INFORMED CONSENT FORM FOR SLEEP PROGRAM
Our mission is to offer the most comprehensive array of services with the best-trained and most caring clinicians. This document contains important information and policies of Elumind Centres for Brain Excellence.
Therapeutic Assessment – (The information below is also applicable to all consultations and sessions conducted via Telehealth) A Health Improvement Therapeutic Assessment will include a detailed review of your psychology, health history, medical background, and your brain needs. Through the interview, we gather subjective data as to where the issues are arising from. Once the assessment is completed, the results may be consulted with other physician(s) within Elumind Centres for Brain Excellence to then offer you the service/services that would most benefit your healing needs. In sleep program TA, our doctors are doing the vitals recording which includes blood pressure monitoring, skin temperature, BMI calculation based on client’s height and weight.
Brain Health Services, QEEG Brain Map – Elumind Centres provides one the most advanced brain mapping in all over Canada. This QEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalography Mapping) is a comprehensive analysis of your brain’s current connectivity patterns allowing for a personalized brain health solution (neurofeedback, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia).
What Makes Our Brain Mapping Unique? – We have the one of the most comprehensive brain mapping in Canada because we look at 55 brain areas. This provides an in-depth look into your brain’s pathways and areas of the brain which are not functioning at their optimal levels. After the brain map is complete, it is then analyzed and on a different day, one of our doctors will meet with you to explain in detail what areas of your brain need to be trained to achieve your optimal brain health. Our doctors will present you with a neurofeedback, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia created specifically to you and your brain’s needs. Brain Mapping leaves out all guesswork in healing your brain!
Biofeedback assessment – A biofeedback assessment is a process where Elumind’s trained technicians gather information about a person’s physiological functions to understand how their body responds to stress, relaxation, and other stimuli. The goal is to identify specific physiological patterns that may contribute to health issues and to develop targeted interventions.
During the physiological measurement, sensors or electrodes are attached to specific areas of the body to monitor physiological functions. The choice of sensors depends on the targeted responses and the goals of the assessment. Common measures include heart rate, skin temperature, muscle tension, skin conductance, and respiratory rate.
The biofeedback equipment provides real-time feedback on the monitored physiological measures.
Visual or auditory cues may be used to indicate changes in physiological responses, allowing the individual to see or hear how their body is responding.
The data collected during the assessment is analyzed to identify specific patterns, such as elevated heart rate during stress or increased muscle tension. This analysis helps in understanding how the individual’s body responds to different stimuli.
Sleep tracker – The purpose of using the sleep tracker as part of the sleep program assessment is to:
• Monitor and record sleep patterns, including duration, quality, and disruptions.
• Gather data on factors such as sleep stages and movement during sleep.
• Provide valuable information to assess the overall quality of my sleep.
Benefits of Using Sleep Tracker:
1. The sleep tracker provides objective data on sleep patterns, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment.
2. Data from the sleep tracker may inform personalized recommendations to improve sleep quality.
3. The sleep tracker allows for the tracking of sleep changes and improvements over the course of the sleep program.
4. The integration of sleep tracker data may contribute to a more effective and tailored sleep program.
Data Privacy and Confidentiality – The data collected by the sleep tracker is considered sensitive and will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Only authorized personnel involved in the sleep program assessment will have access to this information. The data will be securely stored and will not be shared without client’s explicit consent, except as required by law.
The sleep tracker will be used for a specified duration as determined by the sleep program assessment plan. The tracking period may be subject to adjustment based on program goals and client needs.
Neurofeedback – Neurofeedback is a form of brain training that optimizes brain functions and treats a wide range of brain health conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism. It is also used for performance-enhancing for athletes and business executives.
Benefits And Risks of Neurofeedback – During the treatment session, the brain gets rewarded every time it engages in pathways that makes it resilient, calm, flexible and focused. Because the brain gets rewarded it repeatedly accesses those helpful pathways until they are permanently established. Generally, after the brain has learned a new pattern, the results should last. However, if you are confronted with an unexpected life challenge that affects the brain (i.e. trauma, loss of a loved one, extreme stress), you might need maintenance or “tune-up” sessions. Treatment results vary and are based on the weekly number of sessions and how much of your protocol you complete. The total number of sessions varies between individuals and is based on the brain map results or on the person’s severity of symptoms. Every brain is different and can have a faster or slower response to treatment.
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive and painless training that is completely safe with no known long-term side effects. Any effects are usually transient and easily remedied if occur. Sometimes a person may notice a short-term change in symptoms as the brain adjusts to a new pattern. The symptom usually goes away on its own or can be minimized easily by the clinician’s adjustment of the treatment protocol. Also, another common experience may be transient vivid dreams or fatigue (neurofeedback is like going to the gym for the brain) after the first few sessions. We encourage you to report any discomfort during or after the session to the clinician/technician so that the treatment modality can be altered in your best interest. Please note that all equipment and preparations used during the delivery of Neurofeedback treatments at Elumind Centres for Brain Excellence are of the latest technology and their safety is guaranteed.
Biofeedback – Biofeedback is a therapy that allows you to control and regulate your body’s physiological functions more effectively, thereby reducing excess nervous excitability in your body. Whether you want to take charge of your emotions, control pain signals in your body or as an athlete reach higher levels, taking charge of your physiology through biofeedback allows you to optimize your body’s nervous system and puts you fully in charge of your life. During a session, our experts attach non-invasive electrical sensors to your skin (finger sensors could also be used) through which you receive instant feedback on your body’s functions. The feedback can be in the form of an image, a flash of light, as well as sounds that represent your physiological functions such as heart and breathing rate, skin temperature, and muscle activity. Under normal circumstances, these functions occur subconsciously.
Benefits And Risks of Biofeedback – Biofeedback benefits are as follows:
1. Biofeedback is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve the use of medications or surgical interventions. It provides a safe and generally well-tolerated method for self-regulation.
2. Biofeedback empowers individuals to become aware of their physiological responses and learn how to regulate them voluntarily. It promotes a sense of control over one’s own bodily functions, leading to increased self-efficacy.
3. Biofeedback can be tailored to target specific physiological functions based on individual needs and health goals. It allows for personalized treatment plans to address a variety of conditions.
4. Biofeedback is effective in helping individuals manage and reduce stress. By learning to control physiological responses such as heart rate and muscle tension, individuals can achieve a state of relaxation.
5. It has been successfully used as a complementary therapy for pain management. Biofeedback techniques can help individuals modulate their perception of pain and reduce reliance on pain medications.
6. Biofeedback has shown positive outcomes in addressing mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Learning to regulate physiological responses can contribute to improved mood and emotional well-being.
7. Athletes and individuals in high-performance fields use biofeedback to optimize their mental and physical performance. It aids in achieving peak performance states by enhancing focus, concentration, and relaxation.
Risks of Biofeedback:
1. Biofeedback relies on electronic monitoring equipment, and there may be a risk of dependency on this technology. Clients may find it challenging to maintain self-regulation without continuous feedback.
2. While biofeedback can be effective, it is often most beneficial when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. It may not be a standalone solution for certain medical or psychological conditions.
3. Some individuals may initially find it challenging to achieve the desired level of control over physiological responses. This frustration can impact the effectiveness of the therapy.
4. Successful biofeedback often requires time and commitment from clients to practice and master the techniques. Lack of consistency in practicing biofeedback exercises may impact the overall effectiveness.
5. Biofeedback may not be suitable for certain medical conditions or clients with specific physiological limitations. It is important to conduct a thorough assessment to determine the appropriateness of biofeedback for a particular client.
6. There may be variations in the quality and standardization of biofeedback practices.
It is crucial to seek biofeedback services from qualified and trained practitioners to ensure effectiveness and safety.
7. While rare, some clients may experience side effects, such as mild skin irritation from electrodes or discomfort during the monitoring process. These side effects are typically minor and transient.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia – the purpose of incorporating Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) into the sleep program is to:
• Address and modify behaviors and thoughts that may contribute to insomnia.
• Promote healthier sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.
• Equip the client with practical tools and strategies to manage and overcome insomnia.
CBTI may include the following components:
• Sleep Education – Providing information about healthy sleep habits and dispelling myths about sleep.
• Sleep Restriction – Structuring sleep time to improve sleep efficiency and consolidate sleep.
• Cognitive Restructuring – Identifying and addressing thoughts and beliefs that may contribute to sleep difficulties.
• Relaxation Techniques – Teaching relaxation exercises to create a calm and conducive sleep environment.
• Sleep Hygiene Practices – Providing guidance on lifestyle and environmental factors that impact sleep.
Benefits of CBTI – The potential benefits of participating in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) include:
1. Improved Sleep Quality: CBTI aims to improve the overall quality of sleep by addressing underlying factors contributing to insomnia.
2. Enhanced Sleep Duration: The program may help optimize sleep duration and efficiency.
3. Empowerment and Self-Management: Equipping me with skills to manage insomnia independently.
4. Long-Term Sleep Maintenance: Strategies learned in CBTI may contribute to long-term maintenance of improved sleep patterns.
Elumind Centres’ treatments And Medications While many people undergo brain training with the goal of reducing the need for medication and alleviating the symptoms, Elumind Centres’ treatments are not substitutes for the benefits of medication. Do not stop or alter your medications without consulting your physician. Also, be aware that brain training could affect your body’s response to other medications you are taking for conditions unrelated to the ones for which
COVID-19: Our centre follows the BC College of Physicians and BC Ministry of Health infection control and disease management guidelines. Furthermore, we adhere to the highest standards of employee safety as per Work Safe BC to ensure that our staff are protected, which in turn translates to you being safe when going through your therapeutic experience with Elumind Centres. For more details check out our website.
Phone: (604) 220-8866 | 
Monday—Friday: 9:00 AM-7:30 PM
