The Therapeutic Efficacy of Neurofeedback in Depression

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.

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