The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback on PTSD Symptoms and Sustained Attention

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of neurofeedback in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving sustained attention in individuals with this disorder. This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty participants aged 18 to 25 years with PTSD symptoms were randomly assigned to an experimental group (15 participants) and a control group (15 participants). The experimental group received 15 neurofeedback sessions, while the control group received no intervention. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PCL-5 scale, and sustained attention was measured with the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test in SPSS version 27. ANOVA results showed a significant effect of group (F(1, 54) = 23.34, p = 0.001, η² = 0.32) and time (F(2, 54) = 48.02, p = 0.001, η² = 0.47) on PTSD symptoms. Similarly, there was a significant effect of group (F(1, 54) = 19.45, p = 0.002, η² = 0.29) and time (F(2, 54) = 52.76, p = 0.001, η² = 0.49) on sustained attention. The Bonferroni test indicated that reductions in PTSD symptoms and improvements in sustained attention from pre-test to post-test and follow-up were significant (p < 0.001) in the experimental group. The results suggest that neurofeedback can be an effective intervention for reducing PTSD symptoms and improving sustained attention. Given the stability of the treatment effects in the five-month follow-up, neurofeedback could serve as a potential therapeutic approach for individuals with PTSD.