Depression

Neurofeedback for depression - gentle, effective, scientifically sound

Who is Neuroflex suitable for?
For people who feel listless, exhausted or depressed – and are looking for a natural, drug-free option for support. For adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms and for adolescents who are experiencing emotional lows, withdrawal or inner emptiness.

Do you know that?
Lacking energy, even though there’s nothing really wrong with it? Thoughts are spinning, there is no joy, even everyday things seem burdensome? Neurofeedback can help to promote emotional stability and provide lasting relief from depressive symptoms – without medication.

What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a computer-based training program that supports the path to greater inner balance. When used, targeted feedback leads to improved self-regulation, which can have a positive effect on mood, motivation and enjoyment of life.

Does this help with depression?
Yes, scientific studies show that neurofeedback can significantly reduce depressive symptoms. Characteristic changes in brain activity associated with depression can be specifically influenced through regular training – often with lasting effects.

When will a change be noticeable?
Even in the initial phase, many people report an initial feeling of relief – more drive, clearer thoughts, improved sleep. As time goes on, a deeper emotional balance often sets in, combined with more calm, strength and inner stability.

What makes Neuroflex special?
Evidence-based protocols such as alpha-theta or SCP training are used, which are specifically designed to help with depressive symptoms. Thanks to the mobile neurofeedback system, training can take place flexibly in familiar surroundings – exactly where change begins.

How does the training work?

Start - initial consultation, trial training, qEEG

The first step is to set personal goals. This is followed by a qualitative EEG measurement (qEEG), on the basis of which an individual training protocol is created.

Phase 1 - Initial phase

The first 15 sessions are used to check whether neurofeedback shows the first measurable changes. The brain activity is statistically evaluated. With regular use, this phase is usually completed after two to three weeks.

Phase 2 - Deepening phase

If there are positive developments, the training is continued and intensified. This phase usually lasts 6-9 months - depending on the individual's initial situation and willingness to change. The aim is to sustainably stabilize helpful activity patterns.

Phase 3 - Transfer phase

To ensure that the changes achieved are maintained in everyday life, supplementary exercises and coaching videos support the transfer - for more emotional clarity, resilience and joie de vivre.

Studies on neurofeedback for depression

There are also a number of studies investigating the use of neurofeedback (NF) for depression – from mild depressive moods to major depression. The focus here is often on normalizing dysfunctional brain activity patterns (e.g. asymmetries in frontal areas or increased theta/beta ratios). Below you will find a brief overview as well as some exemplary studies:

Overview and central questions

Aim: To use NF to specifically regulate those EEG signals that are associated with depressive symptoms (e.g. excessive “frontal alpha asymmetry” or increased theta band activity).

Basic assumption: A better balance or normalization of brain activity can improve mood, increase drive and reduce symptoms such as brooding.

Variability of protocols: Some studies focus on reducing high theta values (theta down), others on improving alpha symmetry or increasing beta/SMR activity. Different feedback modalities (visual, auditory) are also used.

Main results and trends

Improvement of depressive symptoms: Many studies state that subjects experience a decrease in depressive mood and an increase in general well-being after NF interventions.

Sustainability: In some cases, the effects last for several weeks to months, but there is often a lack of systematic long-term follow-up studies.

Frontal asymmetry: In particular, protocols that attempt to normalize the left-right asymmetry in frontal alpha are often mentioned in the literature.

Study design: The number of subjects is often relatively small and there is a lack of placebo or sham neurofeedback control groups.

Important studies and reviews

Hammond DC. (2005). Neurofeedback treatment of depression and anxiety. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am, 14(1), 105-23.

Content: Overview of NF in various psychopathological conditions, including depression.
Result: Provides initial evidence that certain NF protocols (especially frontal) can reduce depressive symptoms. Need for meta-studies is emphasized.

Rosenfeld JP. (2000). EEG biofeedback of frontal alpha asymmetry in affective disorders. Biofeedback, 28(2), 25-27.

Content: Focuses specifically on the alpha asymmetry between the left and right frontal regions, which is often associated with depressive symptoms.
Result: Normalization of this asymmetry is associated with an improvement in mood in some cases.

Kerson C, Sherman RA, Kozlowski GP. (2009). Alpha suppression and symmetry training for generalized anxiety symptoms. Biofeedback, 37(2), 45-48.

Content: Primarily focused on anxiety disorders, but depression is mentioned as a frequent comorbid factor.
Result: Shows that the reduction of excessive frontally emphasized alpha activity is associated with a decrease in symptoms – in both anxiety and depressive mood.

Cheon EJ, Koo BH, Choi JH. (2015). The Efficacy of Neurofeedback in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: An Open Labeled Prospective Study. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback, 41(1), 103-110.

Content: Prospective study with patients suffering from major depression. Theta/beta training was carried out.
Result: Significant improvement in depressive symptoms (measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, for example) and reduced theta/beta ratio.

Paul MP. (2019). It’s not the heat, it’s the humility: The importance of moving beyond “just-so” stories in the search for mechanisms of neurofeedback. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 4(5), 409-410.

Content: Critical commentary on the general mechanism issue in neurofeedback, especially in depression and anxiety disorders.
Result: Despite promising results, there are still too few robust, large-scale RCTs with clear endpoints. The problem of placebo control and the need for better clarification of mechanisms are also emphasized.

Do you have any questions? I am here for you.

Wolfgang Maier

MA in Special Education HfH
MAS in Neuropsychology UZH

Wolfgang Maier

MA in Special Education HfH
MAS in Neuropsychology UZH

Areas of application of neurofeedback

Conclusion

The studies on neurofeedback for depression show promising trends:

Evidence of symptom reduction, partly correlated with EEG changes (e.g. more balance in frontal alpha asymmetry).

However, there is still a need for large-scale, methodologically robust studies (RCTs with a sufficiently long follow-up phase) in order to make clear statements about efficacy, mechanisms and optimal training protocols.
Overall, the findings to date indicate that neurofeedback can be considered as a complementary treatment for depression – especially in combination with psychotherapy or medication support. However, the evidence is not yet as strong and broad as for ADHD, for example.