Retrospective analysis of neurofeedback training in patients with PTSD
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Abstract
Neurofeedback training is designed to change the neural signals and mental activity of individuals. Previous research has demonstrated neurofeedback's potential to treat a wide range of mental and physical conditions. Specifically, for post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), targeted protocols involve down-training slow Theta (2-6 Hz) and rapid High-Beta (22-36 Hz) frequencies while up-training Alpha (10-13 Hz) wavelengths. Down training reduces drowsiness, anxiety, and aggression, while uptraining encourages a relaxed, regulated state. This retrospective analysis seeks to infer the effect of treatment lapses greater than six weeks on neurofeedback outcomes in eight clients at the UTSA Sarabia Family Counseling Center. Single case research design was utilized at original data collection. Using visual analysis, we observe instances where clients retained at least part of their change in brainwave amplitude. It was also commonly observed that the amplitude trend reversed after the treatment gap. To empirically test these observations, we measure trends in cumulative percent change of amplitude. We find statistically significant (p<0.05) increases in theta and alpha amplitude before the session gap (Phase B). While we do observe decreases in alpha and theta amplitude after the gap (Phase C), these trends do not reach significance. Our results suggest that neurofeedback to treat PTSD may be durable, at least so far as brainwave amplitudes are concerned. Furthermore, we observe unintuitive changes in amplitude trends. This could reflect the way that the brain responds to feedback over different frequencies. A higher-powered study may be able to confirm the results of our visual analysis.
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Research project completed at the Department of Intervention Services & Leadership in Education.