Not published is a controlled outcome study at a residential treatment center where 120 patients were administered psychological and EEG tests (Smith, Sams, Sherlin, ISNR Annual Conference, 2006). A variety of neurofeedback approaches were added to the standard treatment regimen for 21 anorexic and 54 bulimic patients. All neurofeedback approaches were successful compared to a traditional treatment control group.
Results
-Significant decrease in Beck Depression Inventory-2 scores, neuroticism scores, and all Eating Disorders Inventory-2 scores.
-Significant increase in extroversion scores.
-MMPI-2 changes reveal a reduction in symptoms associated with distress.
-Reduction in dosage of psychiatric medications ranged between 25% and 65%.
-Anorexics gained weight significantly. Bulimics lost 3 lbs/month during treatment.
Follow-up
-63 of the original 75 subjects responded to 6-month follow-up.
-80-100% reduction in depression on Beck Depression Inventory.
-Depression reduction was the key factor in sustained success.
-Weight changes continued in the proper direction. Anorexics gained about 1 lb per week. Overweight bulimics lost about 3 lbs per month.
-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.
-Overall, outcomes for neurofeedback group were twice as strong as the traditional treatment controls.
