Effect of Electroencephalogram Neurofeedback Training on Quality of Life in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: In Context of Spontaneous Recovery

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Quality of life (QOL) is strongly affected following traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is a strong need to explore the use of new developments in neuropsychological rehabilitation such as electroencephalogram (EEG) neurofeedback training (NFT) on QOL in TBI patients. Objective The objective was to study the effect of EEG NFT on QOL in TBI patients in the context of spontaneous recovery. Methodology A sample of 60 TBI patients was assigned to an NFT group (n = 30) and a treatment as usual (TAU) group (n = 30). Twenty sessions of α/θ NFT at the occipital 1 and 2 scalp locations were given to the NFT group. The NFT protocol used was dependent on (4–7 Hz) θ and (8–12 Hz) α activity with the aim of decreasing the θ/α ratio. Pre- and postassessments of QOL were recorded on the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL)–BREF. Results This study results indicate significant enhancement of QOL in the NFT group as compared with the TAU group. The improvement scores indicate that the 12- to 18-month postinjury NFT group had significantly less improvement on QOL as compared with the < 6-month NFT group. Conclusion EEG NFT helps improve QOL in TBI patients. Early intervention is more effective in improving QOL than later intervention.