Benefits of EEG-Neurofeedback on the Modulation of Impulsivity in a Sample of Cocaine and Heroin Long-Term Abstinent Inmates: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether neurofeedback (NFB) can be useful in the treatment of impulsive behavior in long-term abstinent cocaine and heroin addicts. A single-blind sham-controlled NFB protocol was carried out to assess the effects of NFB on impulsivity in 20 (10 + 10) cocaine and heroin long-term abstinent addicts ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR]). Psychotic and neurologic diseases were excluded. Participants underwent 40 NFB sessions based on the very slow cortical potential range. Inhibitory deficits were specifically addressed through right and left prefrontal training. Clinical improvement was measured with Likert-type scales, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, and impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Continuous Performance Test. Although the results are preliminary due to the small sample size, the NFB-treated group showed a significant clinical improvement, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, with two differentiated time periods. No significant clinical improvement was found in the control group. A significant decrease in the post- versus pre-treatment measures of global impulsivity, nonplanning impulsivity, and error commission measures was found in the NFB-treated group; effect size ( dKorr) in the pre–post control design was moderate. No significant change was found in the control group. Despite the limitations of this study, the results suggest that NFB is better than placebo in improving impulsivity and clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression in long-term abstinent cocaine- and heroin-dependent individuals.

The Current Evidence Levels for Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Interventions in Treating Depression: A Narrative Review

“…In three unmedicated patients, 20 sessions of training decreased the clinical estimates of depression (MADRS and HAM-D) and excessive frontal and central theta and alpha powers. In a group of drug addicts sentenced for robbery, some specific improvement on HAM-D score was shown after infralow-frequency (0.01-0.02 MHz) neurofeedback with a concurrent suppression of a number of bands in the 1-40 Hz range [135]; however, this study remains the only one in this submodality dealing with depression estimates.…”

Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review

“…After ILF-Neurofeedback training, clinical symptoms, such as depressive symptoms, anxiety, impulsivity and attention, had improved and the benefits were higher than in the control group. The authors suggested that Infra-low Neurofeedback was better than placebo in the modulation of impulsivity in the examined population (Corominas-Roso et al, 2020 ).…”

Impact of Mobile Neurofeedback on Internet Addiction and Neurocognitive Function in Neurotypical Children: Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

“…7 Among various mental disorders, research on the effects of neurofeedback in relation to addiction also continues to advance. 8 Specifically, neurofeedback protocols based on brainwave assessments have primarily focused on substance use disorders. EEG-based neurofeedback has shown promising outcomes in alcohol use disorder by reducing impulsivity, recklessness, and risk aversion, and in nicotine addiction by decreasing smoking rates and cravings.…”