Effect of Electroencephalogram Neurofeedback Training on Quality of Life in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: In Context of Spontaneous Recovery

Abstract

Introduction Quality of life (QOL) is strongly affected following traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is a strong need to explore the use of new developments in neuropsychological rehabilitation such as electroencephalogram (EEG) neurofeedback training (NFT) on QOL in TBI patients. Objective The objective was to study the effect of EEG NFT on QOL in TBI patients in the context of spontaneous recovery. Methodology A sample of 60 TBI patients was assigned to an NFT group (n = 30) and a treatment as usual (TAU) group (n = 30). Twenty sessions of α/θ NFT at the occipital 1 and 2 scalp locations were given to the NFT group. The NFT protocol used was dependent on (4–7 Hz) θ and (8–12 Hz) α activity with the aim of decreasing the θ/α ratio. Pre- and postassessments of QOL were recorded on the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL)–BREF. Results This study results indicate significant enhancement of QOL in the NFT group as compared with the TAU group. The improvement scores indicate that the 12- to 18-month postinjury NFT group had significantly less improvement on QOL as compared with the < 6-month NFT group. Conclusion EEG NFT helps improve QOL in TBI patients. Early intervention is more effective in improving QOL than later intervention.

The Road Less Traveled: Integrating Neurotherapy with Holistic Neuropsychological Rehabilitation After Severe Head Injury

“…Twenty sessions of EEG-NFT were effective in reducing the postconcussive symptoms, perceived stress, and overall levels of dysfunctions (Bennett et al, 2017;Reddy et al, 2014). It was also found that EEG-NFT was equally effective in bringing about these changes regardless of the time since injury (Bennett et al, 2017). Memory scores on neuropsychological testing did not show any change, but forgetfulness and orientation were reported to have improved on the VAS.…”

“…Twenty sessions of EEG-NFT, each lasting for 40 min on alternate days with a protocol targeting to increase alpha and decrease theta resulted in significant improvements in a wide range of cognitive functions such as processing speed, attention, executive functions, visuospatial construction, learning, and memory in patients with TBI (Reddy, Rajeswaran, Indira Devi, & Kandavel, 2013). EEG-NFT was also found to be useful in improving subjective symptom reporting, perceived stress, and quality of life (Bennett et al, 2018;Bennett, Sampath, Christopher, Thennarasu, & Rajeswaran, 2017;Reddy, Rajeswaran, Bhagavatula, & Kandavel, 2014). These findings suggest that EEG-NFT can lead to dual benefit (i.e., by bringing about improvement in cognitive functions as well as in emotional-behavioral functioning).…”

The Impact of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review

“…Also, based on operant conditioning, neurofeedback training (NFT) reinforces desirable self-regulated changes in brain activity and physiological functioning; these changes correspond with improved self-regulation 29–34. NFT showed potential in reducing neurobehavioral symptoms and improved QOL measures 35,36. The study design included 6 quasi-experimental studies14,37–41 and seven 2-group experimental studies, of which 3 are RCTs 12,35,36,42–45…”

“…[29][30][31][32][33][34] NFT showed potential in reducing neurobehavioral symptoms and improved QOL measures. 35,36 The study design included 6 quasiexperimental studies 14,[37][38][39][40][41] and seven 2-group experimental studies, of which 3 are RCTs. 12,35,36,[42][43][44][45] Among these studies, Brown et al 38 reported significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD, with differences noted in pre/posttreatment quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) measures.…”

“…35,36 The study design included 6 quasiexperimental studies 14,[37][38][39][40][41] and seven 2-group experimental studies, of which 3 are RCTs. 12,35,36,[42][43][44][45] Among these studies, Brown et al 38 reported significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD, with differences noted in pre/posttreatment quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) measures. Elbogen et al 39 found that NFT improved anger management and reduced TBI and PTSD symptoms, such as pain and stress.…”