Neurofeedback and the treatment of developmental trauma: clinical practice review
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(Published version)
Date
2021
Authors
Burgess, S.
Paton, A.
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Report
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Abstract
Neurofeedback training is a relatively new clinical approach, particularly regarding its efficacy in ameliorating trauma based clinical symptoms. There is some very early research into this topic area, which suggested the treatment can be useful in improving certain secondary impacts of trauma, such as sleep and attention problems. There is no current evidence base to support neurofeedback as a treatment that can improve primary trauma symptoms or be used as a standalone trauma treatment. As such, there is some limited support for neurofeedback to be used as a support therapy to other evidence-based trauma interventions. However, there is great need for development of the evidence base and clarification regarding practice standards, implementation procedures, cultural and legal implications before neurofeedback training can be reliably considered as a treatment option in any form for children who have experienced trauma. The costs of providing and accessing the treatment is also prohibitive and would be exclusionary for many settings. It is recommended that neurofeedback training be monitored and reviewed again at a later date as a future treatment for this population as further research and increased refinement of the approach occurs.