LENS Therapy: Low Energy Neurofeedback System

The LENS has been successfully applied to central nervous system functioning problems, such as symptoms of traumatic brain injury, stroke rehabilitation, fibromyalgia, depression and other mood and anxiety disorders, attention, hyper-activity, explosiveness/anger, and learning problems. Controlled studies on the LENS have been and are being conducted. Several university and medical human subjects review committees have reviewed the LENS treatment and have found it to be “minimally invasive.”

LENS involves measuring and recording electrical signals from the scalp, and using the frequencies of those signals to guide the speed of a feedback signal from a feedback unit. The recorded EEG signals influence the electromagnetic feedback. The feedback, in turn, changes the quantity and frequency of the recorded brainwave signals. The intensity of the field is less than a trillionth of a watt and is only in use for a few seconds during each session. For reference, a cellular telephone generates a signal millions of times greater than the power of the LENS feedback signal. The LENS low power electromagnetic field is lower than the field surrounding digital watches.  No instances of problems with the emissions from the feedback have ever been recorded. LENS is an FDA-certified Class II device.

Initial results from LENS are typically seen in 5-10 sessions, with the average number of sessions to achieve optimal functioning at around 15 - 20 sessions. Results can be seen quickly, often beginning within the first session, and  reports show they are lasting.

You must be medically stable to engage in this treatment. Please tell your Clinician if you have any changes in medication, but especially any changes that could affect your medical stability. At times, your medical stability may be increased by reducing your medication. Your Clinician will ask you to consult your physician in these instances.

Because people are individuals, success with the LENS is best predicted with a complete evaluation and the development of a treatment plan. The evaluation is done through an online assessment you will be asked to fill out. The assessment allows us to predict which symptoms will respond, and which may respond first. As with any treatment, there can be no guarantee of success in any particular instance. You are therefore invited to consent to be treated on the basis of this information. Before you give your consent to be treated, we want you to ask as many questions as are necessary for you to understand this process. Please continue to express your questions, observations, and concerns at any time during the treatment process.

The brainwave recording process involves the use of medical grade Nuprep skin prep gel, and a mild abrasive gel to clean the skin. After that, medical grade electrode Ten20 conductivity paste will be applied to ear clip sensors and attached to both ears to improve the quality of the recording. Two additional sensors will then be pressed to specific sites on your head and held there with a small amount of paste. 

No needles, shocks, skin penetrating, or other invasive procedures are used. The equipment assesses a client's brainwaves – extremely faint electrical signals measured at discrete locations on the scalp. After a short assessment of the nature of these brainwaves, the equipment then generates and disburses extremely faint, battery-generated signals that the brain may respond to in beneficial ways. The speed of the feedback will be controlled by the signals picked up at the scalp. 

During the session, your eyes will be closed and you will be asked to sit quietly and rest. You will not be asked to think of anything in particular, or to learn anything. This is a passive process; your brain can detect the feedback, although you will not notice anything. 

Prior to the session, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about your symptoms. You will also be asked to rank your five most prominent symptoms before treatment and every few sessions. 

You will have as many sessions as you need, each feedback session lasting between one second and several minutes duration. The rest of the time will be spent, as needed, talking about what effects, if any, the feedback has had on you. These sessions will occur on a weekly or biweekly basis. 

It is difficult to predict how many LENS sessions will be required. The following estimates are based on past experience. Some clients have needed fewer sessions; others have occasionally required a few more: 

• If your problem came on suddenly after a life of high functioning and you are comfortable with the longer periods of feedback, you can expect 10 – 15 sessions. This is only an average range; however, your treatment may require more or less than the average figures. 
• If you have a lifelong history of multiple problems and are very sensitive to the feedback, you may need 20+ sessions. 
• In very few circumstances, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, very severe head injury, or genetic physiological disturbances, the number of sessions can easily be in the hundreds of sessions to keep achieving increased function.

LENS tends to make functioning clearer and easier. It has increased cognitive functioning (memory, concentration, attention, ability to learn and to read, organizing, and sequencing), motivation (initiating and completing activities), and motor skills (coordination, balance, grace, recovery from paralysis). It has an elevated mood as an antidepressant. It has improved sleep at night, and reduced sleepiness during the day. It has increased energy and stamina. It has reduced seizures, explosiveness, irritability, spasticity, and background anxiety. It has reduced the symptoms of migraine and fibromyalgia pain, as well as Restless Legs problems. 

Although no significant negative side effects have been observed so far, the non-significant ones that we have seen will be discussed with you by your LENS Clinician. Your understanding of them will help you work with us to provide successful treatment. The side effects sometimes seen with the LENS are in the form of temporary increases of the symptoms you already have. If you experience any side effects, let your LENS Clinician know so that he/she can work closely with you to adjust the dosage. This is done the same way your medications are adjusted by your physician.

You may discontinue treatment at any time for any reason. Should you wish to discontinue treatment, please inform your clinician. As your LENS provider It is important to me that you understand this process and feel comfortable asking for clarification about any concerns or questions you may have at any point during your treatment. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with your questions or concerns. I am available to respond to your communication either during your sessions or, if between sessions, by phone or text at (604) 683 2075 or email connect@kayefrosthunt.com.

Other forms of neurofeedback can have roughly the same effects and side effects as the LENS. No comparative studies have been conducted to permit objective evaluation of which is better, and under what conditions.