The Therapeutic Efficacy of Neurofeedback in Depression

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Depression
• Interventions: Behavioral: Psychotherapy placebo; Behavioral: Neurofeedback

• Registration Number: NCT00729547
• Lead Sponsor: Korea University

Brief Summary

The investigators examined the therapeutic efficacy of neurofeedback in depression subjects. The investigators hypothesize that 5 weeks neurofeedback training will be able to alleviate depressive symptoms.

Detailed Description

Subject

* Fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for depressive disorders.

* Persons who had organic disorders were excluded.

* Who had been treated by psychoactive drugs for at least 2 months prior to the study were excluded.

Design

* Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups (EEG biofeedback /psychotherapy placebo) by block randomization.

* EEG biofeedback training was provided for 5 weeks(10 sessions, twice per week). Each training session was composed of 6 four minute trials followed by 5 thirty second rest periods

* Psychotherapy placebo session was provided for 5 weeks. These sessions consisted of additional assessment, interpretation of the test results and providing information on course and treatment of mood disorder.

* After subjects completed the training, they participated in a month-long (twice per week) self-training session to maintain a similar mental state during neurofeedback training sessions without feedback system's assistance.

* Subjects who had finished the psychotherapy placebo were referred to other therapists as necessary.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2006-09
• Study Start: 2006-09
• Primary Completion: 2006-12
• Study Completion: 2007-01
• Study First Submitted: 2008-08-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-08-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2008-08-04
• Study First Posted: 2008-08-07
• Last Update Posted: 2008-08-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

• clinical diagnosis of mood disorder
• right handed
• current BDI-2 score exceed 10

Exclusion Criteria

• with psychotic symptom
• with organic disorders
• treated by psychoactive drugs for at least 2 months prior to the study
• history of pathologic alcohol use

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
2	Psychotherapy placebo	Psychotherapy placebo session
1	Neurofeedback	Neurofeedback training which enhance left frontal alpha wave.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
frontal EEG asymmetry indexes	5 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
BDI-2	5 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, Kyunghee Medical Center; 🇰🇷 Seoul, Korea, Republic of