Researchers from the University of Göttingen in Germany sought to validate claims from small, insufficiently controlled studies that neurofeedback (NF) reduces inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In a multi-site, randomized, controlled study using a computerized attention skills training protocol for the control condition, 102 children with ADHD, aged 8 to 12 years, were included in the study.

Children were randomized to the intervention - 36 sessions of NF training - or the control condition – 36 sessions of computerized attention skills training - within two blocks of about four weeks each. 

Question:

Do you have any suggestions for guided meditation or affirmation resources for adults with attention deficit disorder? ADD isn't limited to children, and not all of us have physical hyperactivity.  Many women with ADD have the inattentive subtype where our minds are restless and we have difficulty focusing.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts and recommendations.

Donna

A grateful parent posted this paean to the Sleep Fairy, and it’s amazingly similar to what my niece told me years ago – she’s the one who put me onto this phenom of a snooze-inducing CD for kids.

She had a child with night terrors who was too scared to fall asleep.  Nights were hellish for the whole family for months – not to mention the cranky, exhausted days that followed.

They tried all sorts of things, but to no avail. Then a friend suggested she try this CD, and it was like blessed magic fairy dust. Suddenly they had a sleeping child. It was right away. 

My husband has had M.S. for over 20 years. He is confined to a wheel chair most of the time, and he suffers from debilitating fatigue.  At the suggestion of a support group friend, he started using yoga videos.  I personally thought this would be a waste of time, but he found Carol Dickman’s yoga especially helpful – both the Seated Yoga and the Bed Top Yoga.
I’m delighted to have been wrong.  This practice has done him a world of good.  He has more energy and strength, and his mood is decidedly better.  It’s great to see his spirits so lifted.  

I’m asking you to post this, to let others know about the benefits of yoga, as it is not something one would necessarily think of for someone with debilitating fatigue in a wheelchair.

John’s Wife

Hello, everyone.

Two new studies – possibly three – have been funded and are being launched to study the impact of guided imagery on sleep disturbances and insomnia. If the data reflects the feedback we’ve been getting, these studies should produce some awesome outcomes. Time will tell.  (Actually, in recent years we’ve noticed that more people order our Healthful Sleep imagery than anything else, outselling even our popular Weight Loss CD. ) 

I want to take a minute to commend Kaiser Permanente for offering free guided imagery to its members. Currently KP lets members download imagery for Chemotherapy, Radiation, Surgery, Healthful Sleep, Weight Loss, Pain, Cancer, Pregnancy & Childbirth and Menopause. Kaiser was the first HMO to use and recommend our imagery, way back in 1991, and they continue to lead the field by creating web based tools for their members to use. Many kudos to David Sobel MD  and Harley Goldberg DO  for making this happen.

Researchers from the University of Bielefeld in Germany compared the efficacy of two different treatments for children in a refugee camp in Sri Lanka with severe PTSD, in the acute aftermath of the Tsunami of 2004.

Thirty-one children were randomly assigned to one of two pragmatic, short-term interventions, delivered by trained local counselors: either 6 sessions of Narrative Exposure Therapy for children (KIDNET) or six sessions of meditation-relaxation (MED-RELAX).

I am a recovering PTSD and substance abuse survivor who now has 1.5 years of sobriety. I have also been nightmare free, relatively panic attack free, and flashback free for about a year, after 15 years of personal hell.

For this, I credit my compassionate and loving therapist most, but I feel the tools you've created and taught have been a Godsend.

Well, with my AA participation, I was asked to tell my story in the woman's prison. Afterwards, a number of the women shared that they too are experiencing nightmares on a daily basis, secondary to chronic abuse.

Well, imagine my surprise when two practitioners of Healing Touch (there’s a good definition of this modality here) said hi at last week’s annual HT conference in Tucson where I was speaking, and mentioned they were involved with a PTSD study that will eventually include over 200 recently returned troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.  They’re testing the effects of a combination of guided imagery and Healing Touch on the symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Although they’re not at liberty to disclose results yet, it was clear that this combination was exceeding expectations and delivering dramatic results with, in the parlance, an unlikely bunch of Marine grunts.

Question:
First I wanted to say thank you for your work! I use your General Wellness, MS, Stress and Healthful Sleep cds frequently. My question has to do with anxiety. I am seeing a doc for meds, but I still have some breakthrough anxiety especially, at stressful times and while menstruating.

I recently purchased the Panic Attacks cd, thinking the calming and feeling secure images would help. When I received it I started having second thoughts. Before I open it, would this be helpful to me? I saw that you do recommend the Stress cd to people with anxiety. Thank you
Joyce