Neurofeedback Training for Opiate Addiction: Improvement of Mental Health and Craving

• Published in: Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 133 - 141
• Main Authors: Dehghani-Arani, Fateme, Rostami, Reza, Nadali, Hosein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.06.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abstinence; Addictions; Addictive behaviors; Adult; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; Analysis; Behavior; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biofeedback; Biofeedback training; Brain research; Buprenorphine; Buprenorphine - therapeutic use; Central nervous system depressants; Drug abuse; Drug therapy; Drug use; Drug withdrawal; Electroencephalography; Health aspects; Health Psychology; Heroin; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Methadone - therapeutic use; Methadone hydrochloride; Middle Aged; Motivation; Narcotics; Neurofeedback; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Opioid-Related Disorders - drug therapy; Opioid-Related Disorders - psychology; Opioid-Related Disorders - therapy; Physiology; Psychology; Psychotherapy and Counseling; Public Health; Questionnaires; Substance abuse treatment; Substance use disorder; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Iran; Opiate addiction; Craving; Neurofeedback; Mental health
• ISSN: 1090-0586; 1573-3270
• DOI: 10.1007/s10484-013-9218-5

Psychological improvements in patients with substance use disorders have been reported after neurofeedback treatment. However, neurofeedback has not been commonly accepted as a treatment for substance dependence. This study was carried out to examine the effectiveness of this therapeutic method for opiate dependence disorder. The specific aim was to investigate whether treatment leads to any changes in mental health and substance craving. In this experimental study with a pre-post test design, 20 opiate dependent patients undergoing Methadone or Buprenorphine maintenance treatment were examined and matched and randomized into two groups. While both experimental and control groups received their usual maintenance treatment, the experimental group received 30 sessions of neurofeedback treatment in addition. The neurofeedback treatment consisted of sensory motor rhythm training on Cz, followed by an alpha-theta protocol on Pz. Data from the general health questionnaire and a heroin craving questionnaire were collected before and after treatment. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed that the experimental group achieved improvement in somatic symptoms, depression, and total score in general mental health; and in anticipation of positive outcome, desire to use opioid, and relief from withdrawal of craving in comparison with the control group. The study supports the effectiveness of neurofeedback training as a therapeutic method in opiate dependence disorder, in supplement to pharmacotherapy.