Silent epidemic: The effects of neurofeedback on quality-of-life

Abstract

Background: The complex interaction of human, vehicle and environmental factors along with a lack of sustainable preventive programs has contributed to the "silent epidemic" of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBI poses a grave threat to the quality-of-life (QOL). Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of neurofeedback in QOL in patients with TBI. Materials and Methods: Pre- and post-interventional study design was adopted. Sixty patients, 30 in the intervention group (IG) and 30 in waitlist group with the diagnosis of TBI in the age range of 18-49 years were assessed on QOL scale, after obtaining the informed consent. Patients in the IG were given 20 sessions of alpha-theta neurofeedback training (NFT), 5 sessions / week. Statistics Analysis: Descriptive statistics, Spearman′s correlation, Mann-Whitney and Chi-squared test was used. Results and Conclusion: Patients in the IG showed statistical improvements in QOL post post-neurofeedback. Results are encouraging for the incorporation of NFT into treatment programs for patients with TBI in improving QOL.

Keywords

• Neurofeedback training
• quality-of-life
• traumatic brain injury