RESUMEN
Neurofeedback has begun to attract the attention and scrutiny of the scientific and medical mainstream. Here, neurofeedback researchers present a consensus-derived checklist that aims to improve the reporting and experimental design standards in the field.
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Lista de Verificación/métodos , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Adulto , Consenso , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Revisión de la Investigación por Pares , Proyectos de Investigación/normas , Participación de los InteresadosRESUMEN
This pilot study evaluated the possibility that 2 interventions hypothesized to increase slower brain oscillations (e.g., theta) may enhance the efficacy of hypnosis treatment, given evidence that hypnotic responding is associated with slower brain oscillations. Thirty-two individuals with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain, fatigue, or both, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 interventions thought to increase slow wave activity (mindfulness meditation or neurofeedback training) or no enhancing intervention, and then given 5 sessions of self-hypnosis training targeting their presenting symptoms. The findings supported the potential for both neurofeedback and mindfulness to enhance response to hypnosis treatment. Research using larger sample sizes to determine the generalizability of these findings is warranted.
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Hipnosis/métodos , Atención Plena/métodos , Esclerosis Múltiple/terapia , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Electroencefalografía , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Manejo del Dolor/métodos , Proyectos PilotoRESUMEN
This proof of principle study examined the potential benefits of EEG neurofeedback for increasing responsiveness to self-hypnosis training for chronic pain management. The study comprised 20 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who received 5 sessions of self-hypnosis training--1 face-to-face session and 4 prerecorded sessions. Participants were randomly assigned to have the prerecorded sessions preceded by either (a) EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback) training to increase left anterior theta power (NF-HYP) or (b) a relaxation control condition (RLX-HYP). Eighteen participants completed all treatment sessions and assessments. NF-HYP participants reported greater reductions in pain than RLX-HYP participants. The findings provide support for the potential treatment-enhancing effects of neurofeedback on hypnotic analgesia and also suggest that effective hypnosis treatment can be provided very efficiently.
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Analgesia/métodos , Hipnosis/métodos , Esclerosis Múltiple/terapia , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Electroencefalografía , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Esclerosis Múltiple/psicología , Dolor/etiología , Manejo del Dolor/métodosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Electroencephalography (EEG) is a widely used neuroimaging technique with applications in healthcare, research, assessment, treatment, and neurorehabilitation. Conventional EEG systems require extensive setup time, expensive equipment, and expertise to utilize and therefore are often limited to clinical or laboratory settings. Technological advancements have made it possible to develop wireless EEG systems with dry electrodes to reduce many of these barriers. However, due to the lack of homogeneity in hardware, electrode evaluation, and methodological procedures the clinical acceptance of these systems has been limited. METHODS: In this investigation the validity of a wireless dry electrode system compared to a conventional wet electrode system was assessed, while addressing methodological limitations. In Experiment 1, the signal output of both EEG systems was examined at Fz, C3, Cz, C4, and Pz using a conductive head model and generated test signals at 2.5 Hz, 10 Hz, and 39 Hz. In Experiment 2, two-minutes of eyes-closed and eyes-open EEG data was recorded simultaneously with both devices from the adjacent electrode sites in a sample of healthy adults. RESULTS: Between group effects and frequency*device and electrode*device interactions were assessed using a mixed ANOVA for the simulated and in vivo signal output, producing no significant effects . Bivariate correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between electrode pairs during the simultaneous in vivo recordings, indicating a significant positive relationship (all p's < .05) and larger correlation coefficients (r > ± 0.5) between the dry and wet electrode signal amplitude were observed for theta, alpha, beta 1, beta 2, beta 3, and gamma in both the eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This report demonstrates preliminary but compelling evidence that EEG data recorded from the wireless dry electrode system is comparable to data recorded from a conventional system. Small correlation values in delta activity were discussed in relation to minor differences in hardware filter settings, variation in electrode placement, and participant artifacts observer during the simultaneous EEG recordings. Study limitations and impact of this research on neurorehabilitation were discussed.
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Encéfalo/fisiología , Electrodos , Electroencefalografía/instrumentación , Tecnología Inalámbrica/instrumentación , Adulto , Artefactos , Electroencefalografía/métodos , Femenino , Cabeza , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Pain catastrophizing is thought to play a causal role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain and its negative impact on functioning. However, few studies have examined the factors that might contribute to the development and maintenance of catastrophizing. The Anterior Asymmetry and Emotion (AAE) model hypothesizes that more activity in left anterior brain regions is associated with a tendency to engage in approach responses (often, but not always, associated with positive valance), and that more right anterior activity is associated with a tendency to engage in more withdrawal responses (often associated with negative valance). Given the consistent associations found between catastrophizing and both (1) approach versus avoidance pain coping style; and (2) affective responses to pain, the AAE model would predict that more left (vs. right) anterior brain activity would prospectively predict future catastrophizing. METHODS: Anterior asymmetry measures computed using electroencephalogram data from 30 individuals with spinal cord injury were correlated with catastrophizing scores obtained 2 years after the electroencephalograph recording. RESULTS: Consistent with the AAE model, anterior asymmetry scores reflecting greater left than right anterior activity were negatively associated with subsequent catastrophizing. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings identify a biological factor that may be associated with greater vulnerability to pain-related catastrophizing. If replicated in future research, the findings suggest new possibilities for treating catastrophizing, which may then contribute to improved pain treatment outcomes.
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Ritmo alfa/fisiología , Catastrofización , Dolor Crónico/fisiopatología , Dolor Crónico/psicología , Lateralidad Funcional/fisiología , Adulto , Anciano , Electroencefalografía , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the associations between baseline electroencephalogram (EEG)-assessed brain oscillations and subsequent response to four neuromodulatory treatments. Based on available research, we hypothesized that baseline theta oscillations would prospectively predict response to hypnotic analgesia. Analyses involving other oscillations and the other treatments (meditation, neurofeedback, and both active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation) were viewed as exploratory, given the lack of previous research examining brain oscillations as predictors of response to these other treatments. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study of single sessions of four neuromodulatory pain treatments and a control procedure. METHODS: Thirty individuals with spinal cord injury and chronic pain had their EEG recorded before each session of four active treatments (hypnosis, meditation, EEG biofeedback, transcranial direct current stimulation) and a control procedure (sham transcranial direct stimulation). RESULTS: As hypothesized, more presession theta power was associated with greater response to hypnotic analgesia. In exploratory analyses, we found that less baseline alpha power predicted pain reduction with meditation. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the idea that different patients respond to different pain treatments and that between-person treatment response differences are related to brain states as measured by EEG. The results have implications for the possibility of enhancing pain treatment response by either 1) better patient/treatment matching or 2) influencing brain activity before treatment is initiated in order to prepare patients to respond. Research is needed to replicate and confirm the findings in additional samples of individuals with chronic pain.
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Encéfalo/fisiología , Dolor Crónico/terapia , Manejo del Dolor/métodos , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/complicaciones , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios Cruzados , Electroencefalografía , Femenino , Humanos , Hipnosis/métodos , Masculino , Meditación/métodos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Manejo del Dolor/psicología , Estimulación Transcraneal de Corriente Directa/métodos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To (1) evaluate the effects of a single session of four non-pharmacological pain interventions, relative to a sham tDCS procedure, on pain and electroencephalogram- (EEG-) assessed brain oscillations, and (2) determine the extent to which procedure-related changes in pain intensity are associated with changes in brain oscillations. METHODS: 30 individuals with spinal cord injury and chronic pain were given an EEG and administered measures of pain before and after five procedures (hypnosis, meditation, transcranial direct current stimulation [tDCS], neurofeedback, and a control sham tDCS procedure). RESULTS: Each procedure was associated with a different pattern of changes in brain activity, and all active procedures were significantly different from the control procedure in at least three bandwidths. Very weak and mostly non-significant associations were found between changes in EEG-assessed brain activity and pain. CONCLUSIONS: Different non-pharmacological pain treatments have distinctive effects on brain oscillation patterns. However, changes in EEG-assessed brain oscillations are not significantly associated with changes in pain, and therefore such changes do not appear useful for explaining the benefits of these treatments. SIGNIFICANCE: The results provide new findings regarding the unique effects of four non-pharmacological treatments on pain and brain activity.
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Encéfalo/fisiopatología , Electroencefalografía , Nocicepción/fisiología , Manejo del Dolor/métodos , Adulto , Enfermedad Crónica , Terapia por Estimulación Eléctrica/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Hipnosis , Masculino , Meditación , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neurorretroalimentación , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/complicaciones , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/terapia , Estimulación Magnética Transcraneal/métodos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Chronic pain, usually refractory to analgesics, is a significant problem for many individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Preliminary studies suggest that electroencephalography (EEG) biofeedback (also known as neurofeedback, NF) has the potential to help patients with otherwise refractory chronic pain. However, there remain many unanswered questions about the effects and mechanisms of this treatment. We studied 13 individuals with SCI and chronic pain with NF. Ten of the 13 individuals completed 4 sessions each of three different neurofeedback protocols assigned in random order for a total of 12 NF sessions. All three protocols had similar immediate effects on pain intensity. In addition, the participants reported modest pre- to post-treatment decreases in worst pain and pain unpleasantness following completion of the 12 NF sessions. These improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up. The majority of the participants felt they benefited from and were satisfied with the treatment. No significant effects on measures of other outcome domains (sleep quality, pain interference and fatigue) were observed, although there was a non-significant trend for an increase in fatigue. Finally, pre- to post-treatment changes in EEG bandwidth activity, consistent with the training protocols, were observed in θ and α but not ß frequencies. The findings provide preliminary support for the potential efficacy of NF for the treatment of SCI-related pain, and suggest that further clinical studies are warranted.
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Dolor Crónico/terapia , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Manejo del Dolor/métodos , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/complicaciones , Médula Espinal/fisiopatología , Adulto , Anciano , Atención , Dolor Crónico/etiología , Dolor Crónico/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dimensión del Dolor , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/fisiopatología , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Neurofeedback is a machine-mediated noninvasive treatment modality based on the analysis and "feeding back" of electroencephalogram brainwaves, which has shown efficacy with a variety of central nervous system-based problems. It has special application where patients have adverse reaction to psychopharmacologic treatments and psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy have proved ineffective. Treatment modalities include active forms based on operant conditioning, involving a subject's response to stimuli. Neurofeedback is strong in clinical confirmations of efficacy (case studies) and has thus far limited controlled studies in the peer-reviewed journals.
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Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Central/terapia , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Central/fisiopatología , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Central/psicología , HumanosRESUMEN
Neurofeedback may be useful for improving sports performance but few studies have examined this potential. Here we present data of five development players from a major league baseball team. The aims were to evaluate the feasibility of conducting sessions within a professional organization, assess changes in quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG), NeuroPerformance Profile™, and report qualitative self-report data before and after brain training. The EEG was recorded with 19 electrodes for 20 min of baseline conditions and approximately 21 min of a continuous performance test. The fast Fourier transform analysis provided average cross-spectral matrices for bands delta (1-3.5 Hz), theta (4-7.5 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), low beta (13-16 Hz), beta 1 (13-21 Hz), beta 2 (22-32 Hz), and gamma (32-45 Hz) from the pre and post intervention evaluations in the baseline condition of eyes open. The continuous performance test metrics included the errors of omission, errors of commission, response time and response time variability. The 9 scales of the NeuroPerformance Profile™ were examined. The QEEG data, CPT data and NeuroPerformance Profile™ data were all compared between the pre and post 15 sessions of brain training using a within subject paired t test design corrected for multiple comparisons using false discovery rate method. Following brain training, comparative QEEG, CPT and NeuroPerformance Profile™ analyses illustrated significant differences. The QEEG findings of all participants illustrated significant changes within the training parameters but also across other frequency bands and electrode sites. Overall, the positive findings in both objective and subjective measures suggest further inquiry into the utility of brain training for performance enhancement with the specific application of sport is warranted. Particularly QEEG and CPT gains were noted in the areas that correspond to client self-report data demonstrating improvement in attention, decreased intrusive thought patterns and improvements in sleep patterns.
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Béisbol/fisiología , Encéfalo/fisiología , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Adolescente , Análisis de Fourier , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Previous investigations of electroencephalograms during relaxation have identified increases in slow wave band power, correlations between increased levels of alpha activity with lower levels of anxiety, and autonomic changes characterized by otherwise documented decreased sympathetic activity. This study was carried out to determine the overall changes in quantitative electroencephalographic activity and the current source as a result of an acute session of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback in a population of subjects experiencing stress. This study's findings provide physiological evidence of RSA feedback effect and suggest that RSA training may decrease arousal by promoting an increase of alpha band frequencies and decrease in beta frequencies overall and in areas critical to the regulation of stress. It was of interest that novices could achieve these objective alterations in EEG activity after minimal training and intervention periods considering that the previous literature on EEG and meditative states involve experienced meditators or participants who had been given extensive training. Additionally, these effects were present immediately following the training suggesting that the intervention may have effects beyond the actual practice.
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Biorretroalimentación Psicológica , Electroencefalografía , Respiración , Estrés Psicológico/terapia , Adolescente , Adulto , Análisis de Varianza , Nivel de Alerta/fisiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas , Procesamiento de Señales Asistido por Computador , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: Two lines of evidence about the association between the experience of pain and brain state (measured via electroencephalogram or EEG) have recently come to light. First, research from a number of sources suggests a link between brain EEG activity and the experience of pain. Specifically, this research suggests that the subjective experience of pain is associated with relatively lower amplitudes of slower wave (delta, theta, and alpha) activity and relatively higher amplitudes of faster wave (beta) activity. Second, there has been a recent increase in interest in interventions that impact the cortical neuromodulation of pain, including behavioral treatments (such as self-hypnosis training and neurofeedback) and both invasive and noninvasive brain stimulation. Although a direct causal link between experience of pain and brain activity as measured by EEG has not been established, the targeting of pain treatment at a cortical level by trying to affect EEG rhythms directly is an intriguing possibility. PERSPECTIVE: Preliminary evidence suggests the possibility, which has not yet adequately tested or proven, that the experience of chronic pain is linked to cortical activity as assessed via an electroencephalogram. Support for this hypothesis would have important implications for understanding the mechanisms that underlie a number of pain treatments, and for developing new innovative treatments for chronic pain management.
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Estimulación Eléctrica/métodos , Neurotransmisores/uso terapéutico , Manejo del Dolor , Biorretroalimentación Psicológica , Corteza Cerebral/efectos de los fármacos , Corteza Cerebral/fisiología , Corteza Cerebral/efectos de la radiación , Humanos , Dolor/fisiopatología , Dimensión del DolorRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Previous work using quantified EEG has suggested that brain activity in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and normal persons differs. Our objective was to investigate if specific frequency band-pass regions and spatial locations are associated with CFS using low-resolution electromagnetic brain tomography (LORETA). METHODS: We conducted a co-twin control study of 17 pairs of monozygotic twins where 1 twin met criteria for CFS and the co-twin was healthy. Twins underwent an extensive battery of tests including a structured psychiatric interview and a quantified EEG. Eyes closed EEG frequency-domain analysis was computed and the entire brain volume was compared of the CFS and healthy twins using a multiple comparison procedure. RESULTS: Compared with their healthy co-twins, twins with CFS differed in current source density. The CFS twins had higher delta in the left uncus and parahippocampal gyrus and higher theta in the cingulate gyrus and right superior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that neurophysiological activity in specific areas of the brain may differentiate individuals with CFS from those in good health. The study corroborates that slowing of the deeper structures of the limbic system is associated with affect. It also supports the neurobiological model that the right forebrain is associated with sympathetic activity and the left forebrain with the effective management of energy. These preliminary findings await replication.
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Encéfalo/anatomía & histología , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Electroencefalografía , Síndrome de Fatiga Crónica/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Gemelos Monocigóticos , Encéfalo/patología , Encéfalo/fisiopatología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Síndrome de Fatiga Crónica/fisiopatología , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Electroencephalographic mapping techniques have been used to show differences between normal subjects and those diagnosed with various mental disorders. To date, there is no other research using the techniques of low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) with the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) population. The current investigation compares current source density measures of persons with OCD symptoms to an age-matched control group. The main finding is excess current source density in the Beta frequencies in the cingulate gyrus. This Beta activity is primarily located in the middle cingulate gyrus as well as adjacent frontal parieto-occipital regions. Lower frequency Beta is prominent more anteriorly in the cingulate gyrus whereas higher frequency Beta is seen more posteriorly. These preliminary findings indicate the utility of LORETA as a clinical and diagnostic tool.