Real-Time EEG-Derived Amygdala Neurofeedback for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Clinical Case Series.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects millions, with many patients unresponsive to initial treatments.
• Prism neurofeedback, an FDA-cleared EEG system, targets amygdala biomarkers and has shown promise in controlled studies.
• Limited data exist on its real-world application in community clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical outcomes of Prism neurofeedback for PTSD in a community psychiatry practice.
• To explore patient-developed self-regulation strategies during treatment.
• To evaluate the feasibility and utility of this neurofeedback approach in routine care.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case series of 28 consecutive PTSD patients treated with Prism neurofeedback.
• The primary outcome measure was the change in PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) scores from baseline to end of treatment.
• Data on treatment completion, response rates, and limited follow-up were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 75% of patients completed the Prism neurofeedback treatment.
• A significant mean reduction of 37.0 points in PCL-5 scores was observed (Cohen's d = 2.03).
• Clinically significant improvement (≥10-point reduction) was achieved by 90.5% of patients, with 23.8% showing excellent response (≥50-point reduction).

Conclusions:

• Prism neurofeedback demonstrates feasibility and clinical utility in real-world community practice for PTSD.
• Outcomes in this series are comparable to those in controlled studies, suggesting effectiveness outside research settings.
• Preliminary data indicate durable treatment effects and potential for continued improvement with booster sessions.