"Study Update 2022" - Here you will find a selection of current neurofeedback studies.
Please find here a selection of current neurofeedback studies:
ILF Neurofeedback Mechanisms and Neurophysiology
Dobrushina, O. et al. (2020). Modulation of Intrinsic Brain Connectivity by Implicit Electroencephalographic Neurofeedback. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 14: 192.
Grin-Yatsenko, V., Kara, O., Evdokimov, S., Gregory, M., Othmer, S. & Kropotov, J. (2020). Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback Modulates Infra-Slow Oscillations of Brain Potentials: A Controlled Study. Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Research, 4, 1-11.
Grin-Yatsenko, V. A., Ponomarev, V. A., Kara, O., Wandernoth, B., Gregory, M., Ilyukhina, V. A., & Kropotov, J. D. (2018). Effect of Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback on Infra-Slow EEG Fluctuations. In Biofeedback. IntechOpen
Dobrushina, O. R. et al. (2018) Exploring the brain contour of implicit infra-low frequency EEG neurofeedback: a resting state fMRI study. Int. J. Psychophysiol. 131, S76 (2018).
Arina, G., Osina, E., Dobrushina, O. & Aziatskaya, G. (2017). Sham-neurofeedback as an intervention: Placebo or nocebo? European Psychiatry, 41, 253-254.
Altan, S., Berberoglu, B., Canan, S. & Dane, S. (2016). Effects of neurofeedback therapy in healthy young subjects. Clin invest Med 39, 27–30.
Dobrushina, O. et al. (2015). The effect of Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback on default mode network of the brain. Conference paper at Applied Neuroscience and Social Well being, Moscow. (in Russian).
Othmer S., Othmer S.F., Kaiser D. & Putman J. (2013). Endogenous Neuromodulation at Infra-Low Frequencies. Seminars in Paediatric Neurology, 20(4), 246-257.
Legarda S., McMahon D., Othmer S. & Othmer SF. (2011). Clinical Neurofeedback: Case Studies, Proposed Mechanism and Implication for Paediatric Neurology Practice. Journal of Child Neurology, 26(8), 1045-1051.
Othmer S., Othmer SF. & Legarda S. (2011). Clinical Neurofeedback: Training Brain Behavior. Pediatric Neurology and Psychiatry, 2, 67-73.
Seuß S, Riederle J. Erfahrungen mit Neurofeedback in der therapeutischen Praxis. Prax Ergotherapie. 2021;2:75–81.
Fleischman, M. J. (2022). Documenting the Impact of Infra Low Frequency Neurofeedback on Underserved Populations With Complex Clinical Presentations. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16, 1–9.
Bazzana F, Finzi S, Di Fini G and Veglia F (2022) Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:920659. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.920659
Kropotov JD (2022) The enigma of infra-slow fluctuations in the human EEG Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:928410. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.928410
ILF Neurofeedback in latest clinical application
Addiction
Corominas-Roso, M. et al. (2020). Benefits of EEG-Neurofeedback on the Modulation of Impulsivity in a Sample of Cocaine and Heroin Long-Term Abstinent Inmates: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 64(12), 1275-1298.
ADHD
Schneider, H., Riederle, J. & Seuss, S. (2021). Therapeutic Effect of Infra-Low_Frequency Neurofeedback Training on Children and Adolescents with ADHD. In: Brain-Computer Interface, Vahid Asadpour ed., IntechOpen Limited, 2021:13, doi: 10.5772/intechopen.97938
Ahlstrand, P. & Grattbeck, M. Neurofeedback - ett behandlingsalternativ vid ADHD. (2013).
Prinz, W. (2015). Neurofeedbacktherapie als Spezialtherapieangebot. Psychopraxis. Neuropraxis 18, 180–183.
Flatz, T. & Gleußner, M. (2014). Neurofeedbacktherapie bei ADHS und Autismus. Pädiatrie & Pädologie 49, 22–27.
Aging & Parkinson’s
Dobrushina, O. R. et al. (2022). Enhancing Brain Connectivity With Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback During Aging : A Pilot Study. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16, 1–12.
Legarda SB, Michas-Martin PA and McDermott D (2022) Managing Intractable Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease: A Nonsurgical Approach Employing Infralow Frequency Neuromodulation. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:894781. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.894781
Autism
Rauter, A., Schneider, H. & Prinz, W. (2022). Effectivity of ILF Neurofeedback on Autism spectrum disorder – a Case Study. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16.
Prinz, W. (2015). Neurofeedbacktherapie als Spezialtherapieangebot. psychopraxis. neuropraxis 18, 180-183. (in German)
Flatz, T. & Gleußner, M. (2014). Neurofeedbacktherapie bei ADHS und Autismus. Pädiatrie & Pädologie 49, 22–27.
Othmer S. & Othmer S.F. (2011). Neurofeedback for the Autism Spectrum. In K. Siri and T. Lyons (Eds.), Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism (262-267). Skyhorse Publishing.
Rauter, A., Schneider, H., Prinz, W. & Study, C. (2022). Effectivity of ILF Neurofeedback on Autism Spectrum Disorder — A Case Study. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16, 1–6.
Brain Injury
Carlson, J. & Ross, G. (2021). Neurofeedback Impact on Chronic Headache, Sleep and Attention Disorders Experienced by Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Study. Biofeedback, 49(1), 2-9.
Annaheim C, Hug K, Stumm C, Messerli M, Simon Y and Hund-Georgiadis M (2022) Neurofeedback in patients with frontal brain lesions: A randomized, controlled double-blind trial. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:979723. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.979723
Depression
Grin-Yatsenko, V. A. et al. (2018) Infra-low frequency neurofeedback in depression: Three case studies. NeuroRegulation 5, 30–42.
Grin-Yatsenko, V. A., & Kropotov, J. D. (2020). Effect of infra-low frequency neurofeedback on the functional state of the brain in health and depressed individuals. In H. W. Kirk (Ed.), Restoring the brain: Neurofeedback as an integrative approach to health (2nd ed.). Routledge, pp. 244-255.
Eating disorders
Chirita-Emandi, A., & Puiu, M. (2014). Outcomes of neurofeedback training in childhood obesity management: A pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20(11), 831–837.
Leong, S. L., Vanneste, S., Lim, J., Smith, M., Manning, P., & De Ridder, D. (2018). A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial of closed-loop infraslow brain training in food addiction. Scientific reports, 8(1), 1-9.
Winkeler, A., Winkeler, M. & Imgart, H. (2022). Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Patients With Chronic Eating Disorder and Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16, 1–11..
Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, Concussion
Ingvaldsen, S. H. (2019). QEEG and Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback Training in Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study (Master's thesis, NTNU).
Lamprecht, C. E. (2019). The effect of neurofeedback in post-concussion syndrome. Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch University.
Legarda, S. B., Lahti, C. E., Mcdermott, D. & Michas-martin, A. (2022). Use of Novel Concussion Protocol With Infralow Frequency Neuromodulation Demonstrates Significant Treatment Response in Patients With Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms , a Retrospective Study. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16, 1–16.
Dobrushina, O. R., Varako, N. A., Kovyazina, M. S. & Zinchenko, Y. P. (2016). Combination of Neurofeedback and cognitive training in attention deficit due to multiple sclerosis. Int. J. Psychophysiol. 108, 118.
Insomnia
Orakpo N, Yuan C, Olukitibi O, Burdette J and Arrington K (2022) Does Virtual Reality Feedback at Infra-Low Frequency Improve Centralized Pain With Comorbid Insomnia While Mitigating Risks for Sedative Use Disorder?: A Case Report. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:915376. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.915376
Moore PT (2022) Infra-low frequency neurofeedback and insomnia as a model of CNS dysregulation. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:959491. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.959491
Migraine & Tension Headache
Dobrushina, O., Arina, G., Osina, E. & Aziatskaya, G. (2017). Clinical and psychological confirmation of stabilizing effect of neurofeedback in migraine. European Psychiatry, 41.
Arina, G. A. et al. (2022). Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback in Tension-Type Headache : A Cross-Over Sham-Controlled Study. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16, 1–9.
Legarda SB, Michas-Martin PA and McDermott D (2022) Remediating Intractable Headache: An Effective Nonpharmacological Approach Employing Infralow Frequency Neuromodulation. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:894856. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.894856
Pain
Orakpo N, Yuan C, Olukitibi O, Burdette J and Arrington K (2022) Does Virtual Reality Feedback at Infra-Low Frequency Improve Centralized Pain With Comorbid Insomnia While Mitigating Risks for Sedative Use Disorder?: A Case Report. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:915376. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.915376
Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness
Sasu R (2022) Infra-low frequency neurofeedback in persistent postural-perceptual dizziness—Case report. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:959579. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.959579
PTSD
Gerge, A. (2020). A multifaceted case-vignette integrating neurofeedback and EMDR in the treatment of complex PTSD. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 4(3), 100157.
Nilsson, R. M. & Nilsson, V. (2014). Neurofeedback Treatment for Traumatized Refugees-A Pilot Study. Lund University, Department of Psychology.
Othmer, S., Othmer, S. F. & Legarda, S. B. (2011). Clinical Neurofeedback: Training Brain Behavior. Treat. Strateg. Pediatr. Neurol. Psychiatry 2, 67–73.
Othmer, S. & Othmer, S. F. (2009). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—The Neurofeedback Remedy. Biofeedback 37, 24–31.
Dahl, M. G. (2020). Neurofeedback with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. In H. W. Kirk (Ed.), Restoring the brain:Neurofeedback as an integrative approach to health (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge, pp.256-284.
Spreyermann, R. (2022). Case Report : Infra-Low-Frequency Neurofeedback for PTSD : A Therapist ’ s Perspective. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16.
Winkeler, A., Winkeler, M. & Imgart, H. (2022). Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Patients With Chronic Eating Disorder and Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16, 1–11.
Kirk HW and Dahl MG (2022) Infra Low Frequency Neurofeedback Training for Trauma Recovery: A Case Report. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:905823. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.905823
Refractory neurological disorders (Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy)
Legarda, S. B., McMahon, D., Othmer, S. S. & Othmer, S. S. (2011). Clinical neurofeedback: Case studies, proposed mechanism, and implications for pediatric neurology practice. J. Child Neurol. 26, 1045–1051.
Schizophrenia
Nestoros JN and Vallianatou NG (2022) Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback rapidly ameliorates schizophrenia symptoms: A case report of the first session. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:923695. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.923695
Tinnitus
Güntensperger, D. (2018). Treatment of chronic tinnitus with neurofeedback. (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Zurich). (Attn: they have primarily used frequency band NFB training in their studies and are (just) referring to ILF-NFB)
Güntensperger, D., Thüring, C., Meyer, M., Neff, P. Kleinjung, T. (2017). Neurofeedback for Tinnitus Treatment - Review and Current Concepts. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9,386. (Attn: they have primarily used frequency band NFB training in their studies and are (just) referring to ILF-NFB)
Tourette
Solberg B and Solberg E (2022) Infra-low frequency neurofeedback in application to Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders: A clinical case series. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16:891924. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.891924
Virtual Reality NFB in Pain Treatment
Orakpo, N., Vieux, U. & Castro-Nunez, C. (2021). Case Report: Virtual Reality Neurofeedback Therapy as a Novel Modality for Sustained Analgesia in Centralized Pain Syndromes. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 418. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.660105
Orakpo, N., Yuan, C., Olukitibi, O., Burdette, J. & Arrington, K. (2022).Does Virtual Reality Feedback at Infra-Low Frequency Improve Centralized Pain With Comorbid Insomnia While Mitigating Risks for Sedative Use Disorder ?: A Case Report. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 16, 1–5.
Books and book chapters on ILF Neurofeedback
Othmer S. (2019). Protocol Guide for Neurofeedback Clinicians, 7th Edition. EEG Info
Kirk H. (2015) Restoring the Brain: Neurofeedback as an Integrative Approach to Health. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.
Othmer, S. & Othmer, S. F. (2011). Performance Enhancement Applications of Neurofeedback. In Case Studies in Applied Psychophysiology: Neurofeedback and Biofeedback Treatments for Advances in Human Performance 17–30. Wiley-Blackwell.
Kirk, H. W. (2020) Restoring the Brain: Neurofeedback as an Integrative Approach to Health. Second Edition, Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
Study supports use of ILF neurofeedback in integrative treatment of primary headaches
Eight patients with tension headache received 10 sessions of ILF neurofeedback and 10 sessions of sham neurofeedback in random order. The intervention was in addition to a baseline psychotherapeutic intervention. Results of the study titled "Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback in Tension-Type Headache: A Cross-Over Sham-Controlled Study" from Arina et al. showed that compared to sham treatment, the frequency of headaches after treatment with ILF neurofeedback, was significantly lower.
Neurofeedback and headache
Although neurofeedback is increasingly used for chronic pain, its effectiveness for headaches has been little studied. Yet headaches are among the most common conditions; 38% of the adult population actively suffers from tension headaches (Jensen and Stovner, 2008). In treatment, non-drug treatments, including biofeedback and neuromodulation, are promising alternatives to medication (Nestoriuc et al., 2008; Bendtsen et al., 2010; Ailani et al., 2021).
Neurofeedback uses brain signals and aims to therapeutically modulate a dysfunctional brain state, such as an imbalance in electroencephalographic (EEG) activity or altered intrinsic connectivity patterns (Ros et al., 2013; Marzbani et al., 2016; Nicholson et al., 2016; Dobrushina et al., 2020). In the present study, infra-low frequency (ILF) neurofeedback was applied, which targets the slow brain fluctuations. In practice, neurofeedback is already widely used in the treatment of headache (Othmer, 2017). However, a sham-controlled study in patients with tension headache has not yet been conducted.
Study and methods
The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the effects of low-frequency EEG neurofeedback in patients with tension headache using a sham-controlled cross-over study. 8 patients, aged between 18 and 45 years, diagnosed with tension headache, received 10 sessions of neurofeedback treatment and 10 sessions of sham neurofeedback treatment in two intervention phases. The order (neurofeedback first or sham neurofeedback first) was randomized. In addition, the mechanisms of tension headache, including the benign nature of the headache and the risk of medication overdose, and progressive muscle relaxation training were explained to all participating subjects. Patients received an audio recording of the relaxation technique and were asked to use it three times per week. During the study period, participating subjects were required to keep a headache diary that included information on the duration and intensity of headaches and medication use.
Neurofeedback sessions were conducted according to the Othmer protocol. Furthermore, the NeuroAmp as well as the Cygnet software of the BEE Medic company were used.
Results and implications
Results of the study showed a significant effect of neurofeedback and no effect of sham sessions. Treatment with neurofeedback reduced the frequency of tension headaches. Sham sessions, on the other hand, resulted in a placebo effect in one participant and a nocebo effect in two others. Furthermore, it was found that beliefs about neurofeedback and behavior during the sessions did not influence the effectiveness of neurofeedback.
In conclusion, the results of the study support the use of low-frequency neurofeedback in the integrative treatment of patients with tension headaches.
Read the entire study here.
References
Ailani, J., Burch, R. C., and Robbins, M. S. (2021). The American Headache Society Consensus Statement: update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache J. Head Face Pain 61, 1021–1039. doi: 10.1111/head.14153
Bendtsen, L., Evers, S., Linde, M., Mitsikostas, D. D., Sandrini, G., and Schoenen, J. (2010). EFNS guideline on the treatment of tension-type headache - Report of an EFNS task force. Eur. J. Neurol. 17, 1318–1325. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03070.x
Dobrushina, O. R., Vlasova, R. M., Rumshiskaya, A. D., Litvinova, L. D., Mershina, E. A., Sinitsyn, V. E., et al. (2020). Modulation of intrinsic brain connectivity by implicit electroencephalographic neurofeedback. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 14:192. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00192
Jensen, R., and Stovner, L. J. (2008). Epidemiology and comorbidity of headache. Lancet Neurol. 7, 354–361. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(08)70062-0
Marzbani, H., Marateb, H. R., and Mansourian, M. (2016). Neurofeedback: a comprehensive review on system design, methodology and clinical applications. Basic Clin. Neurosci. 7, 143–158. doi: 10.15412/J.BCN.03070208
Nestoriuc, Y., Rief, W., and Martin, A. (2008). Meta-analysis of biofeedback for tension-type headache: efficacy, specificity, and treatment moderators. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 76, 379–396. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.76.3.379
Expert webinar "Let's talk about neurofeedback" - On World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2022.
Webinar on World Mental Health Day
October 10 is World Mental Health Day. Based on the motto "Talking lifts your spirits - mentally healthy in our society", BEE Medic GmbH is hosting a free webinar entitled "Let's talk about neurofeedback" at 6:00 pm. Neurofeedback experts Dr. Meike Wiedemann and Veronika Kreitmayr will discuss the questions of what it actually means to be mentally healthy, what role neurofeedback can play in therapy and, above all, how therapists can benefit from working with neurofeedback.
Mental health is an essential factor for our quality of life. Especially the pandemic of the last years has increased the awareness for this, but the need for effective therapy as well as the load for therapists has increased significantly. Neurofeedback can play an important role here, on the one hand as an effective therapy module for patients, on the other hand it can also facilitate the everyday work of behavior therapists.
The expert webinar on October 10, 2022, will cover how.
"Let's Talk About Neurofeedback"
Live from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with Dr. rer. nat. Meike Wiedemann and Veronika Kreitmayr.
The webinar is aimed at therapeutic and health care professionals working in behavioral and psychotherapeutic settings from the fields of (child and adolescent) psychiatry, (neuro)psychology, or occupational therapy, as well as other professional groups.
All participants can ask questions and participate in live discussions via a chat tool.
Participation is free of charge and possible after registration under the following link.
Please be aware that the webinar is held in German language.
The experts:
Dr. Meike Wiedemann is a neurobiologist. In her research for European space agencies (ESA, DLR, CNES) she investigated the effects of gravitational conditions on the brain. She first encountered neurofeedback in 1995 as part of her university work. Fascinated by the effects, she completed a naturopathic training in order to be able to work with neurofeedback. Since 2002 she runs a neurofeedback practice in Stuttgart. Since 2009 she is active in teaching and leads the training department at BEE Medic. She is author and co-author of several articles and reference books, including the standard work "Praxisbuch Biofeedback und Neurofeedback", published by Springer Medizin Verlag, and "Neurofeedback: Wie eine spielerisch leichte Therapie dem Gehirn hilft, Probleme zu überwinden", published by Kösel Verlag.
Veronika Kreitmayr studied psychology at the University of Vienna. In her professional career, she worked for 12 years as a sports psychologist for the Red Bull Training and Diagnostic Center, where she worked with various neurofeedback approaches. In 2016, she founded her own practice near Salzburg, where she specializes mainly in peak performance, but also mental illness. She also works internationally as a lecturer in neurofeedback and trains colleagues in German and English to work with neurofeedback.
Mental Health Week at BEE Medic
Mental Health Week
Mental health is an essential factor for our quality of life. Especially in recent years, the topic has become a focus of attention. At the same time, the need for support and therapy has increased, as has the workload for therapists.
This is also illustrated by a study conducted by the DAK in 2021, which shows that the number of days of absence due to mental illness increased again in 2021. At 276 days of absence per 100 insured persons, a new all-time high has been reached. A large proportion of the absences are due to depression. The consequences are far-reaching. Both for patients, who urgently need access to therapy, and for therapists, whose waiting lists continue to grow.
Mental Health Week, which takes place October 10-20, also revolves around the topic. Under this year's motto "Talking lifts the spirits - mentally healthy in our society", the focus is on getting into conversation with each other, developing understanding for each other and removing the taboos surrounding mental illness.
Neurofeedback and Mental Health
We also want to join this motto on the World Mental Health Day. Therefore, we would like to talk about Neurofeedback, which can be a building block in the therapy of mental illnesses. Neurofeedback aims to improve the brain's ability to self-regulate and thus, above all, to alleviate symptoms of mental illness. By focusing on symptom improvement, Neurofeedback brings a certain lightness to therapy, because it usually becomes apparent very quickly whether patients respond to Neurofeedback. First successes motivate and also especially performance-oriented people usually find a good access to Neurofeedback, because it does not "feel like therapy" at all. The setting is relaxing and the brain does the Neurofeedback "by itself". And also for therapists Neurofeedback usually means calm work and thus also relief and ease into the daily therapy routine.
Expert talk on World Mental Health Day
Therefore, we will talk about Neurofeedback and mental health in an exciting webinar with Neurofeedback experts Dr. rer. nat. Wiedemann and Veronika Kreitmayr on October 10. Among other things, they will talk about what mental health actually means and how Neurofeedback can help, as well as about their personal experiences and how they benefit from Neurofeedback.
Please note that the webinar will be held in German.
Inviation to the open house at BEE Medic
We would also like to meet you personally and therefore open the doors of our office in Forchheim on Saturday, 10/15/22. In addition to exciting presentations on the topic of Neurofeedback, you will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with our experts on site. For professional users we also offer live demonstrations of a Neurofeedback setting.
More information on the webinar and the open house can be found here.
Source: https://www.dak.de/dak/bundesthemen/krankenstand-2021-2526908.html#/
Neurofeedback as a therapy component for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
What is ASD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a profound developmental disorder that begins in (early) childhood. Diagnostic criteria include deficits in social communication and interaction, limited repetitive behavioral patterns such as inflexible holding on to routines and hyper-/ or hypoactivity to sensory stimuli. Functions of speech, visual spatial skills and movement coordination are often affected by developmental limitations or delays. The term spectrum disorder indicates that different forms of autistic disorders can be distinguished, especially early childhood autism, atypical autism and Asperger syndrome.
Indicating a prevalence for ASD is not trivial, as there is no uniform approach or criteria, and numbers are not available for all regions worldwide. It may be possible to estimate a prevalence of approximately 1.5% for ASD in industrialized countries (see literature 1). The clinical appearance of ASD changes considerably over the life span from infancy to adulthood, both in core symptoms and compensation strategies.
Neurofeedback as an option in a multimodal therapy approach
Neurofeedback can be used as a block of therapy for those affected by the autism spectrum. Recent research into the neurophysiology of autism spectrum disorders has shown that autistic individuals have different connectivity networks and specific regions of hyper- and hypo-connectivity than healthy subjects in comparison with a control group (see literature 2). Other theories, such as those on altered mirror neuron activity, or hypotheses on the Theory of Mind and the Polyvagal Theory, also emphasize neurological differences for patients with ASD.
The effect of Neurofeedback is alteration of dysregulated brain activity. It is known from studies that patterns of resting EEG and evoked potentials in patients with ASD differ from those of healthy populations. The effect of neurofeedback on the brain has been confirmed in a recently published study. The functional connectivity (communication between neurons) in the brains of subjects was examined by fMRI before and after a 30-minute neurofeedback session. After the neurofeedback session, an increased connectivity of neurons in the brain was found (see literature 3). From these results it can be deduced, among other things, that neurofeedback not only has a positive effect on the symptoms of illnesses but can also cause effects in the brain and thus possibly change connectivity patterns in the long term, such as those that occur in chronic pain. These results support the hypothesis of neurofeedback as a method of improving the self-regulating capacity of the brain.
State of Research: Neurofeedback in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Due to the functional neuroanatomical abnormalities in patients with ASD, neurofeedback can be an effective treatment method for reducing the symptoms of dysregulation (see literature 4). This hypothesis is strengthened in a controlled study, in which ASD patients had a reduction of cerebral hyper-connectivity after 20 sessions of Neurofeedback as well as a significant reduction of the symptoms by the treatment (see literature 5). It is also shown that neurofeedback in combination with other treatment methods is a possibility to improve the patients' performance (see literature 6). A follow-up study shows that 12 months after the Neurofeedback treatment, the obtained improvements are still present (see literature 7), which indicates that Neurofeedback not only helps with the current symptoms, but it also helps the brain to improve the executive functions.
Previous work (literature 8) and a recent review of the existing literature concludes that neurofeedback is a promising treatment for autism and cites the evaluation of numerous studies and case reports (see literature 9). However, it is also noted that further studies, particularly controlled and randomized studies, should be conducted to evaluate further details of treatment conditions.
Literature
1. Fombonne, E. Editorial: The rising prevalence of autism. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry Allied Discip. 59, 717–720 (2018).
2. Holiga, Š. et al. Patients with autism spectrum disorders display reproducible functional connectivity alterations. Sci. Transl. Med. 11, (2019).
3. Dobrushina, O. R. et al. Modulation of Intrinsic Brain Connectivity by Implicit Electroencephalographic Neurofeedback. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 14, 1–13 (2020).
4. Thompson, L., Thompson, M. & Reid, A. Functional neuroanatomy and the rationale for using EEG biofeedback for clients with Asperger’s syndrome. Appl. Psychophysiol. Biofeedback 35, 39–61 (2010).
5. Coben, R. & Padolsky, I. Assessment-Guided Neurofeedback for Autistic Spectrum Disorder. J. Neurother. 11, 37–41 (2008).
6. Knezevic, B., Thompson, L. & Thompson, M. Pilot Project to Ascertain the Utility of Tower of London Test to Assess Outcomes of Neurofeedback in Clients with Asperger’s Syndrome. J. Neurother. Investig. Neuromodulation 14, 3–19 (2010).
7. Kouijzer, M. E. J., de Moor, J. M. H., Gerrits, B. J. L., Buitelaar, J. K. & van Schie, H. T. Long-term effects of neurofeedback treatment in autism. Res. Autism Spectr. Disord. 3, 496–501 (2009).
8. Coben, R., Linden, M. & Myers, T. E. Neurofeedback for autistic spectrum disorder: A review of the literature. Appl. Psychophysiol. Biofeedback 35, 83–105 (2010).
9. Van Hoogdalem, L. E., Feijs, H. M. E., Bramer, W. M., Ismail, S. Y. & Van Dongen, J. D. M. The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children: A Systematic Review. J. Psychophysiol. (2020). doi:10.1027/0269-8803/a000265
Franziska Linder
Profile
After a personal reorientation, Franziska Linder completed her training with a diploma as a bio- and neurofeedback therapist. Since 2018, she has been offering training and coaching in her practice newSTEPs in the greater Zurich area. She works with children, adolescents and adults. In addition to biofeedback and neurofeedback, she also supports her clients with various coaching methods, including solution-focused brief therapy and sleep coaching. She also works as a special therapist at the Hohenegg Private Clinic. The clinic focuses on depression, burnout, anxiety, trauma and psychosomatic disorders. In this capacity, she has gained a great deal of experience in stress profiling, among other things.
Experience with neurofeedback
- Works with Bio- and Neurofeedback since 2017
Course portfolio
- Basic Trainings
- Indication Based Trainings
Languages
- German
- English
- French