The Therapeutic Efficacy of Neurofeedback in Depression (neurofeedback)

Korea University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Depression

Treatments: Behavioral: Psychotherapy placebo; Behavioral: Neurofeedback

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00729547

KRF-2005-079-HS0012

Details and patient eligibility

About

The investigators examined the therapeutic efficacy of neurofeedback in depression subjects. The investigators hypothesize that 5 weeks neurofeedback training will be able to alleviate depressive symptoms.

Full description

Subject

• Fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for depressive disorders.
• Persons who had organic disorders were excluded.
• Who had been treated by psychoactive drugs for at least 2 months prior to the study were excluded.

Design

• Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups (EEG biofeedback /psychotherapy placebo) by block randomization.
• EEG biofeedback training was provided for 5 weeks(10 sessions, twice per week). Each training session was composed of 6 four minute trials followed by 5 thirty second rest periods
• Psychotherapy placebo session was provided for 5 weeks. These sessions consisted of additional assessment, interpretation of the test results and providing information on course and treatment of mood disorder.
• After subjects completed the training, they participated in a month-long (twice per week) self-training session to maintain a similar mental state during neurofeedback training sessions without feedback system's assistance.
• Subjects who had finished the psychotherapy placebo were referred to other therapists as necessary.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• clinical diagnosis of mood disorder
• right handed
• current BDI-2 score exceed 10

Exclusion criteria

• with psychotic symptom
• with organic disorders
• treated by psychoactive drugs for at least 2 months prior to the study
• history of pathologic alcohol use

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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24 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

2

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Psychotherapy placebo session

Treatment:

Behavioral: Psychotherapy placebo

1

Experimental group

Description:

Neurofeedback training which enhance left frontal alpha wave.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Neurofeedback