QEEG Guided Neurofeedback to Treat Schizophrenia: A Case Study

Authors

  • Gary J. Schummer
  • Jason von Stietz

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/10874208.2013.852893

Abstract

The subject in this case study was a 21-year-old man who had to leave college at the beginning of his senior year after being diagnosed with adult onset schizophrenia, undifferentiated type. For 18 months, the only interventions the subject utilized were varying doses of aripiprazole and intensive neurofeedback training. Data derived from five serial quantitative EEGs identified statistically significant coherence abnormalities that appeared as the schizophrenia progressed. Neurofeedback training to enhance cortical stability and normalize neural connectivity was directed by the convergence of data from each quantitative EEG and clinical assessment. Results showed a dramatic increase in functional abilities and a decreased need for medication. The subject resumed his challenging college curriculum and graduated. However, he then stopped neurofeedback and, in spite of increased medication, became floridly psychotic. This study supports other research showing neurofeedback training may be a useful treatment in the management of schizophrenia.

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Published

2016-08-23

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 4 (2013)

Section

CLINICAL CORNER

License

© International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR), all rights reserved. This article (the “Article”) may be accessed online from ISNR at no charge. The Article may be viewed online, stored in electronic or physical form, or archived for research, teaching, and private study purposes. The Article may be archived in public libraries or university libraries at the direction of said public library or university library. Any other reproduction of the Article for redistribution, sale, resale, loan, sublicensing, systematic supply, or other distribution, including both physical and electronic reproduction for such purposes, is expressly forbidden. Preparing or reproducing derivative works of this article is expressly forbidden. ISNR makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any content in the Article.  From 1995 to 2013 the Journal of Neurotherapy was the official publication of ISNR (www. Isnr.org); on April 27, 2016 ISNR acquired the journal from Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. In 2014, ISNR established its official open-access journal NeuroRegulation (ISSN: 2373-0587; www.neuroregulation.org).