Clinical EEG and Neuroscience
2019

Evaluation of Neurofeedback for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Related to Refugee Experiences Using Self-Report and Cognitive ERP Measures (Article)

Askovic M. , Watters A.J.* , Coello M. , Aroche J. , Harris A.W.F. , Kropotov J.
  • a New South Wales Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Carramar, NSW, Australia, Brain Dynamics Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • b New South Wales Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Carramar, NSW, Australia, Brain Dynamics Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • c New South Wales Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Carramar, NSW, Australia
  • d New South Wales Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Carramar, NSW, Australia
  • e Brain Dynamics Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • f N.P, Bechtereva Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation

Abstract

Background. Neurofeedback holds promise as an intervention for the psychophysiological dysfunction found in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Few empirical studies have assessed the efficacy of neurofeedback for PTSD, and none in individuals with refugee trauma. A proposed mechanism for neurofeedback efficacy in PTSD is through remediating deficits in cognitive control. We assessed pre- and postchanges in symptoms and neurocognitive functioning of refugee clients participating in a neurofeedback intervention for PTSD. Methods. Clinical data for 13 adult refugees with chronic PTSD who participated in neurofeedback combined with trauma counseling (NFT) was compared with 13 adult refugees placed on a waitlist to receive neurofeedback. Waitlist clients continued to receive trauma counseling alone (TC). NFT was additionally assessed pre- and posttherapy for changes in event-related potentials (ERPs) and behavioral indices of cognitive control using a visual continuous performance task (VCPT). Comparison VCPT data from healthy controls (HC) was available from the Human Brain Index database. Results. Posttherapy, NFT had significantly lower symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression compared with TC. NFT demonstrated an increased P3 amplitude and improved behavioral performance suggesting a normalization of cognitive control. Conclusions. These preliminary observations are consistent with a possible benefit of neurofeedback for remediating PTSD. This may be achieved at least partially by an improvement in cognitive control. Further confirmation of the effectiveness of the treatment now requires a randomized controlled trial that considers issues such as placebo response, nonspecific therapist effects, and duration of treatment. © EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society (ECNS) 2019.

Author Keywords

Cognitive control posttraumatic stress disorder Refugee trauma neurofeedback event-related potentials

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85066848469&doi=10.1177%2f1550059419849170&partnerID=40&md5=117edfb0fa850951e24537b3e52a3e96
DOI: 10.1177/1550059419849170
ISSN: 15500594
Original Language: English