Because Relaxation is Your Greatest Asset


Case Study: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

AAPB and ISNR have established standards for Neurofeedback research [Moss & Gunkleman (2002)] that confer a status of Possible Efficacy for PTSD. Neurofeedback provides evidence-based practices on par with health care establishment demands (Gemon, Devon & Ramsey (2000), Sacket et al, (2000). Levels of evidence include: case reports, observational studies, randomized clinical trials, fMRI scans (Andrasik & Rime (2007), and so on. “Efficacy” determination of training or treatment effect is derived from systematic evaluation in controlled clinical trial (La Vaque et al (2002).

Case A

This case involved a thirty year old female born into a nationally fragile environment. The woman had suffered multiple geopolitical and related situational instabilities throughout her life, demonstrated in her self-reported hyper-vigilance, sleep disruption and nightmares, extreme muscle tension, residual depression, and growing agoraphobia (the woman was afraid of having an anxiety attack in public and not being able to receive help, and was apt to avoid leaving home). Talk therapy interventions had only been somewhat helpful. The woman was unwilling to take medications.

After completing her first Neurofeedback session the woman reported sleeping “quite excellently”, “feeling calmer” and experiencing a positive mood. She reported her tension had “melted away”. Early into her training program she reported a setback of feeling hopeless again when a family member fought with her. As training continued she reported “a greater perspective” on personal situations that caused stress, and felt less apprehensive when going out. The woman continued to have “good” sleep with calmer dreams and reported feeling “less anxiety overall”. Midway through training the woman expressed a renewed interest in trying to find work, as she felt she was able to cope with “normal” external demands, concurrent with the introduction of peripheral biofeedback interventions for heart rate variability and additional stress management. Thereafter she reported applying for and obtaining a desirable professional position. Toward the end of training the woman reported initial setbacks and increased anxiety from workplace pressures. Thereafter she reported that she was “adjusting well” at work. Shortly after discharge the woman decided to continue training by way of quarterly “tune-ups” as needed. She reported “significant progress for the first time” with renewed talk therapy.

A video on Neurofeedback and PTSD
Click and scroll down for additional research on PTSD
Click here for more research on PTSD

Case B

This case involved a thirty-one year old female with an abusive childhood. She had been in talk therapy intermittently but complained of lingering abreactions. To date, she had been unable to sustain enduring love relationships. She did not respond well to medications, did not sleep through the night, had a poor appetite, was “extremely nervous”, and was feeling helpless and hopeless.

After completing a few Neurofeedback training sessions she reported sleeping only lightly, with continued depression and few, if any changes. Shortly thereafter she reported becoming aware of gradual mood improvements, and confirmed experiencing a renewed appetite. The woman was also experiencing feeling rested in the morning following sleeping through most nights. Midway through training she reported “almost no fighting” with her current boyfriend, and a feeling of being able to “stay centered” when conflicts arose. She was jubilant that she had passed the 6-month mark of dating the same man. She had re-initiated talk therapy and reported being able to discuss issues without dramatic reactions and setbacks. By discharge she reported stability “in all areas of my life”.

A video on Neurofeedback and PTSD
Click and scroll down for additional research on PTSD 
Click here for more research on PTSD

 

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