Ruth Olmstead, Ph.D.
Our original twelve proprietary MindSpa programs developed by recognized Auditory and Visual Stimulation (AVS) expert, psychologist Ruth Olmstead, Ph.D.
Published November, 2004, Dr. Olmstead's extensive research breaks exciting new ground in the treatment of learning disabled ADD / ADHD (attention deficit disorder / attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) children and adults. Please contact us for further information.
Dr. Olmstead Dissertation (85 pgs pdf)
Dr. Olmstead Oral Dissertation (11 pgs pdf)
Dr. Olmstead Tables
Dr. Olmstead has extensive experience treating children and adults diagnosed with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and a number of neurological disorders.
Dr. Olmstead is certified in the application of electro -encephalogram (EEG) biofeedback, and for more than twelve years has researched, developed, and published a number of specific intervention protocols in the application of AVS. Additionally, she trains licensed therapists in the clinical application of AVS.
Dr. Olmstead currently maintains a full-time practice in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. She is avaiable for paid personal private consultation by telephone or in person. Please contact us for further information.
An Interview with Dr. Olmstead
How does the MindSpa work?
MindSpa generally promotes three different types of change in the brain.
1) The MindSpa assists in re-regulation of brain wave activity through “entrainment”. Entrainment occurs as brainwave activity 'entrains' to, or follows the rate of flickering lights, slowing down or speeding up to match the rate of flickering in the light goggles, according to the selected program.
For example, the slower the rate of flickering light, the slower the brainwave frequency. Slower frequencies are necessary when we wish to relax or meditate. Faster frequencies are idealistic for promoting more alertness and energy. Many individuals, who experience sleeplessness or significant stress, may be experiencing brainwave irregularities.
MindSpa contains programs that will promote the re-regulation or normalization of brainwave activity by allowing the brainwaves to be re-regulated; just by following a steady, slower, regular rate of flickering light. Basically, the brainwaves follow or entrain to a steady, normal frequency and correct any irregularly frequencies.
2) Light stimulus provided by the MindSpa induces an increase in endorphins, and has been theorized to increase the production of other neurotransmitters. Endorphin is a neuropeptides that assists in mediating pain perception. Aside from decreasing pain, many studies have proven that increases in endorphin levels through “light stimulus" is helpful for individuals suffering with Seasonal Depressive Disorder (SAD). Increases in other neurotransmitters are related in increases in focus and improvements in concentration and cognitive abilities.
3) It is known that stimulus promotes increases brain activation and, I believe, in neuro-pathway growth. Theoretically, neuro-circuitry is no longer fixed and can be altered or increased in density. According to many studies, neurons can sprout more branches under stimulus, providing more surfaces to receive signals, indicating that new synapses can form. I believe that increases in test scores and cognitive abilities were a result of increases synaptic activity.
When and why did you develop it?
I heard about this technology in the late 1980's and decided to investigate its use on myself. As a child I had difficulty with attention and focus, and struggled in subjects such as math and reading comprehension. I still obtained good grades, but studying was a struggle and I spent twice as much time in these two subjects than my siblings.
When I heard about this technology, I had already completed the university with a degree in fine art and was working as an artist. I had heard that this technology really improved creativity, but also assisted problem solving and cognitive abilities as well. I thought that if I could just increase my "brain" skills to match my creative abilities, I could really change my life, and the possibilities of becoming a "creative genius' were an interesting prospect! (I laughed at the thought).
I must admit that during the use of that early device, I was amazed in the changes in myself after using it for about a month. I was actually fearful that I was becoming more "serious", which for an artist could be a very bad thing indeed. After much insight and careful thought, I discovered that I was not becoming more “serious”, I was just able to focus and think much more clearly. I had much better insight and problem solving abilities. Thus I was able to come up with solutions to problems that previously had eluded me completely. My life has changed completely ever since then.
I went back to the university to study psychology, to better equip myself in being able to assist others who have learning and other difficulties. I wanted to be able to develop a non drug intervention to help those who have difficulty with insight, focus, attention, problem solving, decision making, and academics (learning), to give those individuals a chance to become whatever they wanted to become, to basically assist others who feel limited in life by their difficulties, to achieve their goals.
What are the benefits of using the MindSpa - relaxation, better focus/attention, sleep problems, etc?
Studies have found that increasing the stimulus in the brain results in improved memory, focus, and concentration, problem solving and increased processing abilities. As brainwave activity is normalized and re-regulated, sleep disturbances decrease assisting in better memory retention. Increases in brain stimulation keep blood vessels healthier and improve all cognitive (brain) function. Learning is greatly enhanced. It additionally helps to decrease pain levels through increases in circulation, relaxation of muscle and body tension.
Who can the MindSpa assist and does it work for everyone?
Just as physical exercise is good for everyone, MindSpa is beneficial as it continues to stimulate brain abilities. Our brains start to decrease in brain weight and density after the age of 25. The rate in which your brain processes information, remembers, and performs in general starts to decline as well. As our world transforms into a much faster paced environment, our brains need to keep up in order to perform as effectively as the computer generated technology is demanding. Each of us can gain significant increases in all our cognitive functions to compete successfully in this ever challenging environment.
How does the MindSpa (and its benefits) compare with traditional forms of relaxation therapy, such as meditation?
Good question! MindSpa can assist those who have difficulty with meditation to fall more easily into a meditative state through the entrainment process. It still may take time for the "mind chatter" to cease, but the results are often much deeper and more relaxing. Many users report deeper meditative states, and experience conscious problem solving, as well as euphoric and deeply personal revelations and experiences.
Is the MindSpa more relevant to the needs of today's fast-paced society i.e. we need solutions and we need them now?
Our brains contain approximately 100 billion nerve cells, with each nerve cell being capable of processing up to 1,000 messages per second such as breathing, putting one foot in front of the other, forming words and thoughts etc..Our brains need constant nutrients and energy to even get us out of bed in the morning, much less see us through a day of work or school.
These billions of cells transmit information between the brain and the various systems of the body. Nerve cells use chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters to carry messages and communicate with other. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine which are essential for normal brain function including learning, thinking, memory, and other cognitive abilities.
Or is the appeal and benefit of the traditional methods like meditation partly in the journey i.e. they take time to learn and perfect?
I think this depends on the individual. Certainly is it important to learn to relax the body and be able to fall into deeply relaxed or meditative states at “will.” I believe that the skills taught by biofeedback professionals and others, as well as states reached easily with MindSpa assist an individual to be able to consciously and unconsciously control pain and stress levels by controlling the body’s physical response, is a bit different than the meditative abilities taught by yoga masters.
Those who strive to perfect the process of meditation are also practicing to obtain specific meditative states, and are undergoing a very personal spiritual journey. This process, much like the therapeutic process in counseling or psychology, cannot be rushed. However, I believe that MindSpa is a wonderful tool to obtain these states and experiences.
Can you explain auditory and visual stimulation in simple terms?
Auditory and visual stimulation (AVS) is a method of brain stimulation and brainwave "entrainment" or training, that has evolved from the study of biofeedback (a training procedure that can enable a person to alter bioelectrical and physiological responses) and brainwave activity, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG).
MindSpa provides stimuli to the brain through the ears and eyes by means of binaural tones (heard through the headphones) and the specially designed glasses inset with white light-emitting diodes (LED’s). The auditory and visual stimulation provided by the programs in the MindSpa are typically synchronized with each other.
The light emitting from the glasses, as well as the rate in which they flicker, affects the brain through the optic nerve and cause the brainwaves to "entrain," or match to the frequency of the various programs provided, depending on the preferred outcome. The method by which this "entrainment" occurs is known as Frequency Following Response (FFR). Unlike EEG biofeedback, where the object is for the user to deliberately try to calm or train brainwave activity, AVS-induced "entrainment" occurs directly to the brain without any conscious effort.
Here is a brief explanation of some of the brainwave states:
Beta brainwave frequencies, or brain states, are measured approximately between 13 and 40 hertz (Hz.), or cycles per second. This state represents our "waking" state of excitement or high alertness. This state, when predominant, results in external attention, but when paired with a stressful psychological stimulus, it can also result in feelings of anxiety.
Alpha frequencies are measured at approximately 8 to 12 Hz, and represent a relaxed state that is associated with external attention.
Theta is measured from approximately 4 to 8 Hz, and represents a deeply relaxed state of inward focus.
Delta is known as the “restorative sleep" state, and is measured at 0.5 to approximately 3 Hz.
Researchers have found that induction into higher brainwave states can increase brain activity, while the induction of lower brainwave states can reduce anxiety and hyperactivity. Brainwave entrainment within alpha states, for example, may allow for relaxation and a decreased stress response to occur by providing a slower and more relaxed brainwave state. A faster brainwave state produced by faster flickering of the LED lights can induce a higher brainwave state, and is theorized to provide enhanced brain stimulation, resulting in increased cognitive abilities.
A recent study found that higher frequencies may decrease symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, theorizing that this phenomenon may be similar to the paradoxical application of neuro-stimulant medication used by individuals to address hyperactivity, for example.
I believe you discovered AVS when searching for a solution to your own attention deficit disorder. How did it help you personally?
When I first began using the technology in the late 1980's, I noticed that I was able to complete a task without being distracted. I was also to think much more clearly, and multitask, if needed, far more effectively. My thinking was clearer, and I was able to erase any "I can’t’s" in my thinking. This is what I want in particular for all children, to erase the "I can't" thinking. I want everyone to have the opportunity to achieve anything they want in life, and help in erasing any form of emotional or cognitive limitations.
It helped me like it helps other children and adults; by decreasing the symptoms of inattention and lack of focus (typical with ADHD). In my recent published study, all of the 30 children who had a previous diagnosis of either a learning disability or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, showed significant improvements in short-term memory, focus and attention, processing speed, and mathematical abilities. All children in the study had low to below average scores on test scores before the use of AVS. After the study, all children showed significant improvement in all tests.
What about the studies you conducted on children with attention problems - can you outline the studies briefly and their results?
There have been many previous studies using AVS for Learning Disabilities (LD) and academic performance, and findings show improvements on standardized testing (Carter & Russell, 1981; 1993; 1994; 1995; Micheletti, 1998; Patrick, 1994). Other studies found that AVS decreased the symptoms and improved problem behaviors in ADHD children (Joyce & Siever, 2000, Olmstead, 2000, 2001) and in children diagnosed with autism (Woodbury, 1996). Though all of these studies demonstrate varying improvements in standardized tests and tests rating behavior, few of these studies addressed the changes in specific cognitive functions known to be common to LD.
My 2003 study targeted faster brain frequencies in the high beta and gamma range (20-40Hz) when using AVS technology. I decided that brainwave coherence in the higher ranges such as beta and gamma may increase and strengthen synaptic linkages through the synchronistic firing of activated neural cells.
The purpose of my study was to examine the effects of Auditory and Visual Stimulation (AVS) on specific cognitive abilities in children ages 6 through 15 previously diagnosed with learning disabilities (LD).
The tests I used are from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) SCAD profile. This is a very highly reliable and valid test used throughout the United States for intelligence testing. The SCAD profile includes subtests called Symbol Search, Coding, Arithmetic, and Digit Span. This profile was administered pre- and post- twelve, biweekly 35- minute AVS sessions. Two index scores from the SCAD profile were also assessed: Freedom from Distractibility (FFD) and Processing Speed (PS).
The findings of my study demonstrated that AVS produced significant changes in all of the specific cognitive abilities as measured by the WISC-III SCAD profile.
The conclusion to my study and other studies demonstrates that AVS technology has the potential to greatly enhance cognitive abilities and quality of life for the learning-disabled individual who may be at risk for social, psychological, and a multitude of personal disappointments and life-long failures without such intervention.
In Conclusion
As we know, physical exercise and maintenance of healthy living are required for optimal health and longevity. Thus, the importance of any form of brain stimulation for ongoing cognitive maintenance and enhancement should not be underestimated. Evidence now exists that brain stimulation induces an increase in dendritic growth, recovery of neurons in the visual cortex, and increased levels of brain glucose.
If these physiological brain studies demonstrate that auditory and visual stimulation (AVS) can be associated with enhanced cognitive abilities and functioning, other brain disorders and dysfunction may also be aided, such as stroke, brain injury, syndromes such as autism, and those diagnosed with mental handicaps.
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I have devoted 35 years to developing tools to make the human brain more user friendly. I find the MindSpa to be of the most important new tools that can open the doorway to better quality of life.I use the MindSpa on myself....I use the MindSpa on my clients. The results I get are astonishing. Better learning, sleeping, thinking...... the list goes on and on. I intend to use this device to create opportunity, success, and freedom.
Let the future be more wonderful!
DR. RICHARD BANDLER, Co-creator and Creative Genius of Neuro Linguistic Programming™
Watch an informative ten minute video by Dr. Richard Bandler!
Learn about how light and sound works and all about our Hästens MindSpa available exclusively from your local Hästens store. Click here for further information.
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