Cancer Patients’ Age-Related Benefits from Mobile Neurofeedback-Therapy in Quality of Life and Self-efficacy: A Clinical Waitlist Control Study

Abstract

Electroencephalographic neurofeedback (EEG NF) can improve quality of life (QoL) and reduce distress by modifying the amplitude of selected brain frequencies. This study aims to investigate the effects of NF therapy on QoL and self-efficacy in cancer patients and to explore age-related reactions. In a waitlist control paradigm, psychometric data (EORTC QLQ-C30, General Self-Efficacy Scale) of 20 patients were collected at three different time points, each five weeks apart. An outpatient 10-session NF intervention (mobile) was conducted between the second and third measurement point. QoL and self-efficacy changed significantly over time (QoL: F(2,36) = 5.294, p < .05, η2 = .227; Self-efficacy: F(2,26) = 8.178, p < .05, η2 = .386). While QoL increased in younger patients, older patients initially showed a decrease in QoL, which then increased during intervention. Younger patients did not differ from older patients in QoL in both waitlist control (T0-T1) and intervention phase (T1–T2). QoL in older patients significantly differed between waitlist control and intervention phase (Z = − 2.023, p < .05, d = 1.085). Self-efficacy increased in both age categories. Younger and older patients did not differ in self-efficacy in waitlist control, but in intervention phase (F(1,16) = 7.014, p < .05, η2 = .319). The current findings suggest that NF therapy is a promising treatment modality for improving QoL in cancer patients. Our study reveals NF being a tool to influence self-efficacy, which should receive more appreciation in clinical care. However, the effect of NF in different age groups as well as the influence on further cancer-related symptoms should be investigated in future research.

Neurofeedback Treatment Affects Affective Symptoms, But Not Perceived Cognitive Impairment in Cancer Patients: Results of an Explorative Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Further analysis showed that this effect was stable only for the NF therapy. In accordance with Schmidt et al 10 evidence for age effects was found. Interestingly, no significant increase in QoL was achieved through the mindfulness control.…”

“…The length and duration of the NF was based on the few already existing findings 8 on NF interventions in cancer patients ranging from 10 to 100 sessions twice a week. In this study each session had the following structure: (9)(10)(11)(12)(13) and theta/beta (>20 Hz) reduction for 10 minutes.…”

“…8 An RCT pilot study of 20 female breast cancer patients showed that women who received a 4-week alpha NF intervention had both improved short-term memory and increased QoL. 9 A waitlist study of our working group by Schmidt et al 10 found a positive effect of a 5-week alpha and theta NF intervention on health-related QoL and self-efficacy in cancer patients. Furthermore, the results indicate a lower QoL but higher profit of the intervention in younger patients compared to over-55-year-old cancer patients.…”

Evaluation of a manualised neurofeedback training in psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic outpatient treatment (Neuro-pp-out): study protocol for a clinical mixed-methods pilot study

“…We expect a moderate effect size of partial η 2 p =0.06, and a mean correlation between within-subject measures of r=0.3, which results in a required sample size of n=27 42. Based on a previous study of our study group on NFB treatment in the outpatient setting, we expect a dropout rate of 13% 43. Therefore, we will include 31 participants in the study.…”

Implementing biofeedback treatment in a psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic inpatient unit: a mixed methods evaluation of acceptance, satisfaction, and feasibility

“…Overall, current literature suggests a benefit of BFB and/or NFB in patients with various psychosomatic illnesses. However, while BFB has already been heavily researched in the outpatient setting (18)(19)(20)(21), the usage of BFB and/or NFB in an inpatient setting for mental health disorders has been rarely investigated. To our knowledge, only one study examined the usage of BFB in inpatients with eating disorders (22).…”