Exploring the Feasibility of Self-Guided Neurofeedback Training in Trauma-Related Mental Health Conditions

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, increased arousal, and negative patterns affecting thoughts, feelings, and physical responses to stress. In a subgroup of individuals with the dissociative subtype (PTSD+DS), trauma can manifest as a significant disconnection from the body, leading to feelings of detachment and fogginess. The current gold-standard treatments for PTSD often yield poorer outcomes with dissociative presentations. Neurofeedback training (NFT), a technique that monitors neural rhythms in real time, has demonstrated significant improvement using both functional magnetic resonance imaging (blood flow through the brain) and electroencephalography (EEG; monitors changes in the brain’s electrical activity). However, less is known about the use of a portable EEG-NFT in real-world settings. This dissertation aims to fill that gap by conducting research examining the acceptability and feasibility of self-guided EEG-NFT as an adjunctive treatment, with a particular emphasis on trauma-related mental health conditions. The ultimate purpose is to see whether self-guided EEG-NFT enhances therapeutic outcomes beyond those achieved through standard therapy alone. Chapter 2 investigates the effectiveness of NFT combined with an aerobic training program in sedentary undergraduate students. Chapter 3 assesses the efficacy of adjunctive NFT in an inpatient trauma unit. Chapter 4 evaluates the effectiveness of NFT as an adjunctive treatment to a cognitive remediation training program.