Effectiveness of Neurofeedback in Treating Trauma Symptomatology Among Justice-Involved Adolescents in Residential Treatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.12.4.248Keywords:
trauma, juvenile justice, youth, adolescent development, neuroscienceAbstract
Objective. Adolescents who have experienced complex psychological trauma may incur neurobiological alterations that can be linked to internalizing and externalizing behaviors, while impeding adaptive coping and resolution skills. Scientific advances in the effects of trauma and neuroplasticity in adolescence have the potential to revolutionize interventions for justice-involved youth. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) z-score neurofeedback in decreasing internalizing and externalizing behaviors, as well as trauma symptomatology among justice-involved adolescents with a history of trauma. Methods. A secondary analysis of a quasi-experiment was conducted with 41 youth assigned to receive 24 sessions of LORETA z-score neurofeedback (LZNF; n = 20) or treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 21). Results. Individual repeated measures analysis of variance (rANOVAs) reveal LZNF efficacy in decreasing dissociation-fantasy scores. Conclusion. Implications highlight the potential of expanding brain-based services within the array of treatment options for traumatized youth across child welfare and justice systems.
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