Effectiveness of Neurofeedback on Psychological Stress, Salivary Cortisol and α-amylase Level in Students: A Randomized and Parallel-Group Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Numerous research studies have unveiled the significant impacts of neurofeedback (NFB) on individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress. Objectives: In light of these findings, the current trial aimed to assess the efficacy of neurofeedback in alleviating stress symptoms among students experiencing high levels of stress, utilizing the neurofeedback method. Methods: The trial comprised 30 students aged between 15 and 25 years old who were identified as experiencing psychological distress. To ensure an in-depth investigation and account for potential confounding variables, we employed a randomized controlled trial design, randomly allocating participants to either the experimental or control group. The first group received an 8-week course of neurofeedback treatment, while the control group did not receive any specific treatment but underwent psychological assessments at predetermined intervals. Baseline measurements were taken at the commencement of the study, utilizing the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and salivary tests. Subsequent measurements were conducted after 4 weeks and at the conclusion of the research. The collected data underwent repeated measures of variance analysis for statistical evaluation. Results: At the conclusion, the mean of the experimental group (36.8) and control group (76.67) were found to be significantly different (P < 0.001). Furthermore, after 4 weeks into the study, the repeated measures variance analysis revealed that the mean of the experimental group was lower than that of the other group (P < 0.05, ES: 0.651). Conclusions: The results of this trial suggest that neurofeedback (NFB) can be considered an effective, low-risk, non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing high levels of stress, as indicated by the significant reduction in salivary biomarkers.