Pages and scenes from the book BEING IN CONTROL; the video, BEING IN CONTROL : Natural Solutions For ADHD, Dyslexia, and Test Anxiety; and the video GSR Biofeedback Techniques For The Natural ADHD Practitioner.
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Proposed objective physiological screening test for ADHD concentration problems.
interview with Judith Monk:
Proposed objective physiological measure ofGSR ( electro dermal activity) - Test of Relaxed Attention / Stress in ADHD
ADHD person's typical complaint-" I have ADHD and it sucks, but my twin brother doesn't have ADHD and doesn't even think its real. Strange? " Well the above graphs show it's real- but not what you were told or thought. See article below for new concept in ADHD tesing.
OpEdNews.com
Original Article at http://www.opednews.com/articles/life_a_jasonmar_060608_new_concept_in_testi.htm
June 8, 2006
New Concept in Testing and Helping ADHD using GSR Biofeedback
By Jason Alster
I would like to bring to your attention a new concept in ADD testing. An objective physiological measure of ADHD has been elusive. However, research by Jason Alster MSc has shown that when ADD persons try to sit still, do a boring task, or concentrate- they actually enter stress as measured by labile electro - dermal activity
(EDA , GSR ). Whereas the GSR was traditionally used to teach relaxation it was overlooked as a tool to teach relaxed concentration being dwarfed by the popular and successful neurofeedback.
Measuring electron flow in a circuit the body operates largely by a series of electrical impulses which have been shown to follow certain pathways and measure changes in the electrical resistance or the ability of the tissue to conduct electricity. The GSR activity marker is positive in the majority of ADD clients tested. Once tested, then the GSR biofeedback may be used to improve the stress result with different techniques. A protocol using this valid objective physiological marker has just been published in a video- "Guide for GSR Biofeedback Techniques for the Natural ADHD Practitioner" (Amazon.com).
Using the GSR protocol only takes 10 minutes to perform. The test is valid for children as well as adults and helps parents determine if their ADHD children need intervention. The measure may then be used to match a personal technique protocol to the client depending on what type of technique helps improve the GSR from lability to stability during rest.
The GSR is measured as labile and steadily increases in amplitude when the ADHD child tries to sit quietly for 2 minutes. The GSR is then increasingly more labile during an eyes closed condition. This is in contrast to the GSR in anxiety where there is usually a decrease during a relaxing eyes closed baseline condition. In some instances- the GSR in ADHD is stable - however, will not return to baseline after prompted with a mild stimulus like noise. This shows that a symptom of ADHD when trying to sit quietly and concentrate -is acting like a stress-or for him her. This is not unlike the "disorientation" experienced in dyslexics when trying to read.
Many ADHD clients- upon producing a stable GSR after a biofeedback assisted relaxed concentration technique - will claim when asked-that this is the first time ever they felt what relaxation /concentration is. This may be compared to someone not having ever tasted a tasty food like an orange. You can't describe it to them. However, once they taste it- they know what it feels like. So too, it turns out, with the sense of relaxation, focus in ADHD. When asked to compare this sensation with the sensation of an ADHD medication- the majority of ADHD people will say that the natural biofeedback induced sensation is better than medication- and medication does not "feel well" even though it does help them concentrate. This shows that medication like Ritalin has a different mode of action working to help ADHD than natural and behavioral methods.
The relaxation and relaxed concentration response is natural and seems to be lacking in many people with ADHD. These responses might have been lacking at birth or were compromised with an unbalancing childhood medical problem (Ears nose and throat, asthma,-sleep disorder-medical operation). However, once re-learned or acquired - the ADHD person can re-produce this
"sensation" upon need. Like learning art or music- some are born with it- but all can learn to be artists or musicians with the proper instruction. This objective physiological test is easy to replicate only with the most sensitive /graphic GSR biofeedback equipment(like Thought Stream or Mindlife for example). My hope is that this simple and valid measure will be used as a future screening test in ADHD clinics and schools as well as by biofeedback practitioners helping ADHD.
A bit of the history in how this method was developed. I began treating children with ADD quite unexpectedly in 1991. As a biofeedback practitioner and part of an anxiety clinic in Tel Aviv, Israel, I had absolutely no experience in treating children but was doing quite well with adults suffering from stress disorders and teenagers who had test anxiety and social phobias. The biofeedback clinic had just opened and each type of patient was a new experience.
With medical- technological training in neuro-electrodiagnostics and sleep/wake disorders, I was more into the neurological and psycho- physiological disorders. A child psychologist working with me wanted to try biofeedback on ADD. Then he had said that there was no treatment and no objective test for this poorly understood syndrome. The only remedy at the time was Ritalin although reports about EEG (electroencephalogram) neuro - biofeedback and Joel Lubar's research with Neurofeedback were just coming out (1991) demonstrating that ADHD can respond to a behavioral method. At first I found that EMG (testing muscle tension)was increased in ADHD and there was already a study showing that EMG biofeedback did not help in ADHD.
However, I found that found that GSR ( electrodermal resistance) was better and easier to use in ADHD than EMG. At the time there were no studies of GSR biofeedback for ADD- so I had to go it alone. After starting to treat a handful of children with biofeedback, the psychologist I was working with had to leave the unit and I had to suddenly take over his patients. All I knew then about ADD was from a television program showing a hyperactive child literally jump off the walls and I worried about what this child would do to the biofeedback equipment! I had absolutely no knowledge of learning disorders either. I mention this lack of knowledge for a reason. I had to begin treating ADD without a prior predisposition to what was written in the literature and had to see for myself what worked and fast.
On my very first ADD client I performed a regular biofeedback stress baseline for anxiety.
That is, I hooked the child up to galvanic skin resistance (GSR) sensors, muscle and peripheral temperature monitors, but not EEG. I had to start to treat ADD with what I knew and that is how to treat stress and anxiety. I was lucky. My very first patient's baseline EMG (electromyogram or muscle activity potential) showed that the more she sat quietly the EMG gained in amplitude over time. That is, sitting quietly was tense for her. I tried relaxation training and she improved her baseline in just 6 sessions and began to do better both at home and in school. This was not supposed to happen. Biofeedback in ADD was supposed to be a stubborn neurological problem that takes 40- 60 EEG biofeedback sessions to treat. Wanting to find an effective, alternative method to offer those young people and especially parents who wouldn't, or didn't want to use medication for ADHD. At least these children wouldn't be left untreated.
In my readings at the time, a number of avenues were being pursued in the treatment of ADD. Some of these were nutritional, sensory integration, guided imagery, art therapy, natural meditation, yoga, Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, chiropractic, and the use of aromatic oils. In biofeedback, animated computer games were just being introduced like Mindlife/Ultramind and Thought Stream.
I decided I could use each method and observe its effectiveness. I could try and develop an integrated and holistic approach matching the method to each child individually and determining the results by the GSR.
One of the first things that I found that can cause the GSR to become stable in ADD children and adults is holding a soft or smooth stone in your hand and studying a liquid water timer or sand clock. Other techniques include using the senses to relax like self massage, abdominal breathing, seated yoga, listening to a metronome, listening to a sea shell, guided imagery, smelling aromatic oils, and more.
Later, I found that by integrating accelerated learning techniques and study strategies such as speed reading, associative memory, mind mapping , and time management - children with ADHD and test anxiety began to reach their full potential and receive very high grades in school.
Included in the CD ROM video kit are the book BEING IN CONTROL, and the video BEING IN CONTROL:NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR ADHD DYSLEXIA AND TEST ANXIETY.
The videos play on Windows Media Player.
Authors Bio: Psychophysiologist,ADHD coach, learning specialist-electroneurodiagnostics, sleep wake research. Developed an efficient method (BEING IN CONTROL) of helping ADHD and test anxiety naturally using Multimodality Integrative Biofeedback, developed, a protocol for using and testing ADHD using GSR biofeedback. A biofeedback practitioner in Israel since 1990. BA-psycho/biology, Yeshiva University, NY, NY. 1997, MSc Technion Institute Of Technology 1990, Medical Sciences, Neurophysiology.
Also by Jason Alster - Techniques for increasing artistic ability, and developing an artistic mode of seeing for youngsters of all ages. Creative Painting For The Young ArtistFor more info on the book , my gallery of impressionistic art, and creative painting workshops visit
Also, excerpts from the new CD ROM Anyone Can Improve Their Handwriting.
http://jasonalster.googlepages.com/creativityandrelaxedconcentration
Testimonials
RESUME'Jason Mark Alster M.Sc., R.Psg.T, EEG.T
Birthplace- Hartford Connecticut, USA.
www.jasonalster@gmail.com/home
860-5939908
jasonalster@gmail.com
http://jasonalster.googlepages.com/home
Professions: Biofeedback Practitioner , Neuro-electrodiagnostics Technology (EEG, EVP), Polysomnographic Technology, Psycho-physiologist, Peak Performance Coach, Art Instructor, Special Education, Learning Strategies , Life and Wellness Coach.
Work and professional experience. After completing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in biology and education at the Yeshiva University N.Y, I trained at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital EEG neuro-electrodiagnostics program to become a certified EEG technologist (1979) and also worked at the New York Psychiatric Center studying sleep disorders in psychiatric patients. Immediately after completing the program I had begun employment at the College of Medicine and Dentistry N.J.( 1979) Neurology department as chief EEG technologist. My responsibilities included: Performing EEG, Brain auditory and visual Evoked Potential testing, and sleep/wake recordings. In 1982 I joined the NYU Medical Center Respiratory department and clinical research unit to perform research on sleep wake breathing disorders and were the first American team to develop CPAP technology.
In !984 I made Aliya to Israel, completed Ulpan in Kfar Sava, and Gadna Military service for Olim. In 1984, I began employment at the Technion Sleep Research Lab as chief research technologist performing research and sleep recording scoring criteriaon periodic leg movements of sleep (PLMS) , actigraphic sleep motion technology,spectral analysis sleep recordings, and sleep perception studies in insomnia.In 1991 I completed a master thesis at the Technion Institute of Technology in conjunction with the Rambam Medical Center department of Neurosurgery. By using my experience in integrating medical technologies, I combined multimodality testing to increase prognostic capability in comatose patients as well as compare the sleep of coma to normals. Subjective Coma Scale, brain evoked potentials, spectral EEG recordings, and circadian temperature rhythms were combined to develop a high prognostic capability. Parts ofthe results of this study weresoon replicated and I received the well known Carskadon Award for Exemplary Sleep Research.
In 1991, I was part of the team that set up the Biofeedback unit at the Tel-Aviv Day Mental Health Unit at Ramat Chen ( 1991-1995) in association with the anxiety clinic. Work there was done on biofeedback assisted relaxation therapy in PTSD, insomnia, psychiatric and anxiety disorders, and ADHD. Concurrently, I was associated with the Noise Hazard Institute in the Israel Medical Corps ( 1990-1997) under the direction of Dr. Joseph Attias. As well as the Sleep Research Clinic at Shiba Medical Center ( 1992-1994). My main duties were research on event related brain potentials, sleep disturbance in tinnitus, biofeedback treatment of tinnitus, and biofeedback treatment of stuttering. I was the first to classify polysomnographic data in sleep disturbance in tinnitus disorder. In 1997 I joined the Professional Army Psychiatric Unit as reserve duty behavioral therapist- till this day. ( Machon Keva). I am also part of MALSHA the psychiatric army unit involved in emergency battle trauma.In 1995 I was employed in Maccabi Alternative Medicine Health system as well as Hillel Yafe Medical Center Alternative medicine department. At this time I have learned to integrate alternative treatments with biofeedback. In 1996, I have also opened a private biofeedback clinic in Zichron Ya’acov, and Ra’anana. My main accomplishments at the clinic were to identify what I claim is the first objective and simple physiological measure of concentration in ADHD (using GSR )and to develop a unique natural/ behavioral multimodality integrated treatment of ADHD named Multimodality Integrated Biofeedback Therapy. This therapy integrates animated biofeedback games with yoga, meditation, proper nutrition, and accelerated learning skills. MIBT has an extremely high success rate and relatively small number of treatment sessions and is what I claim is the first natural ADHD treatment with better than medication results for most. Parts of MIBT are also used successfully in the treatment of stuttering ( stuttering has recently been shown to have a similar etiology to ADHD) . Many of the tools developed in MIBT have been published in the first graphic self help book for ADHD and dyslexia children BEING IN CONTROL ( 1999) . This book has received excellent reviews. In the field of special education and creativity I have also published a book on art creativity and teaching art for the dysgraphic person ( 2003) Creative Painting For The Young Artist. Now( 2006) I have just published a video BEING IN CONTROL:Natural Solutions For ADHD Dyslexia and Test Anxiety and Guide for GSR Biofeedback for the Natural ADHD Practitioner..
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Professional societies and affiliations- past and present..
Israel Biofeedback Association,;American Society of Neuroelectro-diagnostic technologies; Association of Polysomnographic Technologists( ASET); American Association for Applied Psychophysiology Self Regulationand Biofeedback (APSB); BNI – Business Networking Israel.
Awards: Carskadon Award for Exemplary Sleep Research.
Education and work experience
2007- Hartford Hospital - Neurodiagnostics and sleep wake health
2006- Relaxing Sights and Sounds of Natural Israel – CD video
2006- Guide to GSR Biofeedback for the Natural ADHD PractitionerCD-video
2006- Natural Solutions For ADHD Dyslexia Test AnxietyCD-Video)
2006-1996 Established-Center for Biofeedback, Peak Performance,
and Learning Strategies- Zichron Yacov, Israel
2006-1999- Rainbow Cloud Publications to self publish instructional information
2003- 1997 Machon Keva - Israel Medical Corps –Behavioral therapistfor army staff
2002-1996Maccabi -Israel national Health Service Natural Medicine division (MERAV)- biofeedback specialist
1997-1990 Noise Hazards and Brain Research Institute Israel Medical Corps-research
2003-1995 Hillel Yafe Medical Center Alternative Medicine division – biofeedback specialist 1995- 1991 Tel Aviv Day Mental Health Center-anxiety clinic biofeedback specialist
1994-1992 Sheba Medical Center Sleep Research Unit-research
1991-1990 Master Science degree Technion Institute of Technology-Medical School
1989-1984 Sleep Research Lab Technion Institute of Technology-research
1984Marva- Gadna youth service program
1984Ulpon school Kefar Saba and Kibbutz ulpon Teldor
1983-1982 Liscensed Real Estate Agent New Jersey
1984-1982 NYU Medical Center Clinical Research Unit- sleep lab technologist
1982-1979 College of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey Medical Center-
Chief neuro-electrodiagnostics technologist
1978-1977 Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center EEG technology program
1977-1975 Yeshiva University, NY- BA Psychology/biology, ( psychobiology) minor/education
1974-1973 Johns Hopkins College Maryland
1973-1970 Mechina High School Ner- Israel, Maryland
1970-1960 Hebrew Academy, Hartford Connecticut
Publications and Key Professional Presentations
2006- Presentation to ESTI the Israel Tourette society
2006-Video- Relaxing Sights & Sounds of Natural Israel
2006-Publication video-Guide to GSR Biofeedback Techniques
for the Natural ADHD Practitioner
2006-Publication Video- Natural Solutions For ADHD Dyslexia and Test Anxiety
2003-Author and publisher- Creative Painting for The Young Artist. Rainbow Cloud
2002- Author and publisher-Being In Control:Natural Techniques for Increasing Your Potential
and Creativity for Success in School. Rainbow Cloud Publications.
2001- Integrated Biofeedback as a Natural Treatment of ADHD: Long Term Outcome
The Promised Childhood Congress Tel Aviv
2000- Multimodality Integrated Biofeedback as a Treatment for ADHD- The 2nd
international conference on ADHD/LD and the Jewish World- Jerusalem
1999 Presentation- Multimodality Biofeedback in ADHD- ESRA- Israel ADHD society
1999- Being In Control- Hebrew version. Rainbow Cloud Publications.
1997- Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorders in children with biofeedback- ADHD
conference – Organizer- Haifa University.
1997-Multicomponent biofeedback for achieving lower arousal in insomna ALSTER J, OREN H, WOLMER L, RON S. Sleep Research 1997; 26: 539.
http://www.websciences.org/cftemplate/NAPS/archives/indiv.cfm?ID=19979675
1996-The role of Biofeedback in Potentiating Health and the Crisis of the Immune System., Israel
1996- Multimodality Biofeedback in the Treatment of ADHD: A case study.
9th Conference for Child Development Centers. Zichron Ya’acov,
1995- Bizarre dreams following elective surgery; dreams can reflect a biological state.
Sleep Research, v 24,128.
1994-EMG and GSR biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy for primary and
secondary insomnia. Sleep Research v 23, 186.
1994-Biofeedback in the diagnosis of of anxiety, sleep disorder, and psychosomatic
disorders. Anxiety Disorders conference- Herziliya, Israel
1993-Psychological profile of help-seeking and non-help-seeking tinnitus patients.
Scand Audiology.V 24, 13-18.
1993- Sleep disturbance associated with chronic tinnitus. Biological Psychiatry. V 34;
84-90.
1993-Sleep complaint in chronic tinnitus. Sleep Research, V 22, 298.
1993Density spectral array, evoked potentials, and temperature rhythms in the
evaluation and prognosis of the comatose patient. Brain Injury, v 7, 191-208.
1992-Spectral array recording of sleep and coma: Validation and technique.
American J EEG Technology. V, 32, 65-85, 1992.
1991- The effect of moderate heat stress on auditory brain stem evoked response in
man. J therm, Biology. V, 16, , 5 pp249-253.
1991-Spectral array, evoked potentials, and temperature rhythms in the prognosis of
the comatose patient. Sleep Research V 20,
1990-PMS during daytime sleep. Journal of Polysomnographic Technology -winter
1990- Artifacts and pattern recognition in wrist actigraphy . Journal of
PolysomnographicTechnology – spring
1989-Actigraphically based automatic bedtime sleep-wake scoring: validity and
clinical applications. Ambulatory Monitoring, v2
1988-Spontaneous awakenings within sleep in EDS- fatigued patients and normals.
Annals ofBasic Human Research, V. sleep
1988-Screening for sleep disorders by actigraph recordings. Sleep Research, V. 18,
1988- Spontaneous Awakening within sleep in EDS fatigued patients and normals
9th European Congress of Sleep Research- Jerusalem
1987- Periodic Leg Movements of Sleep with and without arousals –implications for
scoring the PMS record. 5th International Congress of Sleep Research
Copenhagen
1987- Computerized assessment of sleep time by wrist actigraph. Sleep Research,
V 17.
1987 – Periodic leg movements in sleep with and without arousals – implications for
scoring the PMS record. Sleep Research V 16.
