The efficacy of neurofeedback among patients with major depressive disorder: preliminary study

Authors

  • San-Yu Wang
  • I-Mei Lin Kaohsiung Medical University
  • Erik Peper
  • Yu-Ting Chen
  • Tze-Chun Tang
  • Yi-Chun Yeh
  • Yu-Che Tsai
  • Che-Cheng Chu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.3.3.127

Keywords:

major depressive disorder, neurofeedback, electroencephalogram, alpha asymmetry

Abstract

Introduction: Alpha asymmetry of the left and right frontal hemisphere is a potential biomarker for major depressive disorder (MDD). Neurofeedback (NFB) is a clinical intervention program for regulating brain activity and decreasing alpha asymmetry. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of NFB among patients with MDD. Methods: Fourteen patients with MDD were randomly assigned to a NFB group that received neurofeedback training 1 hr weekly for 6 weeks and to a control group that was treated without training. A 5-min resting baseline of electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded at F3 (left) and F4 (right) before and after NFB, and the alpha power was analyzed as an asymmetry index (A1). Results: The A1 of the control group decreased from pre- to post-interventions while the A1 of the NFB group increased from pre- to post-interventions. Anxiety and depression scores of the responder group decreased from pre- to post-interventions, while the scores of the non-responder group increased from pre-to post-interventions. Conclusion: Patients who respond to the NFBtraining showed a decrease in anxiety and depression scores compared to those who do not. This study indicated that NFB could improve left frontal hypoarousal or right frontal hyperarousal among patients with MDD.


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Published

2016-09-01

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2016)

Section

Research Papers

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