Neurofeedback with low-cost, wearable electroencephalography (EEG) reduces symptoms in chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

卷:295

Article

du Bois, N.¹  Bigirimana, A. D.¹  Korik, A.¹  Kethina, L. Gaju²  Rutembesa, E.²  Mutabaruka, J.²  Mutesa, L.³  Prasad, G.¹  Jansen, S.²  Coyle, D. H.¹ 

[1] Ulster Univ UU, Intelligent Syst Res Ctr, Magee Campus, Derry BT48 7JL, North Ireland

[2] Univ Rwanda UR, Coll Med & Hlth Sci, Dept Clin Psychol, Huye, Rwanda

[3] Univ Rwanda UR, Coll Med & Hlth Sci, Ctr Human Genet, Sch Med & Pharm, Huye, Rwanda

关键词: Electroencephalography (EEG);    Neurofeedback;    Motor imagery;    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);    Brain-computer interface (BCI);    Rwanda;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.071

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Background: The study examines the effectiveness of both neurofeedback and motor-imagery brain-computer interface (BCI) training, which promotes self-regulation of brain activity, using low-cost electroencephalography (EEG)-based wearable neurotechnology outside a clinical setting, as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Rwanda. Methods: Participants received training/treatment sessions along with a pre- and post- intervention clinical assessment, (N = 29; control n = 9, neurofeedback (NF, 7 sessions) n = 10, and motor-imagery (MI, 6 sessions) n = 10). Feedback was presented visually via a videogame. Participants were asked to regulate (NF) or intentionally modulate (MI) brain activity to affect/control the game. Results: The NF group demonstrated an increase in resting-state alpha 8-12 Hz bandpower following individual training sessions, termed alpha 'rebound' (Pz channel, p = 0.025, all channels, p = 0.024), consistent with previous research findings. This alpha 'rebound', unobserved in the MI group, produced a clinically relevant reduction in symptom severity in NF group, as revealed in three of seven clinical outcome measures: PCL-5 (p = 0.005), PTSD screen (p = 0.005), and HTQ (p = 0.005). Limitations: Data collection took place in environments that posed difficulties in controlling environmental factors. Nevertheless, this limitation improves ecological validity, as neurotechnology treatments must be deployable outside controlled environments, to be a feasible technological treatment. Conclusions: The study produced the first evidence to support a low-cost, neurotechnological solution for neurofeedback as an effective treatment of PTSD for victims of acute trauma in conflict zones in a developing country.

【 授权许可】

Free