Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and Clients

Objective: Cancer survivors may experience persistent physical and psychological symptoms following completion of cancer treatment. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive form of brain training reported to help with symptoms including pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and cognitive decline; howe...

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Main Authors: Marian F Luctkar-Flude, Jane Tyerman, Dianne Groll
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2019-01-01
Series:Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.apjon.org/article.asp?issn=2347-5625;year=2019;volume=6;issue=1;spage=35;epage=42;aulast=Luctkar-Flude
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author Marian F Luctkar-Flude
Jane Tyerman
Dianne Groll
author_facet Marian F Luctkar-Flude
Jane Tyerman
Dianne Groll
author_sort Marian F Luctkar-Flude
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Cancer survivors may experience persistent physical and psychological symptoms following completion of cancer treatment. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive form of brain training reported to help with symptoms including pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and cognitive decline; however, there is a lack of research exploring its use with cancer survivors. The objective of this study was to describe the experiences of neurofeedback and its impact on the lives of posttreatment cancer survivors as perceived by neurofeedback providers and cancer survivor clients. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study employed semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of interview transcripts. A convenience sample of twelve neurofeedback providers and five cancer survivor clients participated in this study. Results: Thematic analysis revealed seven overarching themes as follows: (1) paying it forward; (2) transforming lives; (3) regaining control; (4) brain healing itself; (5) comforting experience, (6) accessibility, and (7) failure to respond. The first five themes related to benefits of neurofeedback, and the final two related to challenges of using neurofeedback with cancer survivors. Conclusions: Results support the use of neurofeedback to improve quality of life for cancer survivors; however, more research is needed to determine which neurofeedback systems and protocols are most effective for this population with persistent symptoms.
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spelling doaj.art-0d8519debc4c47338f19038026cf6af92023-09-02T19:47:20ZengElsevierAsia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing2347-56252349-66732019-01-0161354210.4103/apjon.apjon_34_18Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and ClientsMarian F Luctkar-FludeJane TyermanDianne GrollObjective: Cancer survivors may experience persistent physical and psychological symptoms following completion of cancer treatment. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive form of brain training reported to help with symptoms including pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and cognitive decline; however, there is a lack of research exploring its use with cancer survivors. The objective of this study was to describe the experiences of neurofeedback and its impact on the lives of posttreatment cancer survivors as perceived by neurofeedback providers and cancer survivor clients. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study employed semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of interview transcripts. A convenience sample of twelve neurofeedback providers and five cancer survivor clients participated in this study. Results: Thematic analysis revealed seven overarching themes as follows: (1) paying it forward; (2) transforming lives; (3) regaining control; (4) brain healing itself; (5) comforting experience, (6) accessibility, and (7) failure to respond. The first five themes related to benefits of neurofeedback, and the final two related to challenges of using neurofeedback with cancer survivors. Conclusions: Results support the use of neurofeedback to improve quality of life for cancer survivors; however, more research is needed to determine which neurofeedback systems and protocols are most effective for this population with persistent symptoms.http://www.apjon.org/article.asp?issn=2347-5625;year=2019;volume=6;issue=1;spage=35;epage=42;aulast=Luctkar-FludeBiofeedbackcancercognitive functionfatigueneurofeedbackqualitative research
spellingShingle Marian F Luctkar-Flude
Jane Tyerman
Dianne Groll
Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and Clients
Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
Biofeedback
cancer
cognitive function
fatigue
neurofeedback
qualitative research
title Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and Clients
title_full Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and Clients
title_fullStr Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and Clients
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and Clients
title_short Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and Clients
title_sort exploring the use of neurofeedback by cancer survivors results of interviews with neurofeedback providers and clients
topic Biofeedback
cancer
cognitive function
fatigue
neurofeedback
qualitative research
url http://www.apjon.org/article.asp?issn=2347-5625;year=2019;volume=6;issue=1;spage=35;epage=42;aulast=Luctkar-Flude
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AT diannegroll exploringtheuseofneurofeedbackbycancersurvivorsresultsofinterviewswithneurofeedbackprovidersandclients