TITLE:
Effect of an EEG Biofeedback Protocol on a Mixed Substance Abusing Population
SCIENTISTS:
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: William C. Scott, B.S.W., C.C.D.P.
OTHER RESEARCHERS: David Kaiser, Ph.D., Siegfried Othmer, Ph.D. and Stephen Sideroff Ph.D.
PUBLISHED IN:
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Vol: 31:455-469, 2005
METHOD:
- Symptom-based neurofeedback was selected as the sole methodology used for the study.
- 121 volunteers undergoing an inpatient substance abuse program were randomly assigned to the
EEG biofeedback or control group. - Protocols of Beta and SMR were used to address attentional variables, followed by an alpha-theta
protocol. - The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), and MMPI, were administered with both test and subject
blind as to group placement to obtain unbiased baseline data.
RESULTS:
- Of the experimental subjects completing the protocols, 77% were abstinent at 12 months, compared to 44% for
the controls. - Experimental subjects demonstrated significant improvement on their TOVA scores, as well as, significant
improvements were noted on 5 of the 10 MMPI-Z scales. - There were no measurable improvements in the control group.
- This study has been successfully replicated by other research teams after UCLA. 0 No other neurofeedback
methodologies (e.g. QEEG) has been used in a medium or large scale addiction study. The primary reason is that
alpha-theta protocol, of significant importance to the addicted population, is not used in other methodologies.
CONCLUSIONS:
EEG biofeedback enhanced:
- Treatment retention
- Variables of attention
- Abstinence rates one year following treatment