rest periods of similar length, totaling roughly for a session. The participant’s ability to sustain alpha control is likely to improve over short bursts with rapid rest. If a client demonstrates success briefly and then loses it, the trainer should adapt the block length accordingly to maintain client success.
Session dynamics and feedback: The clinician stresses the importance of noticing subtle changes in the client’s subjective experience and adjusting the protocol to avoid over-pushing the client. The sample session helps identify how quickly alpha can be controlled, and it also highlights the risk that clients may overestimate their progress or underreport subtle shifts. The importance of a structured feedback loop is emphasized: early-session outcomes (e.g., perceived calm, reduced mental chatter) are noted, and the plan adapts to emphasize or de-emphasize certain bands accordingly.
Longer-term strategy: The ex-marijuana smoker case illustrates how a professional might identify when to escalate to alpha theta or alpha gamma synchrony after several sessions, particularly if coherence remains suboptimal. The clinician notes that coherence-based protocols could be helpful for improving inter-regional coupling, especially for someone with emotional or processing concerns. The clinician suggests that coherence may be more effectively improved using alpha gamma or alpha synchrony in addition to targeted band reductions. The plan also considers introducing alpha theta after roughly ten sessions to stabilize gains and to allow conscious material to surface safely.
Practical and Ethical Considerations; The Bigger Picture
The clinician emphasizes that there is no single, universal EEG signature of “normal.” Each brain has its own operating style. The goal of neurofeedback is not to normalize the brain to a statistical average but to expand the client’s operating range and improve function within their unique pattern. A strong case is made that functional, context-dependent metrics are more important than absolute normative data.
The value of client self-report and collateral feedback is stressed. It is essential to ask open-ended questions, track changes across the session and in the 24 hours afterward, and incorporate feedback from a client’s support network when possible. This helps prevent the client from either over- or under-reporting progress and ensures that observations reflect genuine changes rather than placebo effects or expectations.
The plan anticipates variability and artifact issues. The therapist acknowledges that artifact contamination and data variability across sessions will occur. Rather than discard data, the clinician uses a flexible, iterative approach to interpret patterns across maps, histograms, and reports and to adjust the training plan accordingly.
Ethical practice includes clarity about possible outcomes and the pacing of advancement. The clinician explains the likely scenario that initial sessions may yield subtle or no overt changes. Clients are encouraged to report any changes, and the trainer communicates expectations about the nature of progress, the time course, and how to interpret modest early improvements.
The training approach also highlights the importance of safety and pacing. Alpha theta is explicitly described as a stabilizing intervention—used after several sessions to consolidate gains rather than to push the brain too hard too quickly. The option to use multiband coherence down, SMR up, or AGS protocols is introduced with careful consideration of each client’s symptom profile and overall brain state.
The educational goal is to build confidence in trainees: the clinician models a process of drafting multiple protocols, testing hypotheses, documenting outcomes, and iterating. Trainees are encouraged to write down possible protocols and spend a limited amount of time (no more than about ten to fifteen minutes) to summarize the brain’s pattern and articulate a plan. The instructor suggests that the next step is to come prepared for the next session with at least one or two tested ideas that could be implemented in practice.
Summary of Key Frequencies, Bands, and Targets (LaTeX-annotated)
Very fast activity: dominant in the range , with notable involvement in the front and temporal regions. A squish targeting this band is a core option.
Dominant fast pattern: , with some activity in , as seen on maps and histograms.
Alpha band: typical boundary around ; in this case, there is alpha activity observed at in the back and central regions, and a broader 12–15 Hz component in FP1/FP2 that is partially reversed between hemispheres.
Beta band: conventional beta is roughly , with high-beta extending toward the range in several locations. Front/back and left/right reversals often involve beta differences on the front vs. back.
SMR: Specific focus on the band; SMR up training is considered with attention to relative increases in SMR percent and its impact on body awareness and filtering.
Coherence ranges: slow-wave coherence roughly 40 ext{%} ext{ to } 70 ext{%} in the targeted bands; fast-wave coherence can be very high in FP1/FP2 and CZ/PZ, particularly during sustained fast activity.
Training segment durations: initial check-in around , with total sessions of around , typically divided into five-minute blocks.
Alpha theta strategy timing: consider AT starting around session number , with planning to alternate every five sessions to consolidate gains.
Practical Takeaways for Study and Exam Preparation
A thorough neurofeedback session comprises careful observation of maps and histograms, identification of dominant bands, and recognition of patterns such as hot temporals, reversals (left/right and front/back), and coherence. The practitioner must translate these observations into action by brainstorming protocols on the options page before committing to a plan on the plan page.
Data quality matters: artifact presence and session-to-session variability require a flexible, iterative approach, not a rigid, one-shot plan. The clinician emphasizes not discarding data outright but instead integrating patterns across pages to guide decisions.
The plan is never rigidly fixed; it evolves as the client responds. The plan page allows selection of up to five protocols per session, with slot six reserved for flexible or advanced options (alpha theta, AGS, etc.). The next wave of sessions should progressively test the most promising options, with careful attention to the client’s subjective experience.
Ethical and motivational considerations are central. Open-ended questions, careful monitoring of the client’s subjective experience, and collaboration with the client’s support network help ensure meaningful, tolerable progress rather than forcing an outcome that may overwhelm the client.
The overarching philosophy emphasizes functional diversity: brains operate with different patterns and strengths. The goal is to increase the client’s operating range while respecting their unique neural style, rather than pushing toward a normative template.
If you’d like, I can generate a condensed one-page cheat sheet with the key bands, suggested targets, and the decision flow (maps → histograms → analysis → options → plan) to use as a quick study aid for the exam.