USE OF AN INFRA-LOW FREQUENCY EEG BIOLOGICAL FEEDBACK TECHNIQUE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH A DECREASED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Abstract

A protocol for EEG biological feedback (BFB) at infra-low frequencies (<0.01 Hz) corresponding to those of the brain default mode network has been devised in recent years.Objective: to evaluate the therapeutic features of an EEG BFB technique in the rehabilitation of patients with a decreased level of consciousness.Patients and methods. The study included 11 patients with a decreased consciousness level (Glasgow coma scores of 7.4±2.5). The patients were examined using the specialized clinical scales before and every 3 weeks during BFB therapy (5 BFB sessions per week).Results. According to the neuropsychological scales, the patients' level of consciousness and mental activity were noted to become obviously increased just after 3 weeks of therapy, which was observed until the neurorehabilitation course was completed.Conclusion. The minimally conscious patients using EEG BFB showed a significant clinical improvement. The infra-low frequency EEG BFB method deserves attention as a promising tool for increasing the patients' level of consciousness in accessible form.

Keywords

• biological feedback
• neurorehabilitation
• minimally conscious state