Clinical Use of Alpha Asymmetry Protocol In the Neurofeedback Treatment of Depression: Case Studies
Frontal lobe dysfunction has primarily been identified by neurophsychological
tests as integral to Depression. In a study involving individuals suffering
from Major Depression and Melancholia, evidence was found suggesting decreased
alpha and increased beta activity in the right anterior regions of the brain
(Kano et al. 1992). Additional research has provided evidence that individuals
suffering from Depression have increased amount of alpha activity in the
left frontal region (Henriques & Davidson, 1991).
In a case study conducted by Baehr, Rosenfeld, and Baehr, 2003, two depressed
women were treated with more than thirty-four sessions of neurofeedback each,
utilizing alpha asymmetry protocol, for purposes of alleviating Depression
upon learning how to increase activation of the left hemisphere and/or decrease
activation of the right hemisphere. Results indicated that alpha asymmetry
neurofeedback training is an effective adjunct to psychotherapy in the treatment
of certain types of Mood Disorders, including but not limited to, Depression. The
use of alpha asymmetry neurofeedback as a successful treatment for Depression
is also supported by evidence that pathological asymmetry is a trait marker
of vulnerability to Depression.