Post by healthy11 on Oct 25, 2016 8:32:17 GMT -5
from David Rabiner, PhD; Research Professor at Duke University and www.helpforadd.com :
I am writing to let you know about a new approach for practicing and training attention skills that I have been working on for the past 2 years. It is called Nervanix Insight and employs neurofeedback-based attention training in a new way. The description below is long, but I want to include enough information so that you can really understand how it works. If you have an interest in attention training, I expect that you will find this to be of interest.
Background - I became interested in attention training after research conducted by myself and others that documented a strong predictive link between attention problems and poor academic achievement. Relative to other behavior problems, early attention difficulties are a stronger predictor of lower school grades, lower achievement test scores, and even lower high school graduation rates. You can find a review of a study I recently published on this issue at www.helpforadd.com/2016/july.htm
My colleagues and I also found that although traditional academic interventions such as tutoring work well for children without attention problems, they are much less effective for children with attention difficulties - see www.helpforadd.com/2005/september.htm.
This prompted me to explore programs that could help develop and enhance children's attention skills andI was surprised to find how little work had been don. It was clear to me, however, that the nonmedical approach for developing attention skills with the strongest empirical support was neurofeedback.
Neurofeedback and it's limitations - Neurofeedback is an approach to treating attention difficulties in which individuals learn to produce EEG activity that is consistent with a focused, attentive state. This is done by collecting EEG data from individuals as they view stimuli on a computer screen. Their ability to control the stimuli, for example, keeping the smile on a smiley face, depends on maintaining an EEG state consistent with focused attention. Neurofeedback proponents argue that this training generalizes to produce better attention during academic and related tasks. You can find a review I wrote several years ago of relevant studies at www.helpforadd.com/2014/april.htm
Although the research support for neurofeedback has grown, a practical issue has been that it can only be provided in a clinician's office with expensive equipment. However, with the recent introduction of less expensive wireless EEG headsets, using neurofeedback to practice attention skills in other settings has become feasible.
Another limitation of conventional neurofeedback has been that attention training has been provided during game-like activities that have little resemblance to typical academic tasks, e.g., reading. I thought it made good sense to incorporate neurofeedback-based attention training directly into reading and other academic tasks, exactly the kinds of tasks where remaining focused and attentive is so important. This is what motivated me to develop a new attention training approach to via neurofeedback that became Nervanix Insight.
How does Nervanix Insight differ from other neurofeedback applications and how does it work? - Unlike traditional neurofeedback approaches, Insight provides EEG-based attention training during the same activities children engage in at school or while doing homework, e.g., reading or doing other computer-based work activities. Because training occurs during regular school or work activities, the transfer of training benefits to tasks that really matter may be enhanced.
Using a wireless EEG headset and an android tablet, you open an E-reader app such as Kindle. As you read, Insight monitors EEG indicators of attention and provides feedback by adjusting the screen's brightness. When you are focused, the screen brightens. When your mind wanders, the screen dims. You thus receive continual feedback on your attention level as you read or do other work by ongoing changes in screen brightness. Although changes in screen brightness are initially distracting, one quickly adjusts to this and becomes engaged in the challenge of staying focused to keep the screen bright. Sessions can be paused and resumed as needed and Insight is easily used with any application the user prefers. Thus, anything you use your tablet for becomes an opportunity to practice and develop attention skills.
At the end of each session, you see your average attention score and how your attention fluctuated over time. These results are plotted to track change in attention with continued training.
To arrange to try Insight, go to www.helpforadd.com/insight2.htm - Or, continue reading to learn more about how Insight works and the benefits it offers.
Three different operating modes enhance the utility of Nervanix Insight - To enhance the utility of Insight, it can be used in 3 different modes: feedback mode, alert mode, and monitor mode.
In Feedback mode, screen brightness changes continuously in response to changes in EEG indicators of attention. Because this mode provides continuous feedback on attention level, it offers the most intensive attention training.
In Alert mode, the screen remains fully illuminated until the user's attention level drops below a preset threshold; when attention drops below this, the user is alerted by the screen dimming. This prevents reading or doing other work for extended unfocused periods and can help improve productivity.
Finally, Monitor mode provides no feedback but simply monitors your attention level and displays the results after the session. This helps track whether any gains that occurred during training are persisting.
What do you need to try Insight and what does it cost? - To use Insight, you need a wireless EEG headset from Neurosky, an android tablet that runs on the Kitkat operating system version 4.4 or any subsequent Android OS, the Insight application. There are 3 options for getting started.
Option 1 - Headset, tablet, and software bundle
With this option, you receive the headset and tablet with software preloaded - you'll just need to add any apps that you want to use Insight with. The cost is $30/month; after 10 months, you own the headset and tablet, and the monthly charge drops to $10. This provides continued use of the software and access to the portal where your data is securely stored for review. If you decide Insight is not for you, return the tablet and headset in good condition and you will no longer be billed.
You can also purchase this bundle for $300 which includes one year's access to the software.
Option 2 - Headset and software bundle
If you already own a tablet, or prefer to purchase one yourself, the monthly charge for the headset and software is $20; you own the headset after 10 months and the charge drops to $10. Return the headset in good condition at any time and you will no longer be billed.
Option 3 - Software only
If you prefer to purchase your own tablet and headset - available on Amazon - the monthly software charge is $10; or, you can opt for a 12-month license for $100. Tablets that work well are available for under $100 and the headset is currently under $100 on Amazon.
The advantage of Option 1 or 2 is that you can try the application for 30 days - sufficient time to see what you think - for $30 or less.
Next steps - My co-developers and I are working with a company called Nervanix to help distribute and support this application. At www.helpforadd.com/insight2.htm you can indicate your interest in being contacted to learn more. You will then hear shortly from one of my colleagues at Nervanix to discuss whether and how you would like to start.
At this point, we want potential users to have the chance to speak with someone who knows the product very well, rather than using typical online ordering, so that you will fully understand what you are receiving and how to use it.
Be aware that although Insight should work equally well for children and adults, children younger than 10 may have trouble with the headset fitting properly. I thus don't recommend it at this time for younger children.
Important - Although I find the research support for neurofeedback to be compelling, you should be aware that there are varied opinions on this in the field. I also want to be clear that no claims can yet be made that working with Insight will lead to persistent gains in attention skills. Even if this does not occur, however, I believe there is value in being prompted to refocus during reading or other computer-based work, which is exactly what Insight does. Especially for individuals who struggle to remain focused, this can help prevent long, unproductive reading or other work sessions because one is unfocused and not aware of it.
To get additional information about trying Insight, please visit www.helpforadd.com/insight2.htm
When you submit your request, you will be contacted by one of our colleagues at Nervanix who will provide additional information about Insight and arrange a trial if you are interested.
Please note that as a co-developer of Nervanix Insight, I have a financial stake in it's success which may bias my opinion of the app's utility.
Sincerely,
David Rabiner, PhD
Research Professor
Duke University
I am writing to let you know about a new approach for practicing and training attention skills that I have been working on for the past 2 years. It is called Nervanix Insight and employs neurofeedback-based attention training in a new way. The description below is long, but I want to include enough information so that you can really understand how it works. If you have an interest in attention training, I expect that you will find this to be of interest.
Background - I became interested in attention training after research conducted by myself and others that documented a strong predictive link between attention problems and poor academic achievement. Relative to other behavior problems, early attention difficulties are a stronger predictor of lower school grades, lower achievement test scores, and even lower high school graduation rates. You can find a review of a study I recently published on this issue at www.helpforadd.com/2016/july.htm
My colleagues and I also found that although traditional academic interventions such as tutoring work well for children without attention problems, they are much less effective for children with attention difficulties - see www.helpforadd.com/2005/september.htm.
This prompted me to explore programs that could help develop and enhance children's attention skills andI was surprised to find how little work had been don. It was clear to me, however, that the nonmedical approach for developing attention skills with the strongest empirical support was neurofeedback.
Neurofeedback and it's limitations - Neurofeedback is an approach to treating attention difficulties in which individuals learn to produce EEG activity that is consistent with a focused, attentive state. This is done by collecting EEG data from individuals as they view stimuli on a computer screen. Their ability to control the stimuli, for example, keeping the smile on a smiley face, depends on maintaining an EEG state consistent with focused attention. Neurofeedback proponents argue that this training generalizes to produce better attention during academic and related tasks. You can find a review I wrote several years ago of relevant studies at www.helpforadd.com/2014/april.htm
Although the research support for neurofeedback has grown, a practical issue has been that it can only be provided in a clinician's office with expensive equipment. However, with the recent introduction of less expensive wireless EEG headsets, using neurofeedback to practice attention skills in other settings has become feasible.
Another limitation of conventional neurofeedback has been that attention training has been provided during game-like activities that have little resemblance to typical academic tasks, e.g., reading. I thought it made good sense to incorporate neurofeedback-based attention training directly into reading and other academic tasks, exactly the kinds of tasks where remaining focused and attentive is so important. This is what motivated me to develop a new attention training approach to via neurofeedback that became Nervanix Insight.
How does Nervanix Insight differ from other neurofeedback applications and how does it work? - Unlike traditional neurofeedback approaches, Insight provides EEG-based attention training during the same activities children engage in at school or while doing homework, e.g., reading or doing other computer-based work activities. Because training occurs during regular school or work activities, the transfer of training benefits to tasks that really matter may be enhanced.
Using a wireless EEG headset and an android tablet, you open an E-reader app such as Kindle. As you read, Insight monitors EEG indicators of attention and provides feedback by adjusting the screen's brightness. When you are focused, the screen brightens. When your mind wanders, the screen dims. You thus receive continual feedback on your attention level as you read or do other work by ongoing changes in screen brightness. Although changes in screen brightness are initially distracting, one quickly adjusts to this and becomes engaged in the challenge of staying focused to keep the screen bright. Sessions can be paused and resumed as needed and Insight is easily used with any application the user prefers. Thus, anything you use your tablet for becomes an opportunity to practice and develop attention skills.
At the end of each session, you see your average attention score and how your attention fluctuated over time. These results are plotted to track change in attention with continued training.
To arrange to try Insight, go to www.helpforadd.com/insight2.htm - Or, continue reading to learn more about how Insight works and the benefits it offers.
Three different operating modes enhance the utility of Nervanix Insight - To enhance the utility of Insight, it can be used in 3 different modes: feedback mode, alert mode, and monitor mode.
In Feedback mode, screen brightness changes continuously in response to changes in EEG indicators of attention. Because this mode provides continuous feedback on attention level, it offers the most intensive attention training.
In Alert mode, the screen remains fully illuminated until the user's attention level drops below a preset threshold; when attention drops below this, the user is alerted by the screen dimming. This prevents reading or doing other work for extended unfocused periods and can help improve productivity.
Finally, Monitor mode provides no feedback but simply monitors your attention level and displays the results after the session. This helps track whether any gains that occurred during training are persisting.
What do you need to try Insight and what does it cost? - To use Insight, you need a wireless EEG headset from Neurosky, an android tablet that runs on the Kitkat operating system version 4.4 or any subsequent Android OS, the Insight application. There are 3 options for getting started.
Option 1 - Headset, tablet, and software bundle
With this option, you receive the headset and tablet with software preloaded - you'll just need to add any apps that you want to use Insight with. The cost is $30/month; after 10 months, you own the headset and tablet, and the monthly charge drops to $10. This provides continued use of the software and access to the portal where your data is securely stored for review. If you decide Insight is not for you, return the tablet and headset in good condition and you will no longer be billed.
You can also purchase this bundle for $300 which includes one year's access to the software.
Option 2 - Headset and software bundle
If you already own a tablet, or prefer to purchase one yourself, the monthly charge for the headset and software is $20; you own the headset after 10 months and the charge drops to $10. Return the headset in good condition at any time and you will no longer be billed.
Option 3 - Software only
If you prefer to purchase your own tablet and headset - available on Amazon - the monthly software charge is $10; or, you can opt for a 12-month license for $100. Tablets that work well are available for under $100 and the headset is currently under $100 on Amazon.
The advantage of Option 1 or 2 is that you can try the application for 30 days - sufficient time to see what you think - for $30 or less.
Next steps - My co-developers and I are working with a company called Nervanix to help distribute and support this application. At www.helpforadd.com/insight2.htm you can indicate your interest in being contacted to learn more. You will then hear shortly from one of my colleagues at Nervanix to discuss whether and how you would like to start.
At this point, we want potential users to have the chance to speak with someone who knows the product very well, rather than using typical online ordering, so that you will fully understand what you are receiving and how to use it.
Be aware that although Insight should work equally well for children and adults, children younger than 10 may have trouble with the headset fitting properly. I thus don't recommend it at this time for younger children.
Important - Although I find the research support for neurofeedback to be compelling, you should be aware that there are varied opinions on this in the field. I also want to be clear that no claims can yet be made that working with Insight will lead to persistent gains in attention skills. Even if this does not occur, however, I believe there is value in being prompted to refocus during reading or other computer-based work, which is exactly what Insight does. Especially for individuals who struggle to remain focused, this can help prevent long, unproductive reading or other work sessions because one is unfocused and not aware of it.
To get additional information about trying Insight, please visit www.helpforadd.com/insight2.htm
When you submit your request, you will be contacted by one of our colleagues at Nervanix who will provide additional information about Insight and arrange a trial if you are interested.
Please note that as a co-developer of Nervanix Insight, I have a financial stake in it's success which may bias my opinion of the app's utility.
Sincerely,
David Rabiner, PhD
Research Professor
Duke University
