Effect of Electroencephalogram Neurofeedback Training on Quality of Life in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: In Context of Spontaneous Recovery

Abstract

Introduction Quality of life (QOL) is strongly affected following traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is a strong need to explore the use of new developments in neuropsychological rehabilitation such as electroencephalogram (EEG) neurofeedback training (NFT) on QOL in TBI patients.

Objective The objective was to study the effect of EEG NFT on QOL in TBI patients in the context of spontaneous recovery.

Methodology A sample of 60 TBI patients was assigned to an NFT group (n = 30) and a treatment as usual (TAU) group (n = 30). Twenty sessions of α/θ NFT at the occipital 1 and 2 scalp locations were given to the NFT group. The NFT protocol used was dependent on (4–7 Hz) θ and (8–12 Hz) α activity with the aim of decreasing the θ/α ratio. Pre- and postassessments of QOL were recorded on the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL)–BREF.

Results This study results indicate significant enhancement of QOL in the NFT group as compared with the TAU group. The improvement scores indicate that the 12- to 18-month postinjury NFT group had significantly less improvement on QOL as compared with the < 6-month NFT group.

Conclusion EEG NFT helps improve QOL in TBI patients. Early intervention is more effective in improving QOL than later intervention.

Keywords

neurofeedback - electroencephalogram - brain injury - traumatic brain injury - quality of life - neurorehabilitation - spontaneous recovery

• References

• 1 Bay E, de-Leon MB. Chronic stress and fatigue-related quality of life after mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2011; 26 (05) 355-363
• 2 Hu XB, Feng Z, Fan YC, Xiong ZY, Huang QW. Health-related quality-of-life after traumatic brain injury: a 2-year follow-up study in Wuhan. China. Brain Inj 2012; 26 (02) 183-187
• 3 Parker RS. Recovery from brain damage. In: Parker RS. ed. Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuropsychological Impairment. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1990
• 4 Thatcher RW, Moore N, John ER, Duffy F, Hughes JR, Krieger M. QEEG and traumatic brain injury: rebuttal of the American Academy of Neurology 1997 report by the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society. Clin Electroencephalogr 1999; 30 (03) 94-98
• 5 Peniston EG, Kulkosk PJ. Alpha-theta brainwave neuro-feed-back for Vietnam veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. An International Journal 1991; 4: 47-60
• 6 Gururaj G. Injuries in India: A National Perspective. NCMH Background Papers Burden of Disease in India 2011; 325-347
• 7 Skevington SM, Lotfy M, O'Connell KA, Group W. WHOQOL Group. The World Health Organization's WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment: psychometric properties and results of the international field trial. A report from the WHOQOL group. Qual Life Res 2004; 13 (02) 299-310
• 8 Walter KH, Kiefer SL, Chard KM. Relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and postconcussive symptom improvement after completion of a posttraumatic stress disorder/traumatic brain injury residential treatment program. Rehabil Psychol 2012; 57 (01) 13-17
• 9 Bay E, Bergman K. Symptom experience and emotional distress after traumatic brain injury. Care Manag J 2006; 7 (01) 3-9
• 10 Belanger HG, Kretzmer T, Vanderploeg RD, French LM. Symptom complaints following combat-related traumatic brain injury: relationship to traumatic brain injury severity and posttraumatic stress disorder. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2010; 16 (01) 194-199