Treating Postconcussion Syndrome Using Neurofeedback: A Case Study

The present article provides a case study showing the application of neurofeedback and biofeedback training with heart rate variability (HRV) training to a 27-year-old man, Mike, who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a motor vehicle accident. The study demonstrates the use of single-site neurofeedback training, metacognitive strategies, and low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) z-score training along with HRV. A review of the initial assessment and subsequent progress updates included an examination of continuous performance tests such as test of variables of attention, integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test, and single-channel electroencephalography results, HRV statistics, and 19-channel quantitative electroencephalogram results. The client demonstrated significant improvements on all measures posttraining with marked improvement in five areas: memory, sleep and energy level, academics, mood and irritability, and mental sharpness. Working with clients such as Mike supports the view that one- and two-channel neurofeedback and LORETA z-score neurofeedback, combined with HRV training, are promising interventions for clients with TBIs.