Abstract
Alpha/theta (a/t) neurofeedback training has in the past successfully been used as a complementary therapeutic relaxation technique in the treatment of alcoholism. In spite of positive clinical outcomes, doubts have been cast on the protocol's specificity when compared to alternative relaxation regimes. This study investigated the basic tenet underlying the a/t training rationale, that accurate a/t feedback representation facilitates the generation of these frequency components. Two groups of healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to either (a) real contingent a/t feedback training or (b) a noncontingent mock feedback control condition. The groups were compared on measures of theta/alpha (t/a) ratios within and across training sessions, as well as activational self-report scales after each session. The contingent a/t feedback group displayed significant within-session t/a ratio increments not evident in the mock control group, as well as higher overall t/a ratios in some but not all of the training sessions. No differences were found between the groups in terms of subjective activational phenomenology, in that both groups reported significantly lower levels of activation after training sessions. The data demonstrate that irrespective of considerations of clinical relevance, accurate a/t neurofeedback effectively facilitates production of higher within-session t/a ratios than do noncontingent feedback relaxation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Broughton, R., & Hasan, J. (1995). Quantitative topographic electroencephalographic mapping during drowsiness and sleep onset. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology, 12(4), 372-386.
Brown, B. F. (1970). Recognition of aspects of consciousness through association with EEG alpha activity represented by a light signal. Psychophysiology, 6, 442-452.
Budzynski, T. H., & Stoyva, J. M. (1972). Biofeedback techniques in behavior therapy. In D. Shapiro, T. X. Barber, L.V. DiCara, J. Kamiya, N. B. Miller, & J. Stoyva (Eds.), Biofeedback and self control (pp. 437-459). Chicago: Aldine.
Egner, T. & Gruzelier, J. H. (2002). Ecological validity of neurofeedback: Modulation of slow wave EEG enhances musical performance. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Fahrion, S. L., Walters, E. D., Coyne, L., & Allen, T. (1992). Alterations in EEG amplitude, personality factors and brain electrical mapping after alpha-theta brainwave training: A controlled case study of an alcoholic in recovery. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Results, 16, 547-552.
Funderburk, W. H. (1949). Electroencephalographic studies in chronic alcoholics. EEG and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1, 369-370.
Gabrielli, W. F., Mednick, S. A., Vlovka, J., Pollack, V. E., Schulsinger, F., & Itil, T. M. (1982). Electroencephalograms in children of alcoholic fathers. Psychophysiology, 19, 404-407.
Graap, K., & Freides, D. (1998). Regarding the database for the Peniston alpha-theta EEG biofeedback protocol. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 23, 265-272.
Green, E., Green, A., & Walters, D. (1971). Voluntary control of internal states: Psychological and physiological. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1, 2-26.
Kamiya, J. (1969). Operant control of the EEG alpha rhythm and some of its reported effects on consciousness. In C. T. Tart (Ed.), Altered states of consciousness (pp. 519-529). New York: Wiley.
Kassamatsu, A., & Hirai, T. (1969). An electroencephalic study of Zen meditation (zazen). Psychologia, 12, 205-225.
Moore, J. P., Trudeau, D. L., Thuras, P. D., Rubin, Y., Stockley, H., & Dimond, T. (2000). Comparison of alpha-theta, alpha and EMG neurofeedback in the production of alpha-theta crossover and the occurrence of visualizations. Journal of Neurotherapy, 4(1), 29-42.
Passini, F. T., Watson, C. B., Dehnel, L., Herder, J., & Watkins, B. (1977). Alpha wave biofeedback therapy in alcoholics. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 33, 292-299.
Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1989). Alpha-theta brainwave training and beta endorphin levels in alcoholics. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Results, 13, 271-279.
Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1990). Alcoholic personality and alpha-theta brainwave training. Medical Psychotherapy, 2, 37-55.
Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1991). Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback for Vietnam veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Medical Psychotherapy, 4, 1-14.
Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1999). Neurofeedback in the treatment of addictive disorders. In A. Abarbarnel & J. R. Evans (Eds.), Introduction to quantitative EEG and neurofeedback (p. 346). London: Academic Press.
Peniston, E. G., Marrinan, D. A., Deming, W. A., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1993). EEG alpha-theta brainwave synchronization in Vietnam theater veteran with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse. Medical Psychotherapy: An international Journal, 6, 37-50.
Pollock, V. E., Volavka, J., Goodwin, D.W., Mednick, S. A., Gabrielli, W. F., Knop, J., and Schulsinger, F. (1983). The EEG after alcohol in men at risk for alcoholism. Archives of General Psychiatry, 40, 857-864.
Saxby, E., & Peniston, E. G. (1995). Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(5), 685-693.
Taub, E., & Rosenfeld, J. P. (1994). Is alpha /theta training the effective component of the alpha /theta therapy package for the treatment of alcoholism? Biofeedback, 22(3), 12-14.
Thayer, R. E. (1967). Measurement of activation through self-report. Psychological Reports, 20, 663-678.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Egner, T., Strawson, E. & Gruzelier, J.H. EEG Signature and Phenomenology of Alpha/theta Neurofeedback Training Versus Mock Feedback. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 27, 261–270 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021063416558
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021063416558