posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Research Papers
The impact of neurofeedback training on children with developmental trauma: A randomized controlled study.
Abuse and neglect of children by caregivers often have long-lasting and pervasive effects on mental and neural development, including problems with attention, impulse control, self-regulation, and executive functioning. Impairment of affect regulation is thought to be the largest obstacle to effective intervention. In this pilot study of neurofeedback for polysymptomatic children with such histories, we found a significant improvement on affect regulation and executive functioning after 24 sessions of neurofeedback treatment. This offers the possibility of being able to improve learning, enhance self-efficacy, and develop better social relationships in this hitherto largely treatment resistant population.
View Full Paper →Dissociation and Alterations in Brain Function and Structure: Implications for Borderline Personality Disorder
Dissociation involves disruptions of usually integrated functions of consciousness, perception, memory, identity, and affect (e.g., depersonalization, derealization, numbing, amnesia, and analgesia). While the precise neurobiological underpinnings of dissociation remain elusive, neuroimaging studies in disorders, characterized by high dissociation (e.g., depersonalization/derealization disorder (DDD), dissociative identity disorder (DID), dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (D-PTSD)), have provided valuable insight into brain alterations possibly underlying dissociation. Neuroimaging studies in borderline personality disorder (BPD), investigating links between altered brain function/structure and dissociation, are still relatively rare. In this article, we provide an overview of neurobiological models of dissociation, primarily based on research in DDD, DID, and D-PTSD. Based on this background, we review recent neuroimaging studies on associations between dissociation and altered brain function and structure in BPD. These studies are discussed in the context of earlier findings regarding methodological differences and limitations and concerning possible implications for future research and the clinical setting.
View Full Paper →The Development and Experience of Combat‐Related PTSD: A Demand for Neurofeedback as an Effective Form of Treatment
Veterans experience a considerable course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and because of several psychosocial issues, traditional interventions and traditional intervention settings are ineffective for this population. A new cutting‐edge approach, known as neurofeedback, trains clients to control and manipulate their central nervous system and ameliorate physiological symptoms of stress disorders. The authors delineate how neurofeedback can be an effective and innovative intervention for PTSD experienced by the military population.
View Full Paper →Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study of Two Military Veterans
This case study investigated the effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) on the prevalence and intensity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and self- perceived improvement of performance and satisfaction in daily activities in war veterans. Two male Caucasian veterans (ages 54 and 38) diagnosed with PTSD participated in these case studies with a pretest–posttest design. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the PTSD Symptom Scale–Interview (PSS-I) were administered before and after the 4-week CES treatment. The participants self-administered the 4-week CES treatment protocol using Alpha-Stim SCS CES device in their home for 20 to 60 min a day, 3 to 5 days a week with a comfortable, self-selected, current level between 100 and 500 microamperes. They were asked to document the settings and responses in a daily treatment log. Through visual trend analysis and change scores, the results revealed daily PTSD symptoms decreased in frequency and severity for both participants from PSSI-I and daily treatment log. Self-perceived efficacy of performance and satisfaction as measured by the COPM also improved in the 54-year-old participant as his change scores (performance: +5.4; satisfaction: +7.9) were over the clinical significance of 2 points of COPM. Both participants reported a decrease in PTSD symptoms and an overall improvement in self-perceived occupational performance after a trial of CES. Findings from this study suggest that future research could contribute to the role of occupational therapists using CES in the treatment of veterans with PTSD. This preliminary study, if confirmed, indicates that CES could provide occupational therapists with a safe and effective way to reduce the symptom burden of PTSD while facilitating occupational performance for a rapidly increasing population of war veterans.
View Full Paper →Integrating cognitive neuroscience research and cognitive behavioral treatment with neurofeedback therapy in drug addiction comorbid with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A conceptual review
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders have a more persistent and refractory illness course than those without dual diagnosis. However, few studies have assessed the effects of cognitive-behavioral and biobehavioral treatments on brain function and behavioral indices in people with comorbid drug abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this conceptual review, we propose an integrated approach to assessment and treatment utilizing cognitive neuroscience methods, conventional psychotherapeutic treatment and neurofeedback therapy to assess the recovery of cognitive and emotional functions affected by chronic psychostimulant drug abuse co-occurring with PTSD. We review cognitive and motivational factors (e.g., craving, hypersensitivity to drug- and threat-related cues, deficient executive top-down control etc.) involved in addiction and PTSD, and discuss reasons for their persistence and high vulnerability to relapse in cocaine and methamphetamine users with co-morbid PTSD undergoing behavioral treatment. Incorporating neuroscience assessment methods to assess the effects of psychotherapy and neurofeedback interventions for comorbid disorders may provide significant potential for identifying side-by-side psychophysiological with clinical markers of treatment progress, and may also provide useful information for planning interventions.
View Full Paper →Neurofeedback with anxiety and affective disorders
A robust body of neurophysiologic research is reviewed on functional brain abnormalities associated with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. A review of more recent research finds that pharmacologic treatment may not be as effective as previously believed. A more recent neuroscience technology, electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback (neurofeedback), seems to hold promise as a methodology for retraining abnormal brain wave patterns. It has been associated with minimal side effects and is less invasive than other methods for addressing biologic brain disorders. Literature is reviewed on the use of neurofeedback with anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and with depression. Case examples are provided.
View Full Paper →Ready to Optimize Your Brain?
Schedule a free consultation to discuss posttraumatic stress disorder (ptsd) and how neurofeedback training can help
Or call us directly at 855-88-BRAIN
View Programs & Pricing →