Investigation on possible behavioral changes caused by othmer's neurofeedback application using different behavioral scales and lectrophysiological parameters

Neurofeedback (NFB) methods are one of the contemporary popular research and alternative therapies. In the present research, the effects of the training through a commercially available neurofeedback system are examined on healthy subjects in terms of stress-depression scales, QIK test performance and heart rate variability. For this purpose, with a random sampling of volunteers, two groups are planned as experimental group (n=25) training with Othmer method and control group not receiving any training (n=25). In the first part as a pre-test, both study groups' participants are evaluated by STAI Form I-II and DASS to define psychological states as regards stress, depression or anxiety and also by QIK test widely used with NFB application to determine attention, concentration and impulse. Moreover, for HRV analysis, D2 derivation ECG is recorded during 15 minutes in both groups. Then, experimental group are trained by Othmer approach with 12 half-hour sessions in a month (three days a week). Results indicate that trait anxiety level decreases both within experimental group and compared to control group in terms of STAI-II Form. Also, similar findings are seen in the depression subscale of DASS. QIK test results are homogeneous among the groups and although it has some parameters statistically significant difference within both experimental and control group, the development about attention in experimental group is more efficient. According to NFB training, there is not any observed significant difference in terms of HRV analysis in the study groups. As a result of the findings from this study, Othmer method makes some significant changes on healthy volunteers, generally towards a positive direction. This study reveals the necessity of more widespread controlled experiments needed to investigate whether NFB application can be useful for the treatment of the above mentioned topics.