Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

EEG Biofeedback for Addictive Disorders—The State of the Art in 2004

  • Published:
Journal of Adult Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper reviews studies of brainwave biofeedback as a therapeutic technique for substance use disorder. This modality is attractive as a medication free, neurophysiologic, and self actualizing treatment for a substance based, brain impaired and self-defeating disorder. Three approaches are described and the literature for each reviewed. Alpha–theta occipital feedback was originally employed to facilitate autosuggestion in hypnagogic states to augment standard therapy approaches in substance abuse treatment programs and appears most suited for chronic treatment resistant alcoholics. Beta augmentation feedback in conjunction with alpha/theta feedback has been employed in mixed substance abuse and stimulant abuse with good results. Individualized brainwave biofeedback based on correcting EEG abnormalities, or based on addressing comorbid conditions is a third approach that has been described, and may be most appropriate where confounding comorbid conditions are present. Although effectiveness in certain hard to treat populations (conventional treatment resistant alcoholics, crack cocaine addicts, cognitively impaired substance abusers) is promising, better-designed controlled studies are needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alper, K. R., Chabot, R. J., Kim, A. H., Prichep, L. S., & John, E. R. (1990). Quantitative EEG correlates of crack cocaine dependence. Psychiatry Research, 35(2), 95–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alper, K. R. (1999). The EEG and cocaine sensitization. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 11, 209–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biederman, J., Wilens, T., Mick, E., Milberger, S., Spencer, T. J., & Farone, S. V. (1995). Psychoactive substance use disorders in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Effects of ADHD and psychiatric comorbidity. American Journal of Psychiatry, 152(11), 1652–1658.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bodenhamer-Davis, E., & Callaway, T. (2004). Extended follow-up of Peniston Protocol results with chemical dependency. Journal of Neurotherapy, 8(2), 135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burkett, V. S., Cummins, J. M., Dickson, R. M., & Skolnick, M. H. (2004). Treatment effects related to EEG-biofeedback for crack cocaine dependency in a faith-based homeless mission. Journal of Neurotherapy, 8(2), 119–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chabot, R. J., & Serfontein, G. (1996). Quantitative EEG profiles of children with Attention Deficit Disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 40, 951–963.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeBeus, R., Prinzel, H., Ryder-Cook, A., & Allen, L. (2002). QEEG-Based versus research-based EEG biofeedback treatment with chemically dependent outpatients: Preliminary results. Journal of Neurotherapy, 6(1), 64–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downey, K. K., Stelson, F. W., Pomerleau, O. F., & Giordani, B. (1997). Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Psychological test profiles in a clinical population. Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 185(1), 32–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egner, T., Strawson, E., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2002). EEG signature and phenomenology of alpha/theta neurofeedback training versus mock feedback. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 27(4), 261–270.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fahrion, S. L. (1995). Human potential and personal; transformation. Subtle Energies, 6, 55–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fahrion, S. L. (2002). Group biobehavioral treatment of addiction. Paper presented at The 4th Meeting on the Neurobiology of Criminal and Violent Behavior. Research and Clinical Applications of Neurofeedback for Offender Populations with Substance Use Disorders and ADD/ADHD. Federal Bureau of Prisons, Scottsdale AZ, February 26, 2002.

  • Gittleman, R., Mannuzza, S., Shenker, R., & Bonagura, N. (1985). Hyperactive boys almost grown up. Archives of General Psychiatry, 42, 937–947.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goslinga, J. J. (1975). Biofeedback for chemical problem patients: A developmental process. Journal of Biofeedback, 2, 17–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graap, K., & Freides, D. (1998). Regarding the database for the Peniston alpha–theta EEG biofeedback protocol. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 23, 265–272.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green, E. E., Green, A. M., & Walters, E. D. (1974). Alpha–theta biofeedback training. Journal of Biofeedback, 2, 7–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horner, B. R., & Scheibe, K. E. (1997). Prevalence and implications of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder among adolescents in treatment for substance abuse. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(1), 30–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, J. R., & John, E. R. (1999). Conventional and quantitative electroencephalography in psychiatry. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 11, 190–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, D. A., & Othmer, S. (2000). Effect of Neurofeedback on variables of attention in a large multi-center trial. Journal of Neurotherapy, 4(1), 5–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, M. J. (1997). Native Americans, neurofeedback, and substance abuse theory: Three year outcome of alpha/theta neurofeedback training in the treatment of problem drinking among Dine’ (Navajo) People. Journal of Neurotherapy, 2(3), 24–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, F. R., & Kleber, H. D. (1995). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance abuse: Relationships and implications for treatment. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 2(5), 246–258.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, F. (1999). How essential is the EEG component of the Peniston and Kulkosky protocol? Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 24(2), 117–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manuzza, S., Klein, R. G., Konig, P. H., & Giampino, P. L. (1989). Hyperactive boys almost grown up, IV. criminality and its relationship to psychiatric status. Archives of General Psychiatry, 46, 1073–1079.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J. P., & Trudeau, D. L. (1998). Alpha theta brainwave biofeedback is not specific to the production of theta/alpha crossover and visualizations. Journal of Neurotherapy, 3(1), 63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niedermeyer, E. (1999). “Sleep and the EEG” In E. Niedermeyer, & F. Lopes Da Silva (Eds.), Electroencephalography: Basic principles, clinical applications, and related fields (4th ed., pp. 174–189). Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noldy, N. E., Santos, C. V., Politzer, N., Blair, R. D., & Carlen, P. L. (1994). Quantitative EEG changes in cocaine withdrawal: Evidence for long-term CNS effects. Neuropsychobiology, 30(4), 189–196.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1989). Alpha–Theta brainwave training and beta endorphin levels in alcoholics. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 13, 271–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1990). Alcoholic personality and alpha–theta brainwave training. Medical Psychotherapy, 2, 37–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. G. (1991). Alpha–theta brain wave neurofeedback for Vietnam veterans with combat related post traumatic stress disorder. Medical Psychotherapy, 4, 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peniston, E. G. (1998). Comments by Peniston. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 23, 273–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prichep, L. S., Alper, K. A., Kowalik, S. C., & Rosenthal, M. (1996). Neurometric QEEG studies of crack cocaine dependence and treatment outcome. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 15(4), 39–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prichep, L. S., Alper, K. A., Sverdlov, L., Kowalik, S. C., John, E. R., Merkin, H., Tom, M. L., & Rosenthal, M. (2002). Outcome related electrophysiological subtypes of cocaine dependence. Cinical Electroencephalography, 33(1), 8–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romano-Micha, J. (2003). Databases or specific training protocols for neurotherapy? A proposal for a clinical approach to neurotherapy. Journal of Neurotherapy, 7(3/4), 69–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regier, D. A., Farmer, M. E., Rae, D. S., Locke, B. Z., Keith, S. J., Judd, L. L., & Goodwin, F. K. (1990). Comorbidity of mental disorders with alcohol and other drug abuse: Results from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Study. Journal of the American Medical Association, 264, 2511–2518.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roemer, R. A., Cornwell, A., Dewart, D., Jackson, P., & Ercegovac, D. V. (1995). Quantitative electroencephalographic analysis in cocaine-preferring polysubstance abusers during abstinence. Psychiatry Research, 58, 247–257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saxby, E., & Peniston, E. G. (1995). Alpha–theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An effective treatmentfor male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(5), 685–693.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, W., & Kaiser, D. (1998). Augmenting chemical dependency treatment with neurofeedback training. Journal of Neurotherapy, 3(1), 66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, W. C., Brod, T. M., Sideroff, S., Kaiser, D., & Sagan, M. (2002). Type-specific EEG biofeedback improves residential substance abuse treatment. Paper presented at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting 2002.

  • Sheehan, M. F. (1993). Dual diagnosis. Psychiatry Quarterly, 64, 107–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Struve, F. A., Patrick, G., Straumanis, J. J., Fitz-Gerald, M. J., & Manno, J. (1998). Possible EEG sequelae of very long duration marihuana use: pilot findings from topographic quantitative EEG analyses of subjects with 15 to 24 years of cumulative daily exposure to THC. Clinical Electroencephalography, 29(1), 31–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taub, E., & Rosenfeld, J. P. (1994). Is alpha/theta training the effective component of the alpha/theta therapy package for the treatment of alcoholism? Biofeedback, 22(3), 12–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher, R. W., Walker, R. A., Gerson, I., & Geisler, F. (1989). EEG discriminant analysis of mild head trauma. EEG and Clinical Neurophysiology, 73, 93–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trudeau, D. L., Thuras, P., & Stockley, H. (1999). Quantitative EEG findings associated with chronic stimulant and cannabis abuse and ADHD in an adult male substance use disorder population. Clinical Electroencephalography, 30, 165–174.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trudeau, D. L. (2000). A review of the treatment of Addictive Disorders by EEG biofeedback. Clinical Electroencephalography, 31, 13–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Twemlow, S. W., & Bowen, W. T. (1976). EEG Biofeedback induced self actualization in alcoholics. Journal of Biofeedback, 3, 20–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twemlow, S. W., & Bowen, W. T. (1977). Sociocultural predictors of self actualization in EEG biofeedback treated alcoholics. Psychological Reports, 40, 591–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twemlow, S. W., Sizemore, D. G., & Bowen, W. T. (1977). Biofeedback induced energy redistribution in the alcoholic EEG. Journal of Biofeedback, 3, 14–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wender, P. H. (1995). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adults. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilens, T. E., Biederman, J., & Mick, E. (1998). Does ADHD affect the course of substance abuse? Findings from a sample of adults with and without ADHD. American Journal of Addictions, 7(2), 156–163.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Practice and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minnesota

    David L. Trudeau

  2. 20385 Siskiwit Shores Drive, Cornucopia WI, 54827

    David L. Trudeau

Authors
  1. David L. Trudeau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David L. Trudeau.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Trudeau, D.L. EEG Biofeedback for Addictive Disorders—The State of the Art in 2004. J Adult Dev 12, 139–146 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-005-7030-z

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-005-7030-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation