Brain Injury Research - EEG and Neurofeedback studies

Brainwave patterns are different between healthy adults and those with traumatic brain injury, which alone suggests the need for brain-wave (EEG) normalization after injury. EEG biofeedback improves memory in persons with brain injury as well as attention and response accuracy during problem solving tasks (Tinius & Tinius, 2000). Walker, Norman, and Weber (2002) found 88% of mild head injury patients showed more than 50% improvement in EEG coherence scores, and all patients who had been employed prior to injury reported being able to return to work following the treatment. EEG-based therapy results in improved cognitive functioning as well as self-reports of depression and fatigue (Schoenberger, Shif, Esty, Ochs, & Matheis, 2001). Beta feedback improved attention deficits compared to controls (Keller, 2001).

  1. Electroencephalogram Biofeedback for Reading Disability and Traumatic Brain Injury by Thornton KE Ph.D. and Carmody DP Ph.D.
    One in 6 students exhibit learning disabilities, with 6.5 million children requiring special education in 2002, most of whom have specific learning disabilities or speech and language problems without any physical disability.

  2. EEG Operant Conditioning (biofeedback) and Traumatic Brain Injuryby Thatcher RW.

  3. Impact of qEEG-Guided Coherence Training for Patients with a Mild Closed Head Injury by Jonathan E. Walker, Charles A. Norman, & Ronald K. Weber.
    Recovery from mild closed head injury was noted in 88% of patients. The majority of patients with mild closed head injury experienced substantial and rapid improvement, including return to work.

  4. Diagnosis and Treatment of Head Injury by Hoffman DA M.D., Stockdale S Ph.D., Hicks LL B.A., Schwaninger JE B.A.
    Traditional methods for diagnosing mild head injury, such as medical history, CAT scan and MRI, often show normal test results even though patients complain of significant neurocognitive dysfunctions.

  5. Improvement/Rehabilitation of Memory Functioning with Neurotherapy/QEEG biofeedbackby Thornton K.

  6. Neurofeedback Therapy for a Mild Head Injury by Byers AP.

  7. Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation: QEEG biofeedback treatment protocols.Thornton KE, Carmody DP. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. 2009 Mar;34(1):59-68.

  8. Efficacy of traumatic brain injury rehabilitation: interventions of QEEG-guided biofeedback, computers, strategies, and medications. Thornton KE, Carmody DP. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. 2008 Jun;33(2):101-24.

  9. Electroencephalogram biofeedback for reading disability and traumatic brain injury.Thornton KE, Carmody DP.Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America. 2005 Jan;14(1):137-62

  10. The usefulness of quantitative EEG (QEEG) and neurotherapy in the assessment and treatment of post-concussion syndrome. Duff J. Clinical EEG and neuroscience . 2004 Oct;35(4):198-209.

  11. The electrophysiological effects of a brain injury on auditory memory functioning. The QEEG correlates of impaired memory. Thornton K. Archives of clinical neuropsychology. 2003 May;18(4):363-78.

  12. Effect of neurofeedback on motor recovery of a patient with brain injury: a case study and its implications for stroke rehabilitation. Wing K.Topics in stroke rehabilitation. 2001 8(3):45-53. Free full text

  13. Flexyx Neurotherapy System in the treatment of traumatic brain injury: an initial evaluation.Schoenberger NE, Shif SC, Esty ML, Ochs L, Matheis RJ. The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation. 2001 Jun;16(3):260-74.