Joel F. Lubar (November 16, 1938 – February 9, 2024) was an American psychologist and neuroscientist who worked on the development of biofeedback and its application in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lubar served as a professor at the University of Tennessee, where his scientific work encompassed the fields of neuroscience, applied psychophysiology, and quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG).
Early life and education After graduating from high school, Lubar studied at the University of Chicago, where he earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD. D.) degrees from the Division of the Biological Sciences and Department of Bio-psychology in 1963.
Academic career Lubar began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of Rochester (1963–1967). He subsequently joined the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), where he served as associate professor (1967–1971) and professor (1971). He built most of his academic career at UTK, where he served until his retirement as professor emeritus. He served as an editor for several scientific journals, including regional editor for Physiology and Behavior (1969–1988), associate editor for Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, and editor for the Journal of Neurotherapy. From 1979 onward, he co-directed the Southeastern Biofeedback Institute.
Research contributions Lubar was responsible for the development of electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback protocols used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In controlled studies conducted in the mid-1970s, Lubar demonstrated that modifying EEG activity—specifically by increasing beta waves and decreasing theta waves—was associated with reduced hyperactivity. These biofeedback protocols were eventually adopted by more than 1,500 healthcare institutions worldwide. A 1992 study published in Pediatric Neurology reported distinct QEEG patterns in children diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder (ADD)—which has been since classified as inattentive-type attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—compared to non-ADD control subjects. Lubar also researched epilepsy management, cognitive enhancement, and quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) in relation to complex mental processes.
Publications Lubar authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles, numerous book chapters, and eight books on neuroscience and applied psychophysiology. Notable works include:
Biological Foundations of Behavior (1969) Behavioral Approaches to Neurology (1981) Physiological Bases of Behavior (1982)
Professional leadership During his academic and research career, Lubar was nominated for several senior positions in several professional organizations, including:
President of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) President of the EEG Division of AAPB Founding President of the Biofeedback Society of Tennessee President of the International Society for Neuroregulation & Research (ISNR) Board of Directors member for the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA)
Awards and honors Throughout his professional career, Lubar received several accolades, including:
Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences Biofeedback Pioneer Award from AAPB UTK Chancellor's Faculty Research Scholar title Listed among Stanford University's top 2% most-cited scientists on the international level (2019)
Death Joel F. Lubar died on February 9, 2024, at the age of 85.
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