LETHBRIDGE, AB - ThinkFX Performance Group and the University of Victoria Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience Laboratory have entered a formal research partnership to measure outcomes and optimize ThinkFX's Mindfulness Based Neuroresilience (MBNR-8) neurofeedback protocol, a premiere proprietary mental fitness program that progressively trains focus, cognitive processing speed, and mental resilience through three phases of brain training.

In April 2026, the study passed external peer review and was awarded Mitacs Accelerate funding through the Government of Canada and provincial research partners. Mitacs Accelerate is a research program supported by the Government of Canada and provincial governments that connects academic researchers with industry partners. The study has received approval from the University of Victoria Research Ethics Board.

The MBNR-8 protocol combines three proven neurofeedback techniques into a single progressive program. Each phase targets specific regions of the brain:

Focused Attention Training (FAM) targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex - the brain's focus-and-filter circuit - training attention control and reducing mind-wandering.

Alpha Peak Frequency (APF) Training speeds up the brain's dominant alpha rhythm in the occipital cortex, linked to faster cognitive processing and sharper mental performance.

Brain-Guided Self-Hypnosis (BGSH) strengthens the connection between the brain's executive thinking centre and its feeling centre, enhancing intention setting, reframing limiting assumptions, and building lasting resilience.

While each technique is independently supported in neuroscience research, no prior study has evaluated their combined, progressive application. ThinkFX holds a provisional patent on the MBNR methodology.

"We made a deliberate decision to partner with a university neuroscience team to measure and optimize this protocol to supplement existing research and our own testing and offerings," said Sean Miles, CEO of ThinkFX Performance Group. "The mental fitness space is full of bold claims and untested protocols. We wanted objective brain measurements, validated psychometric instruments, and independent academic oversight."

The study will enroll two cohorts of 15 participants beginning late spring 2026. Each participant will complete the full 8-week program, with brain activity and psychological well-being measured at four timepoints. Participants can train from anywhere using a mobile EEG brain monitoring device and a custom web application that provides real-time audio and visual feedback responding to their brain activity. Participants receive weekly live check-ins and are supported by a multidisciplinary team throughout the program.

The study is led by Dr. Olave Krigolson, a neuroscientist at the University of Victoria whose work has included studying the brain activity of Tibetan Buddhist monks in Nepal and conducting cognitive performance research at a NASA-sponsored Mars habitat simulation. His published research validating consumer-grade EEG platforms (Krigolson et al., 2017, 2021) provides the methodological foundation for this study.

"The integration of three well-established neurofeedback approaches into a single progressive framework is a novel and exciting contribution to the field," said Dr. Olave Krigolson, University of Victoria. "This study will allow us to measure changes in brain performance and psychological well-being using validated instruments and objective neurophysiological data."

Study Participation
Participants can access the full 8-week MBNR-8 Premiere protocol for $199 for a program normally valued at over $2,000. Participants receive a mobile EEG brain monitoring device for the duration of the study, access to the neurofeedback training app, weekly check-in options, a customized summary report and sustainability plan, and the support of the ThinkFX Multidisciplinary team and the university neuroscience research team. Spots are limited to 30 participants.

To express interest in participating, contact sean.miles@think-fx.com

or visit: www.think-fx.com

Media Contact:
Sean Miles
CEO, ThinkFX Performance Group
sean.miles@think-fx.com
403. 894. 9832

ThinkFX Performance Group and the MBNR-8 Neurofeedback Protocol

Contact: Sean Miles, CEO | sean.miles@think-fx.com | 403. 894. 9832

ThinkFX Performance Group
ThinkFX Performance Group is a Canadian performance consulting group based in Lethbridge, Alberta, anchored in its flagship mental fitness program. Founded by Sean, ThinkFX develops evidence-based neurofeedback programs for corporations and individuals that build focus, cognitive performance, and mental resilience through structured brain training.

ThinkFX has partnered with the University of Victoria to measure outcomes and optimize its flagship protocol through formal academic research, funded through Mitacs Accelerate, a federally and provincially supported research program.

The MBNR-8 Protocol
MBNR-8 (Mindfulness-Based Neuro-Resilience) is a premiere mental fitness protocol that combines three proven neurofeedback techniques into a single progressive program delivered over 8 weeks. Participants train at home using a mobile EEG brain monitoring device and a custom web application developed by ThinkFX that provides real-time audio and visual feedback responding to the participant's brain activity, guiding the brain's learning process.

Three Phases of Training

Phase 1 - Focused Attention Training (FAM) | Weeks 1-2

FAM strengthens the connection between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) -- the brain's focus-and-filter circuit. With each session, the brain gets better at catching when the mind wanders and redirecting attention back to where you want it. Daily sessions are approximately 10 minutes.

Phase 2 - Alpha Peak Frequency (APF) Training | Weeks 3-4

APF training speeds up the brain's dominant alpha rhythm in the occipital cortex. A faster alpha frequency is linked to quicker cognitive processing speed and sharper mental performance.

Alpha peak frequency naturally peaks in your late twenties and declines with age - APF training works to counteract that natural slowing. Building on Phase 1, daily commitment grows to approximately 20 minutes as both FAM and APF are completed together.

Phase 3 - Brain-Guided Self-Hypnosis (BGSH) | Weeks 5-8

BGSH strengthens the connection between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) - the brain's executive thinking centre - and the insula, the brain's body-awareness and feeling centre. This pairing supports a brain state associated with increased openness to intention setting, helps process and reframe limiting assumptions, and engages the brain's body-awareness system to make those intentions feel more real and personally meaningful. Each session begins with cyclic sighing, a Stanford-researched breathing technique that shifts the nervous system from alert to relaxed. Participants complete all three protocols daily, with sessions totaling approximately 30 minutes.

Ongoing Support

Participants receive weekly live check-ins and are supported by a multidisciplinary team throughout the program, ensuring guidance and accountability at every stage of training.

What Makes MBNR-8 Different

Each of the three techniques used in MBNR-8 is independently supported by peer-reviewed neuroscience research. What is novel is their combined, progressive application within a single structured framework that leverages real-time bio-feedback and measurement - training attention first, then cognitive speed, then deep resilience. No prior study has evaluated this integrated approach. ThinkFX holds a US provisional patent on the MBNR-8 methodology.

Program Formats

MBNR-8 (Premiere) 8 weeks

MBNR-6 (Accelerated) 6 weeks

MBNR-4 (Express) 4 weeks

The 8-week Premiere format is our flagship program. Eight weeks is the standard timeframe used in peer-reviewed research demonstrating measurable structural brain changes from sustained mental training, including the landmark MBSR neuroimaging studies. Shorter formats deliver meaningful training benefits and psychological gains, while the full 8-week program provides the duration most associated with lasting neuroplastic adaptation. In addition to the core MBNR mental fitness framework, a novel "MBNR-T" (trauma) framework is in the evaluation stage for scaled application for large numbers of first responders and the military.

University of Victoria Research Partnership

ThinkFX and the University of Victoria have entered a formal research partnership to measure outcomes and optimize the MBNR-8 protocol.

In April 2026, the MBNR-8 study passed external peer review and was awarded Mitacs Accelerate funding through the Government of Canada and provincial research partners. Mitacs Accelerate is a federally and provincially supported research program that connects academic researchers with industry partners to address real-world challenges through applied research.

The study will enroll two cohorts of 15 participants beginning late spring 2026. Each participant will complete the full 8-week MBNR-8 Premiere protocol. Brain activity and psychological well-being will be measured at four timepoints throughout the program using validated EEG brainwave data and established psychometric instruments.

The study is led by Dr. Olave Krigolson, a neuroscientist in the University of Victoria. Dr. Krigolson directs the Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience Lab and is a published authority on mobile EEG validation. His peer-reviewed research validating consumer-grade EEG platforms for neuroscience research (Krigolson et al., 2017, 2021) has been widely cited and provides the methodological foundation for this study. The study has received approval from the University of Victoria Research Ethics Board.

Study Participation

Individuals interested in participating in the study can access the full 8-week MBNR-8 Premiere protocol for a research fee of $199, a program normally valued at over $2,000. Participants receive a mobile EEG brain monitoring device for the duration of the study, access to the custom neurofeedback training app, and the support of a university neuroscience research team throughout the program.

Spots are limited to 30 participants. To express interest, contact ThinkFX at sean.miles@think-fx.com or visit www.think-fx.com.

About Sean Miles
Sean A. Miles, Ec.D., MBA, C.Mgr., is the CEO of ThinkFX Performance Group and primary author of the MBNR-8 neurofeedback framework. He has spent nearly 15 years studying brain function, behavior, and neurotechnology, including over six years of hands-on work with consumer and research-grade EEG systems. His academic foundation includes a Masters Degree in business, doctoral preparatory coursework in medical neuroscience, neurobiology, and psychological frameworks, and he has served as a sessional faculty instructor in organizational behaviour and business. Sean's approach integrates Eastern contemplative practice with Western neuroscience to create accessible, evidence-based mental performance tools. He has consulted across hundreds of organizations in economic development, post-secondary education, and healthcare, and was named Alberta Economic Developer of the Year. He developed the MBNR-8 protocol to bridge the gap between clinical neuroscience research and practical, real-world application. Sean is based in Lethbridge, Alberta.

About Dr. Olave Krigolson - Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience Lab

Dr. Olave Krigolson directs the Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience Lab at the University of Victoria. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms of learning and decision-making, with particular expertise in mobile EEG systems. His work has included studying the brain activity of Tibetan Buddhist monks in Nepal using portable EEG and conducting cognitive performance research at a NASA-sponsored Mars habitat simulation in Hawaii. His published work validating consumer-grade EEG platforms for neuroscience research has been widely cited in the neurofeedback community and underpins the measurement methodology used in the MBNR-8 study.

About Mitacs Accelerate

Mitacs Accelerate is a research program supported by the Government of Canada and provincial governments that connects academic researchers with industry partners to address real-world challenges through applied research. The program funds research internships that benefit both the academic institution and the partner organization.