Mirjana Askovic1, Anna J Watters2, Jorge Aroche3, Anthony W F Harris4. 1. Senior Psychologist and Team Leader of the Neurofeedback/Biofeedback Program at NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors; Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, and; Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Psychologist, Neurofeedback Research Officer, NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors; Honorary Postdoctoral Researcher, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. Clinical Psychologist and CEO of the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Associate Professor of Psychiatry Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Clinical Director, Brain Dynamics Centre, the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the use of neurofeedback for refugee-related chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in two case studies. METHODS: We describe the assessment and application of neurofeedback integrated into the treatment of two clients with chronic PTSD. We include details of our treatment schedule, symptoms and quantitative electrophysiological data for each case. Results All clients achieved significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD and improvement in daily functioning post-neurofeedback therapy. Quantitative electroencephalogric (EEG) measures indicate a normalisation of EEG markers relating to trauma, including overarousal at rest and working memory function. Conclusions Neurofeedback as an adjunct to trauma-informed therapy may help to remediate chronic PTSD relating to refugee experiences. If replicated then improvements demonstrated in this population would be generalisable to all chronic PTSD.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the use of neurofeedback for refugee-related chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in two case studies. METHODS: We describe the assessment and application of neurofeedback integrated into the treatment of two clients with chronic PTSD. We include details of our treatment schedule, symptoms and quantitative electrophysiological data for each case. Results All clients achieved significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD and improvement in daily functioning post-neurofeedback therapy. Quantitative electroencephalogric (EEG) measures indicate a normalisation of EEG markers relating to trauma, including overarousal at rest and working memory function. Conclusions Neurofeedback as an adjunct to trauma-informed therapy may help to remediate chronic PTSD relating to refugee experiences. If replicated then improvements demonstrated in this population would be generalisable to all chronic PTSD.