EEG Correlates of Self-Managed Neurofeedback Treatment of Central Neuropathic Pain in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2019 · DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00762 · Published: July 25, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

This study explores using neurofeedback (NFB) to help people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) manage central neuropathic pain (CNP). NFB is a technique where people learn to control their brain activity to improve certain conditions. Participants practiced NFB at home after some initial training. They tried to increase alpha waves and decrease theta and beta waves, which are linked to pain. The study found that many participants experienced a reduction in pain when they self-managed their neurofeedback at home, suggesting it could be a helpful tool for pain management.

Study Duration

Several weeks (min 4, max 20)

Participants

Fifteen chronic spinal cord injured (SCI) participants (13M, 2F)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Twelve participants achieved statistically signiﬁcant reduction in pain, and in eight participants this reduction was clinically signiﬁcant (larger than 30%).
2
The most successfully regulated frequency band during NFB was alpha.
3
Regulation of individual frequency band was related to a signiﬁcant reduction in pain.

Research Summary

This study investigated the feasibility of self-managed neurofeedback (NFB) treatment for central neuropathic pain (CNP) in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that a significant number of participants achieved a statistically significant reduction in pain through self-managed NFB, particularly when regulating their individual alpha band activity. The findings suggest that NFB can empower participants to take control of their pain and can be self-administered at home, offering a potential alternative or complementary treatment option for CNP in SCI.

Practical Implications

Personalized Treatment

Neurofeedback protocols should be tailored to individual brainwave patterns for better pain management.

Home-Based Therapy

Self-managed neurofeedback can empower individuals to manage chronic pain in the comfort of their homes.

Alternative Pain Management

Neurofeedback provides a non-pharmacological option for managing central neuropathic pain, reducing reliance on medication.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of a control group to account for placebo effects.
2
Varied duration and number of NFB sessions among participants.
3
EEG recorded from only one electrode, limiting exploration of wider cortical effects.

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