Neurofeedback as a Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

Author

Una Radovanovic, Bard CollegeFollow

Date of Submission

Spring 2013

Academic Program

Psychology

Project Advisor 1

Andrew Gallup

Abstract/Artist's Statement

Since the first reports of neurofeedback as a treatment for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in 1983, different studies have described the outcomes of neurofeedback therapies on various TBI symptoms, such as poor memory, impaired attention and behavioral problems. Reports on the efficacy of neurofeedback for moderate to severe injuries, however, have been absent in the literature. In the present study, 63 adults diagnosed with brain injury underwent a sequence of traditional treatment methods; 38 out of those 63 additionally received 20-30 neurofeedback sessions. Neuropsychological test scores were completed before and after the treatment and compared between the neurofeedback and non-neurofeedback groups. The results found considerable improvement across both groups, though this was significantly greater for those experiencing the neurofeedback treatment. Supplemental analyses within the neurofeedback group, including both the traditional neurophysiological and quantitative electroencephalographic measures, revealed no differences in the improvement across different severity categories and types of brain injury. Additionally, counter to previous conclusions, the outcome of the treatment did not depend on the amount of time passed between the injury and the beginning of the treatment. Overall, this suggests that neurofeedback is a promising treatment method for TBI patients from various backgrounds.

Distribution Options

Access restricted to On-Campus only

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Radovanovic, Una, "Neurofeedback as a Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury" (2013). Senior Projects Spring 2013. 406.
https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/senproj_s2013/406