The aim of the study is to compare the effects of the self-regulation (neurofeedback) of the fMRI signal of the prefrontal cortex in depression to ones of more conventional non-pharmacological treatment, primarily, psychotherapy.
The study was devoted to the neural, clinical, and psychological effects of the rt-fMRI neurofeedback for mild/moderate depression. Recruited unmedicated patients suffering from depression were assigned either to the fMRI neurofeedback (8 sessions of the left prefrontal cortex activity regulation) or to the active control group, i.e., a double dosage of cognitive-behavioral treatment or EEG neurofeedback (preliminary aborted). Depression symptoms were measured at baseline, at mid-treatment, and at post-treatment points. Some inventories of depression and related traits were also given. In the rt-fMRI group, self-regulation learning was also estimated by means of the fMRI signal change.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
33
Real-time fMRI neurofeedback targeting control of the left medial prefrontal cortex. Participants continuously received visual feedback on the level of activity within the 2D region of interest corrected to the whole-slice brain volume activity. Up- and downregulation blocks were switched for better control.
A combination of individual and small-group cognitive behavioral therapy by an experienced medical psychologist and a psychiatrist.
EEG neurofeedback targeting frontal alpha asymmetry index. Participants continuously received visual feedback on their frontal alpha asymmetry index. Up-regulation condition only was utilized.
Federal Reserch Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine
Novosibirsk, Russia
Change in depression symptoms severity from baseline to end-treatment
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), scores ranging 0-54, higher scores indicate more severe depression
Time frame: 4.5 months on average
Change in depression symptoms severity from baseline to mid-treatment
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), scores ranging 0-54, higher scores indicate more severe depression
Time frame: 2.5 months on average
Change in subjective depression severity, test 1 from baseline to end-treatment
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), scores ranging 0-63, higher scores indicate more severe subjective depression
Time frame: 4.5 months on average
Change in subjective depression severity, test 1 from baseline to mid-treatment
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), scores ranging 0-63, higher scores indicate more severe subjective depression
Time frame: 2.5 months on average
Change in subjective depression severity, test 2 from baseline to end-treatment
Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSRDS), scores ranging 20-80, higher scores indicate more severe subjective depression
Time frame: 4.5 months on average
Change in subjective depression severity, test 2 from baseline to mid-treatment
Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSRDS), scores ranging 20-80, higher scores indicate more severe subjective depression
Time frame: 2.5 months on average
Change in the raw estimate of subjective depression severity from baseline to end-treatment
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Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), depression subscale, scores ranging 0-21, higher scores indicate more severe subjective depression
Time frame: 4.5 months on average
Change in the raw estimate of subjective depression severity from baseline to mid-treatment
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), depression subscale, scores ranging 0-21, higher scores indicate more severe subjective depression
Time frame: 2.5 months on average