Citation

Askovic M, Watters AJ, Aroche J, Harris AWF. Australas. Psychiatry 2017; 25(4): 358-363.

Affiliation

Associate Professor of Psychiatry Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Clinical Director, Brain Dynamics Centre, the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1039856217715988

PMID

28699778

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the use of neurofeedback for refugee-related chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in two case studies.

METHODS: We describe the assessment and application of neurofeedback integrated into the treatment of two clients with chronic PTSD. We include details of our treatment schedule, symptoms and quantitative electrophysiological data for each case.

RESULTS All clients achieved significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD and improvement in daily functioning post-neurofeedback therapy. Quantitative electroencephalogric (EEG) measures indicate a normalisation of EEG markers relating to trauma, including overarousal at rest and working memory function.

CONCLUSIONS Neurofeedback as an adjunct to trauma-informed therapy may help to remediate chronic PTSD relating to refugee experiences. If replicated then improvements demonstrated in this population would be generalisable to all chronic PTSD.

Language: en

Keywords

neurofeedback; post-traumatic stress disorder; refugee; torture; trauma