Brain machine "improves musicianship"

> http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/neuro/neurofeedback.html
>
> Brain machine 'improves musicianship'
>
> Scientists have created a technique that dramatically improves the
> performance of musicians.
>
>
> The system - called neurofeedback - trains musicians to clear their minds
> and produce more creative brain waves.
>
> Research, to be published in the journal Neuroreport, indicates the
> technique helps musicians to improve by an average of 17% - the equivalent
> of one grade or class of honours.
>
> Some improved by as much as 50%.
>
> Students were assessed on two pieces of music before and after
> neurofeedback
> sessions.
>
> Neurofeedback monitors brain activity through sensors attached to
> the scalp
> which filter out the brainwaves.
>
> These filtered brainwaves are then 'fed back' to the individual
> in the form
> of a video game displayed on a screen.
>
> The participant learns to control the game by altering particular
> aspects of
> their brain activity.
>
> This alteration in brain activity can influence performance.
>
> A panel of expert judges found the 97 Royal College of Music students
> improved in a number of areas, including musical understanding,
> imagination,
> and communication with the audience.
>
>
> The technique has already been used to treat epilepsy,
> alcoholism, attention
> deficit and post-traumatic stress disorders, according to the researchers
> from Imperial College London and Charing Cross Hospital who conducted the
> study.
>
> But Dr Tobias Egner said: "This is the first time it has been used to
> improve a complex set of skills such as musical performance in healthy
> students."
>
> And Professor John Gruzelier added: "While it has a role in
> stress reduction
> by reducing the level of stage fright, the magnitude and range of
> beneficial
> effects on artistic aspects of performance have wider implications."
>
> original at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3091595.stm
>
[filtered from techgnosis]