treatment as usual
treatment as usual is a specialized approach in our brain training toolkit. Peak Brain Institute applies treatment as usual as part of comprehensive, QEEG-guided protocols tailored to each client's brain patterns and goals. Explore our 2 research papers covering this topic.
Research Papers
Infralow neurofeedback in the treatment of substance use disorders: a randomized controlled trial
Background: Infralow neurofeedback (ILF-NF) was recently developed as a subtype of traditional, frequency-based neurofeedback that targets cerebral rhythmic activity below 0.5 Hz and improves brain self-regulation. The efficacy of ILF-NF in the treatment of substance use disorder has not yet been evaluated, but clinical evidence suggests that it may prevent relapse by improving functioning in various life domains. The current study aimed to fill this research gap and extend empirical evidence related to this issue. Methods: Ninety-three patients with substance use disorders at an outpatient unit in Norway were randomized to receive 20 sessions (30 minutes each) of ILF-NF training combined with treatment as usual (TAU), or TAU alone. The primary outcome was quality of life post-treatment as an overall measure of functioning. We analyzed between-group differences using Student t tests. Results: We found no significant differences in quality of life between groups. We found similar nonsignificant results for most of the secondary outcome measures, including drug use, sleep, anxiety and depression. Compared to TAU, the ILF-NF + TAU group reported significantly lower restlessness scores post-treatment (mean difference −1.8, 95% confidence interval –3.1 to –0.5; p = 0.006). Limitations: This study was limited by broad inclusion criteria and a lack of placebo control (sham neurofeedback treatment). Conclusion: ILF-NF offered limited additional benefit when combined with TAU, except in the area of restlessness. Future studies could further investigate the relationship between ILF-NF, restlessness and substance use in targeted subpopulations to illuminate relapse mechanisms. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03356210.
View Full Paper →Behavioral effects of neurofeedback in adolescents with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial
Neurofeedback has been proposed as a potentially effective intervention for reducing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. However, it remains unclear whether neurofeedback is of additional value to treatment as usual (TAU) for adolescents with clinical ADHD symptoms. Using a multicenter parallel-randomized controlled trial design, adolescents with ADHD symptoms were randomized to receive either a combination of TAU and neurofeedback (NFB + TAU, n = 45) or TAU-only (n = 26). Randomization was computer generated and stratified for age group (ages 12 through 16, 16 through 20, 20 through 24). Neurofeedback treatment consisted of approximately 37 sessions of theta/sensorimotor rhythm (SMR)-training on the vertex (Cz). Primary behavioral outcome measures included the ADHD-rating scale, Youth Self Report, and Child Behavior Checklist all assessed pre- and post-intervention. Behavioral problems decreased equally for both groups with medium to large effect sizes, range of partial η2 = 0.08–0.31, p < 0.05. Hence, the combination of NFB + TAU was not more effective than TAU-only on the behavioral outcome measures. In addition, reported adverse effects were similar for both groups. On behavioral outcome measures, the combination of neurofeedback and TAU was as effective as TAU-only for adolescents with ADHD symptoms. Considering the absence of additional behavioral effects in the current study, in combination with the limited knowledge of specific treatment effects, it is questionable whether theta/SMR neurofeedback for adolescents with ADHD and comorbid disorders in clinical practice should be used. Further research is warranted to investigate possible working mechanisms and (long-term) specific treatment effects of neurofeedback.
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