Alpha wave biofeedback training therapy in alcoholics

Abstract

This investigation evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of alpha-wave biofeedback treatment for alcoholics. Twenty-five Ss were compared to a matched control group before and after administration of a 3-week alpha-wave biofeedback regimen on a wide variety of criteria that included State-Trait Anxiety, the MMPI, Multiple Affect Adjective Check List, Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale, Watson's Anhedonia Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and baseline alpha. The experimental Ss received 10 hour-long alpha training sessions. The experimentals showed more improvement than did controls on alpha production and two anxiety measure. Contradictory results appeared on two suspicion/paranoia measures. Alpha training appeared useful in the treatment of anxiety, but not other problems. However, the absence of significant correlations between amount of change on alpha and the anxiety measures suggests that the improvement may be due to a placebo effect.

Neurofeedback Treatment of Depression and Anxiety

“…Passini, Watson, Dehnel, Herder, and Watkins (1977) compared 25 anxious alcoholics with a matched control group before and after 10 h (over a 3 week period) of alpha neurofeedback training. Alpha neurofeedback training produced significant (p < 0.001) changes in state and trait anxiety compared with controls.…”

What is Neurofeedback: An Update

“…Of the eight studies of anxiety that were reviewed, seven found positive changes. Another study (Passini, Watson, Dehnel, Herder, & Watkins, 1977) used only 10 hr of neurofeedback with anxious alcoholics and found very significant improvements in state and trait anxiety compared to a control group, with results sustained on 18-month follow-up. A randomized, blinded, controlled study was done with performance anxiety at London's Royal College of Music.…”

EEG Biofeedback as a Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: Review, Rating of Efficacy and Recommendations for Further Research

“…There were reported several uncontrolled case studies and conceptual reviews on alpha EEG training for alcohol (DeGood & Valle, 1978;Denney, Stelson, & Hardt, 1991;Jones & Holmes, 1976;Passini et al, 1977;Tarbox, 1983;Watson, Herder, & Passini, 1978) and drug abuse treatment (Brinkman, 1978;Goldberg, Greenwood, & Taintor, 1976Lamontagne, Beausejour, Annable, & Tetreault, 1977;Sim, 1976), but the impact of alpha biofeedback training as a SUD therapy was not significant.…”