The effect of neurofeedback-assisted emotion regulation-based psychotherapy on psychological symptoms in individuals with trauma experiences

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v21i4.6499

Keywords:

trauma, neurofeedback, emotion regulation, psychological symptoms, experimental design

Abstract

Research Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the effects of emotion regulation-based psychotherapy, supplemented by neurofeedback, on psychological symptoms, while considering the brain's neurological alterations resulting from trauma.

Method: The study was conducted with a total of ten trauma-exposed individuals between the ages of 8-15, consisting of three males and seven females. The participants were assigned to two groups at random: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received neurofeedback-supported emotion regulation sessions, while the control group received only emotion regulation-based therapy sessions. The psychological symptoms of the participants were assessed using the SCL-90-R scale. The pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test scores were analyzed through a Mixed Design ANOVA, with two factors (experimental group, control group) and three time points (pre-test, post-test, follow-up test).

Findings: The results indicated a significant improvement in psychological symptoms for both groups across pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test measures. This suggests that emotion regulation-based therapy was effective for trauma-exposed individuals. However, the experimental group, which received neurofeedback in addition to emotion regulation therapy, showed greater symptom reduction across all sub-dimensions. Notably, the reduction in symptoms for the depression and hostility sub-dimensions was statistically significant, with a large effect size, suggesting that neurofeedback contributed to the improvement in these areas. Furthermore, these improvements were more permanent in the experimental group during the follow-up measures.

Conclusions: The research concluded that while emotion regulation therapy was impactful in alleviating psychological symptoms associated with trauma, the addition of neurofeedback in the experimental group led to a greater and more sustained reduction, particularly in the depression and hostility sub-dimensions. The permanence of the effects observed in the neurofeedback group underscores the potential value of incorporating neurofeedback into therapy for trauma-exposed individuals.

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Author Biographies

Mustafa Koç, Duzce University

Prof. Dr., Duzce University, Education Faculty, Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling

Tuğba Seda Çolak Turan, Duzce University

Assoc. Prof. Dr., Duzce University, Education Faculty, Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling

Ahmet Sapancı, Duzce University

Assist. Prof. Dr., Duzce University, Education Faculty, Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling

Şehide Kelek, Duzce University

Research Assistant, Duzce University, Education Faculty, Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling

Gülşah Koç

Expert Psychological Counselor/Ph.D Candidate, Duzce University, Education Faculty, Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling

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Published

2024-12-15

How to Cite

Koç, M. ., Çolak Turan, T. S., Sapancı, A., Kelek, Şehide, & Koç, G. (2024). The effect of neurofeedback-assisted emotion regulation-based psychotherapy on psychological symptoms in individuals with trauma experiences . Journal of Human Sciences, 21(4), 454–476. https://doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v21i4.6499

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Guidance and Psychological Counselling
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