1 September 2011

Gearing Up for ISNR - Francois Dupont and Infiniti for The Learning Curve

Several representatives from the BFE will be on hand at the upcoming ISNR Conference - September 14-18, 2011 in Phoenix, AZ. Among them will be Francois Dupont, Ph.D.

At the Thought Technology Ltd.
Silver Sponsor Booths 11 & 20

Dr. François Dupont is a registered psychologist with competence in general, health, and rehabilitation psychology. In his private practice in Ottawa, he often combines bio/neurofeedback with techniques borrowed from cognitive-behavioural, dynamic-humanistic and experiential approaches. Involved with the BFE for more than a decade, he has developed software suites such as: Infiniti for The Learning Curve (TLC), Integrated Neurofeedback, and Monastra-Lubar Theta/Beta Assessment. His expertise as a clinician combined with his software knowledge make Francois an ideal contributor to BFE Software Suites.

I recently had a chance to speak to Francois about a number of neurofeedback software suites he has created. This post about Infiniti for The Learning Curve is the first in a 3-part series.

Sample screen from Infiniti for The Learning Curve

The first suite you created with the BFE is called Infiniti for The Learning Curve. It allows the Infiniti user to interface with Peter Van Deusen's TLC database. How did this come about? 
Peter Van Deusen’s TLC  assessment can be used with different hardware and software platforms, but for some time there was no link with the BioGraph Infiniti system. Since that is the equipment I’ve been using for a number of years, I offered to create the interface and that is how I came to create my first suite for the Biofeedback Foundation of Europe.

How is this suite beneficial to Infiniti users?
The Infiniti for The Learning Curve suite is especially beneficial to Biograph Infiniti users who want, for diverse reasons, to use an advanced EEG assessment without going for a formal 19 channel QEEG. The TLC approach uses regular encoders like ProComp Infiniti, ProComp2, Procomp 5, and even the older ProComp Plus to record a structured and thorough assessment of brain wave activity. This can be done with two channels, 4 channels or 6 channels of EEG, with or without physiology measures, depending on the encoder.

How does this assessment work?
One advantage that Biograph Infiniti has over other software is the ability to use a scripted session in which all the steps in the assessment are already programmed. The user simply reads the instructions on the screen and clicks a button to advance through the steps. You begin by recording with eyes closed, then with eyes open and then with a specific task such as reading. This sequence of steps is repeated the number of times necessary to end up with 18 sites of recording. For each sequence, the sensors are placed in different locations on the head and the task is different. Because it is a script, it’s as if someone is taking you by the hand and guiding you through the process. 

How is the data interpreted?
When you’re finished with the recordings, you can easily transfer the data into a very sophisticated Excel workbook, which is the core of Peter Van Deusen’s approach. In this file system you find different ways of presenting and analysing the EEG data recorded during the assessment. There are many maps, tables, graphs, and guidelines to help you make sense of the data. Everything is structured to help you decide where to put the sensors for training and which frequency bands you should train first.

Are there other benefits to using the TLC approach?
One obvious benefit of this approach is the price. A full QEEG system (hardware and software) is very expensive. With the TLC approach, you use the same encoder to do the assessment that you use to provide neurofeedback training. Many professionals serious about working in this field refer to the TLC assessment as being the next best thing to a full QEEG.

Coming Soon...
Part 2 - Francois Dupont and Integrated Neurofeedback
Part 3 - Suites Under Development

We hope you will stop by to meet Francois Dupont and learn more about the neurofeedback education offered in our Learn From the Best program. Not attending ISNR but want to learn more? We offer software, interactive online learning and home study programs. 

INFINITI FOR THE LEARNING CURVE SOFTWARE SUITE
Dr. Dupont's Infiniti for the Learning Curve software suite is available for direct download from the BFE Online Shop.

INFINITI FOR TLC ASSESSMENT ONLINE CLASS
Learn how to use the Infiniti for the Learning Curve software in a live interactive format.

TLC ASSESSMENT GRAND ROUNDS
If you are interested in learning more about the TLC approach, we are pleased to offer a series of online grand rounds sessions hosted by Peter Van Deusen. During the last series, Dr. Dupont was also on hand to offer his insights and to answer any technical questions that arose. ...


The Biofeedback Foundation of Europe provides education for experienced clinicians and researchers as well as for those just entering the field. 
Visit the BFE Online Shop to learn more. 


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