A study conducted by Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University found that neurofeedback may be an effective treatment for individuals with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Findings of the study were published in the journal 'Neurolmage: Clinical'. Brain training consists of exercises where individuals regulate their own brain activity.
Dr Ruth Lanius, scientist at Lawson, professor at Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and psychiatrist at London Health Sciences Centre, said, “Brain connectivity involves different parts of the brain communicating with each other and helps to regulate states of consciousness, thought, mood and emotion. Individuals with PTSD tend to have disrupted patterns of brain connectivity, but our research suggests they can exercise their brains to restore patterns to a healthy balance.”
The trial tested neurofeedback with a total of 72 participants, including 36 participants with PTSD and 36 healthy control participants. Eighteen of those with PTSD were randomised to participate in neurofeedback treatment while the other 18 acted as a comparison group. The study found that the severity of PTSD symptoms decreased in participants randomised to receive neurofeedback treatment. More than 61.1 per cent of participants no longer met the definition for PTSD, after treatment.
Neurofeedback uses a system called a neurofeedback loop in which a persons' brain activity is measured through sensors placed on the scalp and displayed back to them using a computer interface.
An affiliated scientist at Lawson, Dr Andrew Nicholson said, “The salience network is involved in detecting threats as part of the 'fight or flight' response. It is normally hyperactive in individuals with PTSD. Meanwhile, the default mode network is activated during rest and is involved in autobiographical memory. We often see that this network is less active during rest and functionally disrupted among individuals with PTSD.” He added, “neurofeedback helped restore the functional connectivity of both networks to healthier levels.”
