BCIA Continuing Education Posts

The most pressing clinical issue surrounding fast alpha is its frequent misclassification, particularly when spectral peaks in the 18–19 Hz range are erroneously interpreted as beta spindling, pathological fast activity, or early signs of drug effects.

We wish clinicians knew that OIRDA is not an epileptiform discharge. It does not reflect hyperexcitability or paroxysmal depolarization, and in isolation, it is not a seizure pattern.

The idea that the brain might not just glow but use this glow as part of its signaling has remained speculative—until now.

Before a diagnosis of a mental disorder can be made, the clinician must rule out that the symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition.

Benzodiazepines vary widely in EEG and clinical effects—Subtypes differ by half-life and receptor affinity, influencing sedation, rebound symptoms, and cortical modulation.

Antidepressants, particularly those that are highly activating or serotonergically potent, may be the worst choice in patients with SEB, IEDs, or focal abnormalities.

Reduced alpha rhythms in PTSD are thought to be involved in poor excitatory/inhibitory balance in the brain.

The Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) is introducing a new performance-focused certification designation.

Dijkstra and colleagues identified a specific neural mechanism that our brains use to distinguish the vivid world of our imagination from the tangible reality we perceive through our senses.

Dr. Heidi Hillman’s (2025) study explored the application of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback to reduce anger in autistic adolescents.

Used responsibly, the qEEG enhances interpretation; used in isolation, it risks misrepresentation.

Small-N designs are particularly powerful when the treatment effect is large and immediate, allowing researchers to infer causality with confidence.

The goal of this post is to help you think like a scientist when it comes to evaluating questionable claims.

To support a causal claim, a study must meet three essential criteria: covariance, temporal precedence, and internal validity.

Interrogating association claims means asking three core questions: Were the variables measured well (construct validity)? Can the results be generalized to other populations (external validity)? And is the association statistically strong, significant, and precise (statistical validity)?

The four big validities offer a comprehensive toolkit for evaluating psychological research. Construct validity ensures that variables are accurately measured or manipulated. External validity tells us whether the results generalize. Statistical validity ensures the numbers are trustworthy. Internal validity confirms that cause-and-effect relationships are legitimate.

Association claims are foundational to psychological research because they help us identify variables that are connected and warrant further investigation. While they cannot prove causality, they provide essential groundwork for asking deeper questions.