Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder--a pilot study.
BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder. Reduction of asymmetry of alpha-activity between left and right prefrontal areas with neurofeedback has been postulated as effective in earlier studies. Unfortunately, methodological shortcomings lim...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2014-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3958393?pdf=render |
| _version_ | 1819037776577822720 |
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| author | Frenk Peeters Mare Oehlen Jacco Ronner Jim van Os Richel Lousberg |
| author_facet | Frenk Peeters Mare Oehlen Jacco Ronner Jim van Os Richel Lousberg |
| author_sort | Frenk Peeters |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder. Reduction of asymmetry of alpha-activity between left and right prefrontal areas with neurofeedback has been postulated as effective in earlier studies. Unfortunately, methodological shortcomings limit conclusions that can be drawn from these studies. In a pilot-study, we investigated the effectiveness of reduction of asymmetry of alpha-activity with neurofeedback in depressed participants with the use of a stringent methodological approach. METHODS: Nine participants meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder were treated with a maximum of 30 neurofeedback-sessions, aimed at reducing asymmetry of alpha-activity, over a 10-week period. No changes in the use of antidepressants were allowed 6 weeks before and during the intervention. Changes in depressive symptomatology were assessed with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms, self-report version. RESULTS: We observed response in 1 and remission in 4 out of a total of 9 participants. The effectiveness appeared largest in female participants. The mean asymmetry of alpha-activity decreased significantly over sessions in a quadratic fashion. This decrease was associated with clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that neurofeedback aimed at a reduction of frontal asymmetry of alpha-activity may be effective as a treatment for depression. However, this was an open label pilot study. Non-specific effects of the procedure and/or a beneficial natural course may have confounded the results. Randomized controlled trials will have to establish the efficacy of neurofeedback for depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Nederlands Trial Register NTR1629. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T08:26:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b2f341859ed746f28c18ee00ffa3cfd9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T08:26:48Z |
| publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-b2f341859ed746f28c18ee00ffa3cfd92022-12-21T19:10:19ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032014-01-0193e9183710.1371/journal.pone.0091837Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder--a pilot study.Frenk PeetersMare OehlenJacco RonnerJim van OsRichel LousbergBACKGROUND: There is growing interest in neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder. Reduction of asymmetry of alpha-activity between left and right prefrontal areas with neurofeedback has been postulated as effective in earlier studies. Unfortunately, methodological shortcomings limit conclusions that can be drawn from these studies. In a pilot-study, we investigated the effectiveness of reduction of asymmetry of alpha-activity with neurofeedback in depressed participants with the use of a stringent methodological approach. METHODS: Nine participants meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder were treated with a maximum of 30 neurofeedback-sessions, aimed at reducing asymmetry of alpha-activity, over a 10-week period. No changes in the use of antidepressants were allowed 6 weeks before and during the intervention. Changes in depressive symptomatology were assessed with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms, self-report version. RESULTS: We observed response in 1 and remission in 4 out of a total of 9 participants. The effectiveness appeared largest in female participants. The mean asymmetry of alpha-activity decreased significantly over sessions in a quadratic fashion. This decrease was associated with clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that neurofeedback aimed at a reduction of frontal asymmetry of alpha-activity may be effective as a treatment for depression. However, this was an open label pilot study. Non-specific effects of the procedure and/or a beneficial natural course may have confounded the results. Randomized controlled trials will have to establish the efficacy of neurofeedback for depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Nederlands Trial Register NTR1629.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3958393?pdf=render |
| spellingShingle | Frenk Peeters Mare Oehlen Jacco Ronner Jim van Os Richel Lousberg Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder--a pilot study. PLoS ONE |
| title | Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder--a pilot study. |
| title_full | Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder--a pilot study. |
| title_fullStr | Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder--a pilot study. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder--a pilot study. |
| title_short | Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder--a pilot study. |
| title_sort | neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder a pilot study |
| url | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3958393?pdf=render |
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