Treating Post Chemotherapy Symptoms with Neurofeedback

Authors

  • Robert Earl Longo Serendipity
  • David Helfand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.3.2.92

Keywords:

Neurofeedback, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Case Study

Abstract

Treatment for cancer often involves surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. As a result of these interventions, studies have found that patients often experience prolonged side effects posttreatment. This case study focuses on a 62-year-old woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. The patient was treated with 30 sessions of neurofeedback over the course of 2 weeks. Utilizing a combination of three different neurofeedback protocols, the patient reported significant improvements in cognitive and physical functioning.

Author Biography

Robert Earl Longo, Serendipity

Robert E. Longo, MRC, LPC, NCC, BCN Associate Fellow, is in private practice specializing in QEEG Brain Mapping, Biofeedback, and Neurofeedback, he is a neurofeedback clinician with Integrative Therapies in Greensboro, NC, and a contract neurofeedback clinician at Timber Ridge Treatment Center in Gold Hill, NC where he works with sexually abusive youth. He serves as a consultant, educator, trainer, and author dedicated to working with youth and sexual abuse prevention and treatment. Rob is currently on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Neurofeedback Research (ISNR); and was previously Vice President of the Southeastern Biofeedback and Clinical Neuroscience Association (formerly the North Carolina Biofeedback Society).

References

Alvarez, J., Meyer, F. L., Granoff, D. L., &Lundy, A., (2013). The effect of EEGbiofeedback on reducing postcancer cognitive impairment. Integrative Cancer Therapies, (12)6, 475–487. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1534735413477192

Atlantis I 4x4 system [Apparatus]. Bedford, OH: BrainMaster Technologies, Inc.

Bruno, J., Hadi Hosseini, S.M., &Kesler, S. (2012). Altered resting state functional brain network topology in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer survivors. Neurobiology of Disease 48(3), 329–338. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016 /j.nbd.2012.07.009

Ghaziri, J., Tucholka, A., Larue, V., Blanchette-Sylvestre, M., Reyburn, G., Gilbert, G., … Beauregard, M. (2013). Neurofeedback training induces changes in white and gray matter. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 44(4), 265–272. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1550059413476031

Jim, H.S. L., Phillips. K.M., Chait, S., Faul, L.A., Popa, M.A., Lee, Y.-H., … Small, B.J. (2012). Meta-analysis of cognitive functioning in breast cancer survivors previously treated with standard-dose chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 30(29), 3578–3587. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200 /JCO.2011.39.5640

Kolb, N. A., Smith, A.G., Singleton, J. R., Beck, S. L., Stoddard, G. J., Brown, S., &Mooney, K. (2016). The association of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms and the risk of falling.JAMA Neurology. Advanced online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.0383

McDonald, B.C.,& Saykin, A.J. (2013). Alterations in brain structure related to breast cancer and its treatment: chemotherapy and other considerations. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 7(4), 374–387. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11682-013-9256-x

Michaud, M. (2008) Researchers detail chemotherapy’s damage to the brain. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu /news/story/1963/researchers-detail-chemotherapys-damage-to-the-brain.aspx

Nokia, M.S., Anderson, M.L., & Shors, T.J. (2012). Chemotherapy disrupts learning, neurogenesis and theta activity in the adult brain. European Journal of Neuroscience, 36(11), 3521–3530. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ejn.12007

Perouansky, M., & Hemmings, H. C. (2009). Neurotoxicity of General Anesthetics: Cause for Concern? Anesthesiology, 111(6), 1365–1371.http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181bf1d61

Prinsloo, S., Gabel, S., Lyle, R., & Cohen, L. (2014). Neuromodulation of cancer pain. Integrative Cancer Therapies,13(1), 30–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177 /1534735413477193

Raffa, R.B.,& Tallarida, R.J. (Eds.). (2010). Chemo Fog: Cancer Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive impairment. New York, NY: Springer Science and Business Media.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6306-2

Silverman, D.,& Davidson, I. (2009). Your brain after chemo: A practical guide to lifting the fog and getting back your focus. Cambridge, MA: De Capo Press.

Storrs, C. (2014). The hidden dangers of going under. Scientific American. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com /article/hidden-dangers-of-going-under/?&WT.mc_id=SA_MB_20140319

Tofthagen, C., Kip, K. E., Passmore, D., Loy, I., &Berry, D. L. (2016). Usability and acceptability of a web-based program for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Computers, Informatics, Nursing. Advanced online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000000242

University of Rochester Medical Center. (URMC; 2008). Chemotherapy's Damage to the Brain Detailed. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 31, 2014 from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/04/080422103947.htm

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2016-06-21

Issue

Section

Clinical Corner