Australasian Psychiatry
Volume 25, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 358-363

Neurofeedback as an adjunct therapy for treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder related to refugee trauma and torture experiences: two case studies (Article)

Askovic M.* , Watters A.J. , Aroche J. , Harris A.W.F.
  • a Neurofeedback/Biofeedback Program, NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Australia, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of SydneyNSW, Australia, Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • b NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Australia, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • c NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • d Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the use of neurofeedback for refugee-related chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in two case studies. Methods: We describe the assessment and application of neurofeedback integrated into the treatment of two clients with chronic PTSD. We include details of our treatment schedule, symptoms and quantitative electrophysiological data for each case. Results: All clients achieved significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD and improvement in daily functioning post-neurofeedback therapy. Quantitative electroencephalogric (EEG) measures indicate a normalisation of EEG markers relating to trauma, including overarousal at rest and working memory function. Conclusions: Neurofeedback as an adjunct to trauma-informed therapy may help to remediate chronic PTSD relating to refugee experiences. If replicated then improvements demonstrated in this population would be generalisable to all chronic PTSD. © 2017, © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2017.

Author Keywords

posttraumatic stress disorder Refugee Torture neurofeedback trauma

Index Keywords

anxiety depression refugee multimodality cancer therapy human Refugees middle aged injury Combined Modality Therapy cognitive behavioral therapy dysthymia panic psychotherapy insomnia arousal Humans psychology male case report working memory Article adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic electroencephalography accuracy beta rhythm response time alpha rhythm Neurofeedback theta rhythm Torture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85027128353&doi=10.1177%2f1039856217715988&partnerID=40&md5=a6c88b8705c86f7c5fe48d99bb1c37c0
DOI: 10.1177/1039856217715988
ISSN: 10398562
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English