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A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training
Published on: August 24, 2017
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A Randomized Controlled Study of Neurofeedback for Chronic PTSD.
Bessel A van der Kolk1,2,3, Hilary Hodgdon1,3, Mark Gapen1
1Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute (JRI), Brookline MA, United States of America.
Plos One
|December 20, 2016
Summary
EEG neurofeedback training (NF) significantly reduced PTSD symptoms and improved affect regulation in patients with chronic PTSD compared to a waitlist control group. NF shows promise as an effective treatment for PTSD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Brain/Computer Interaction (BCI) devices modulate neural signals to influence mental activity.
- Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) presents significant challenges in symptom management and affect regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of EEG neurofeedback training (NF) in reducing PTSD symptoms.
- To assess the impact of NF on improving affect regulation capacities in individuals with chronic PTSD.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, waitlist-controlled trial involving 52 individuals with chronic PTSD.
- Participants were assigned to either NF (n=28) or a waitlist (WL) control (n=24).
- Assessments included the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), and Inventory of Altered Self-Capacities (IASC) over four evaluation points.
Main Results:
- Post-treatment, a significantly lower proportion of the NF group (27.3%) met PTSD criteria compared to the WL group (68.2%).
- Significant treatment condition x time interactions were observed for PTSD symptoms and affect regulation measures.
- Effect sizes for NF were comparable to established effective PTSD treatments.
Conclusions:
- EEG neurofeedback training demonstrated significant improvements in PTSD symptoms and affect regulation compared to the control group.
- NF warrants further investigation for its therapeutic potential in PTSD and its underlying mechanisms of action.
