A recent (2013) study was conducted with 183 people diagnosed with “intractable, medication-resistant” depression in a case series format. According to the study, clients were treated with neurofeedback training in a program of six one-hour sessions, twice a week. The results of the study demonstrated that 84% of the subjects had complete remission or realized a 50% or better improvement in their depressive symptoms. An additional 9% experienced only partial remission (20% to 50% reduction in symptoms). These improvements held at one year follow- up for all but 3 subjects. Subjects were medication-free at baseline and at the one year follow-up. Remission rates were 86% and above for mild, moderate, and severe depression, but fell to 59% for the very severe range.

 

The authors noted in their discussion section that, “these results suggest that (this neurofeedback protocol) is more likely to significantly decrease depression in a sustained fashion in such patients than the following treatments: switching medications, psychotherapy, electroshock therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, LENS, vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, or frontal alpha asymmetry training (citations removed).”

 

We are offering this short-term intervention program at our clinic.