Alternative Treatment for Depression

Background:
Recent studies have identified a brainwave correlate for depression. (See selected references, Davidson, 1995). If brainwave activity in the right frontal cortex exceeds activity in the left frontal cortex a depressed mood results, whereas if brainwave activity is relatively greater in the left frontal cortex a positive mood results.

Studies done at Northwestern University Dept. of Psychology by Dr. Peter Rosenfeld and colleagues, demonstrated it was possible to train subjects to change the magnitude of alpha brainwaves from the left to the right frontal cortex. (See review in Rosenfeld & Baehr 2004). With the knowledge that subjects could have control over shaping their brainwave activity, we were encouraged to see if we could treat depression by changing brain asymmetry. Beginning in 1993 depressed clients at our NeuroQuest clinic elected to try this innovative treatment.

Treatment:
A patented EEG biofeedback protocol, developed by Dr.Rosenfeld , was used for training our clients. The treatment consists of applying 4 electrodes to the scalp and training the brain to increase alpha amplitudes in the right frontal cortex while inhibiting them in the left frontal cortex. The client reclines with eyes closed and listens to a feedback bell which conditions the brain to respond. The number of sessions to achieve change is approximately 20 to 40.

Results:
Six patients participated in the initial study. The results were successful; and depression was alleviated as brainwave asymmetry changed. Not only was there an immediate effect, but follow-up studies for more than 5 years after therapy ended, have shown that the results are long lasting. The results have been reported in peer reviewed journals and books. (See link to Selected References).

Benefits:
The depression protocol is intended to be used as an adjunctive therapy in conjunction with cognitive behavioral or insight oriented psychotherapies. . One of the great benefits of Neurofeedback treatment is that it often allows the client to reduce or eliminate the need for medication. While medication can be useful, the positive effects last as long as the medication is used. The major benefit of Neurofeedback is that it is a non-invasive treatment with long lasting effects.

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