Brain Harmonics, IQ and Research

A study conducted by Dr. Siegfried Othmer, an international leader in the field of neurofeedback and brainwave training, led to the conclusion that brainwave training has significant and strong effects on IQ. On average, individuals experienced a 23% increase in IQ as a result of brainwave entrainment. Individuals that began brainwave training with IQ levels that were less than 100 have been shown to enjoy IQ gains of 33 points, in addition to significant improvements in reading comprehension, memory related tasks and logic handling abilities. A year later, a follow up with those involved in the study found major improvements in self concept, creativity and concentration to be rampant. His research can be found here.

Another and similar research study was conducted by Michael Taney who found that brainwave entrainment yielded IQ gains of 19 points (on average) for those who used the technology. A study by Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D also found that college students who used brainwave training technology drastically out performed those that did not in both academic tasks and by GPA.
Noteably, an M.D. associated with Dr. Siegfried Othmer based in North Carolina used brainwave training to treat a boy with an IQ of 70 who was labeled as mildly retarded. A year later this boy was retested and the improvements were startling; he scored 60% higher with an IQ of 112. This specific case is consistent with a myriad of similar cases that have been documented with children with sub 90 IQ scores. Dr. Siegfried Othmer says that “brainwave training clearly facilitates the organization of mental functioning so that the child can exhibit his native intelligence. The results are so striking that they must compel us to revisit the whole issue of whom we are calling mentally retarded.”

Other research materials in relation to brainwave training and IQ can be found through the consultations below:

"Academic Performance Enhancement with Photic Stimulation and EDR Feedback." Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D., John Jordy, M.Ed., Helen Kogan Budzynski, Ph.D., Hsin-Yi Tang, M.S., and Keith Claypoole, Ph.D.

"Exceptional Results with \'Exceptional Children" Lynda Thompson, Ph.D. and Michael Thompson, M.D., Journal Of NeuroTherapy

Electroencephalographic Biofeedback of SMR and Beta for Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorders in a Clinical Setting, Lubar, J. O., and J.F. Lubar. Biofeedback and Self Regulation 9, no. 1 (1984) 1-23

Righting the Rhythms of Reason: EEG Biofeedback Training as a Therapeutic Modality in a Clinical Office Setting. Tansey, M.A., Medical Psychotherapy 3 (1990): 57-68

"EEG Alpha Rhythm Frequency and Intelligence in Normal Individuals." Anoukhin, A., Intelligence, 23: 1-14

"EEG Average Frequency and Intelligence." Giannitrapani, D. (1969)., Electroencephalography & Clinical Neurophysiology, 27, 480-486.

"Differences in EEG Alpha Activity Related to Giftedness." Jausovec, N. (1996)., Intelligence, 23, 159-173.

Intelligence, Academic Achievement, and EEG Abnormalities in Hyperactive Children, Am J Psychiatry 131:4, April 1974, James H. Satterfield, M.D., Dennis P. Cantwell, M.D., Ronald E. Saul, M.D., Alvin Yusin, M.D.

Exceptional Results with 'Exceptional Children', Lynda Thompson, Ph.D. and Michael Thompson, M.D., Journal Of NeuroTherapy

New Visions School NeuroTechnology Replication Project 2000 - 2001, Michael Joyce
Electroencephalographic Biofeedback of SMR and Beta for Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorders in a Clinical Setting, Lubar, J. O., and J.F. Lubar. Biofeedback and Self Regulation 9, no. 1 (1984) 1-23

Righting the Rhythms of Reason: EEG Biofeedback Training as a Therapeutic Modality in a Clinical Office Setting. Tansey, M.A., Medical Psychotherapy 3 (1990): 57-68

EEG Training for ADHD and Learning Disorders, Othmer, S & Othmer, S.F., March, 1989
Attention deficit disorder. Othmer, S. (1998). EEG Spectrum Training Syllabus. Volume 3. Encino, CA: EEC Spectrum.

EEG and behavioral changes in a hyperactive child concurrent training of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR). A preliminary report. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1, 293-306.

Lubar, J.F., Shabsin, H.S., Natelson, S.E., Holder, G.S., Whitsett, S.F., Pamplin, W.E., and Krulikowski, D.I. (1981).

The Physiological Response to "Beta Sweep" Entrainment, Gontgovsky, S., Montgomery, D., Proceedings AAPB Thirteenth Anniversary Annual Meeting (1999)

Discourse on the development of EEG diagnostics and biofeedback for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Lubar, J. F. (1991)., Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 16, 201-225.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of EEG neurofeedback training for ADHD in a clinical setting as measured by changes in T.0.V.A. scores, behavioral ratings, and WISC-R performance. Lubar, J. F., Swartwood, M. 0., Swartwood, J. N., & O'Donnell, P. FL (1995). Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 20, 83-99.

Quantitative analysis of EEG in boys with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder: Controlled study with clinical implications. Mann, C. A., Lubar, J. E, Zimmerman, A. W., Miller, C. A., & Muenchen, R. A. (1992). Pediatric Neurology, 8,30-36.

Intellectual, auditory and photic stimulation and changes in functioning in children and adults. Russell, H. L. (1997). Biofeedback, 25(1), 16-17, 23, 24.

A pilot study of the effect of 18 Hz audio visual stimulation (AVS) on attention and concentration symptoms and on quantitative EEG (QEEG) in long-term chronic fatigue (CFS).Trudeau, D. L., Moore, J., Stockley, H., & Rubin, Y. (1999). Journal of Neurotherapy 3~4), 76

A controlled study of the effects of neurofeedback training on IQ and EEG patterns for ADD subjects. Utter, C. P. (1996). Unpublished manuscript. College of Wooster.

Brain metabolism in teenagers with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Zametkin, A. I, Liebenauer, L. L., King, A. C., Minunkas, D. V., Herscovitch, P., Yamada, E. M., & Cohen, R. M. (1993). Archives of General Psychiatry, 50, 333-340.