What do my brain waves say about me?
Well that is to catch you attention. But this piece of research, by Mannson et al of the Karolinska Institutet, also caught my attention.
And what was it about?
It was about predicting therapy success with brain wave variability
What is brain wave variability?
This is the variation in your brain waves as you sit and do nothing. Your brain is fluctuating all the time as your mind wanders. Previously many researchers had just seen this as noise in the background but it seems to be a useful marker.
A marker of what?
Well in this study they measured the success of therapy outcomes for those going through treatment for anxiety. This was using the well-known method of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Participants had their brain waves measured while doing nothing and while looking at emotional faces.
And what happened?
Well, those who had greater brain wave variability responded best to the treatment. This could be measured after only three minutes.
So you can predict success of therapy with this?!
Yes, seems so. After only three minutes! Obviously more research needs to be done.
