Neurofeedback Treatment of Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

A robust body of research documents that there are biological predispositions that often exist for depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, new research has shown that medication is only mildly more effective than placebo in the treatment of these problems. In treating these conditions, neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) may offer an alternative to invasive treatments such as medication, ECT, and intense levels of transcrancial magnetic stimulation. This paper reviews the neurofeedback literature with these problems, finding particularly positive research support for the treatment of anxiety disorders. New findings on the neurofeedback treatment of depression are presented.

The self-regulating brain and neurofeedback: Experimental science and clinical promise

“…A number of reviews and meta-analyses have addressed the literature regarding EEG-nf treatment for ADHD (Arns et al, 2014;Arns, Ridder, & Strehl, 2009;Lofthouse et al, 2012;Sonuga-Barke et al, 2013), epilepsy (Tan et al, 2009), depression and anxiety (Hammond, 2005), Parkinson's disease (Esmail & Linden, 2014), and a slew of other disorders (Hammond, 2011). Some of these accounts highlight the dearth of convincing evidence (Esmail & Linden, 2014;Lofthouse et al, 2012;Sonuga-Barke et al, 2013) while others rely on single-blinding, subpar control groups, non-peer-reviewed publications, and case studies to support EEG-nf (see Thibault et al, 2015 for a more in-depth exposition).…”

EEG-based upper-alpha neurofeedback for cognitive enhancement in major depressive disorder: A preliminary, uncontrolled study

“…Alpha is the dominant rhythm in the human EEG, which is characterized by a 'peak' in the power spectra in the frequency range [7,13] Hz (denoted alpha band), and is related to cognitive factors, such as working memory [9]. Regarding the alpha rhythm electrophysiology in depressive patients, a prefrontal alpha asymmetry has been commonly reported (see [10] for a review).…”

“…Regarding the alpha rhythm electrophysiology in depressive patients, a prefrontal alpha asymmetry has been commonly reported (see [10] for a review). While recent research studies are still elucidating whether this asymmetry is an endophenotype for depression [11], some studies have performed NF interventions to reduce such asymmetry in an attempt to reduce the depressive symptomatology [12], [13]. The results obtained, although encouraging, represent uncontrolled case series and thus controlled research is required to better evaluate its effectiveness [13].…”

“…While recent research studies are still elucidating whether this asymmetry is an endophenotype for depression [11], some studies have performed NF interventions to reduce such asymmetry in an attempt to reduce the depressive symptomatology [12], [13]. The results obtained, although encouraging, represent uncontrolled case series and thus controlled research is required to better evaluate its effectiveness [13]. To the best of the authors' knowledge, only one study performed a clinical trial reporting a reduction in depression while improving executive function [14].…”

Bio/neurofeedback

“…En este sentido, en la actualidad se dispone de unos mapas de la cartografía EEG cerebral cada vez más complejos, y no solo de los ritmos básicos de la actividad EEG cerebral establecidos de acuerdo con la frecuencia de los mismos, medida en hercios (Hz) o ciclos por segundo: delta (0.5-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alfa (8-12 Hz), beta (12-30 Hz) y gamma (30-90 Hz). También se cuenta con la existencia de patrones EEG cuantitativos (QEEG), encontrados específicamente en diferentes áreas cerebrales, que permiten identificar determinados patrones anormales de funcionamiento cerebral relacionados con una gran variedad de trastornos neurológicos, mentales y del comportamiento (Hammond, 2005;La Vaque, 2003;Lubar, 1997). En la figura 2 puede verse la imagen de un cerebro en el que está indicada la colocación de los electrodos de registro utilizada en el entrenamiento en neurofeedback de distintos problemas clínicos o neurológicos.…”