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Transient Adverse Side Effects During Neurofeedback Training: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Double Blind Study

Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback volume 40, pages 209–218 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

The benefits of clinical neurofeedback training are well known, however, its adverse side-effects are less studied. This research focuses on the transient adverse side effects of neurofeedback training via a double-blind, sham/controlled methodology. Thirty healthy undergraduate students volunteers were randomly divided into three treatment groups: increasing a modified Sensory Motor Rhythm, increasing Upper Alpha, and Sham/control group who receive a random reward. The training sessions were administered for a total of ten sessions. Questionnaires of transient adverse side effects were completed by all volunteers before each session. The results suggest that similar to most medical treatments, neurofeedback can cause transient adverse side effects. Moreover, most participants reported experiencing some side effects. The side effects can be divided into non-specific side effect, associated with the neurofeedback training in general and specific ones associated with the particular protocol. Sensory Motor Rhythm protocol seems to be the most sensitive to side effects.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Herman Chernoff, Professor Emeritus of Applied Mathematics at MIT and of Statistics at Harvard University and Eli Upfal, Professor of Computer Science at Brown University for their insights in the data analysis. Special thanks are due to the reviewers for their extensive questions that significantly improved the presentation. This research was funded by the Department of Psychology,Achva Academic College, Beer Tuvia, Israel, and the Ministry of Health, Beer Sheva Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

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Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Health, Beer Sheva Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Ainat Rogel, Jonathan Guez & Doron Todder

  2. Department of Psychology, Achva Academic College, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Jonathan Guez, Eldad Keha, Tzlil Cohen & Tali Amor

  3. Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Ainat Rogel & Doron Todder

  4. Faculty of Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Nir Getter & Doron Todder

  5. 115 Stedman St., Brookline, MA, 02446, USA

    Ainat Rogel

Authors
  1. Ainat Rogel
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  2. Jonathan Guez
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  3. Nir Getter
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  4. Eldad Keha
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  5. Tzlil Cohen
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  6. Tali Amor
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  7. Doron Todder
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Correspondence to Ainat Rogel.

Appendix

Appendix

List of the DESS side effects included in the side effects questionnaire

Side effect Side effect
Nervousness or anxiety Blurred vision
Elevated mood, feeling high Sore eyes
Irritability Uncontrollable mouth/tongue movements
Sudden worsening of mood Problems with speech or speaking clearly
Sudden outbursts of anger (‘anger attacks’) Headache
Sudden panic or anxiety attacks Increased saliva in mouth
Bouts of crying or tearfulness Dizziness, lightheadedness, or sensation of spinning (vertigo)
Agitation Nose running
Feeling unreal or detached Shortness of breath, gasping for air
Confusion or trouble concentrating Chills
Forgetfulness, memory problems Fever
Mood swings Vomiting
Trouble sleeping, insomnia Nausea
Increased dreaming or nightmares Diarrhea
Sweating more than usual Stomach cramps
Shaking, trembling Stomach bloating
Muscle tension or stiffness Unusual visual sensations (lights, colors, geometric shapes, etc.)
Muscle aches or pains Burning, numbness, tingling sensation
Restless feeling in legs Unusual sensitivity to sound
Muscle cramps, spasms, twitching Ringing or noises in the ears
Fatigue, tiredness Unusual tastes or smells
Unsteady gait or uncoordinated  

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Rogel, A., Guez, J., Getter, N. et al. Transient Adverse Side Effects During Neurofeedback Training: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Double Blind Study. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 40, 209–218 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-015-9289-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-015-9289-6

Keywords

  • Neurofeedback
  • Side effects
  • SMR
  • Upper Alpha