Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2023 Jun 24. doi: 10.1111/pcn.13574. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To assess the efficacy of a novel neurofeedback (NF) method, targeting limbic activity, to treat emotional dysregulation related to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

METHOD: We applied a NF probe targeting limbic activity using an fMRI-inspired EEG model (termed Amyg-EFP-NF) in a double-blind randomized controlled trial. A frontal alpha asymmetry probe (AAS-NF), served as active control. Twenty-seven participants diagnosed with PMDD (mean age = 33.57 years, SD = 5.67) were randomly assigned to Amyg-EFP-NF or AAS-NF interventions with a 2:1 ratio, respectively. The treatment protocol consisted of 11 NF sessions through three menstrual cycles, and a follow-up assessment 3 months thereafter. The primary outcome measure was improvement in the Revised Observer Version of the Premenstrual Tension Syndrome Rating Scale (PMTS-OR).

RESULTS: A significant group by time effect was observed for the core symptom subscale of the PMTS-OR, with significant improvement observed at follow-up for the Amyg-EFP group compared with the AAS group (F (1, 15)=4.968, p = 0.042). This finding was specifically robust for reduction in anger (F (1, 15)=22.254, p 0>.001). A significant correlation was found between learning scores and overall improvement in core symptoms (r = 0.514, p = 0.042) suggesting an association between mechanism of change and clinical improvement.

CONCLUSION: Our preliminary findings suggest that Amyg-EFP-NF may serve as an affordable and accessible non-invasive treatment option for emotional dysregulation in women suffering from PMDD. Our main limitations were the relatively small number of participants and the lack of a sham-NF placebo arm. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:37354437 | DOI:10.1111/pcn.13574