Scientific research from presentation to 13th annual Renfew conference by Gary Ames and Marvin Berman. Originally presented to the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Neurofeedback.
Peter N. Smith, Psy. D., Marvin W. Sams, ND, and Leslie Sherlin, BA.
Neurofeedback training for eating disorders:
21 anorexic and 54 bulimic at Mirasol RTC for Eating Disorders in Tucson, AZ.
All women were independently diagnosed with an eating disorder prior to admission.
Intake assessments: TOVA, MMPI-2, BDI-2, Eating Disorders Inventory-2, Eysenck Personality Inventory, Tellegen Absorption Scale, and the Marlowe Crown Test.
Right brain dysfunction with significantly increased Delta activity under cognitive challenge.
Research-designed training protocols were statistically more likely to reduce or eliminate the need for medication.
Significant decrease in Beck Depression Inv-2 scores, neuroticism scores, and all EDI-2 scores. A significant increase in extroversion scores. MMPI-2 changes reveal a reduction in symptoms associated with distress.
Anorexics gained weight significantly. Bulimics lost 3lb/mo during treatment.
All tests significant at the p>.03 level.
63 subjects responded to 6-month follow-up.
Weight changes continued in the proper direction. Anorexics gained about 1 lb per week. Overweight bulimics lost about 3 lbs per month.
80-100% reduction in depression on BDI (clinical vs. QEEG driven protocol)
Depression reduction the key factor in sustained success (Melanie Klein’s ‘depressive position’)
65% are doing well in recovery. 80% have had some resurgence of symptoms.
Maintenance of preferred weight direction was better for anorexics (p>.05) than for bulimics (p>.08), and third for overweight (N=63) at 6-months.
