Efficacy of an Alpha Neurofeedback Training in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression of a Group of Patients: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Alexandra Glink Universitat de Girona (UdG)
  • Montserrat Planes Universitat de Girona
  • Maria Eugenia Gras Universitat de Girona

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.13.2.119

Keywords:

Alpha, neurofeedback, anxiety, depression

Abstract

Background. Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in the general population and primary care. While alpha rhythm (8–12 Hz) stimulation has been shown to reduce anxiety, its impact on broader emotional
well-being, including depressive symptoms, is less studied. Objective. This exploratory study examined the effects of alpha neurofeedback training on anxiety and depression in adults. Methods. Fourteen female participants with anxiety and depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 7) or a waitlist control group (n = 7). Psychological symptoms and alpha brainwave activity were assessed before and after the intervention. After the initial phase, the waitlist participants also received the training, forming a
quasi-experimental design. Results. Ten sessions of alpha neurofeedback significantly reduced anxiety in both experimental and quasi-experimental phases. Depressive symptoms decreased notably only in the
quasi-experimental phase, when all participants received the intervention. Alpha amplitude increased, and improvements in anxiety and depression were correlated, though not statistically significant. Conclusions. These preliminary findings suggest that alpha neurofeedback may be an effective nonpharmacological intervention to reduce anxiety and depression in adults. Results are exploratory, highlighting the need for larger, diverse samples and follow-up assessments to confirm the durability of effects.

Author Biographies

Alexandra Glink, Universitat de Girona (UdG)

Alexandra Glink Lezana (Germany, 1986). PhD in Psychology, Health, and Quality of Life from the University of Girona, awarded Excellent Cum Laude, with a doctoral thesis on the efficacy of alpha brainwave neurofeedback training in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic symptoms. She also completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Neuropsychology at Pablo de Olavide University, awarded Excellent, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Since 2017, she has been an Associate Professor in the Area of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments at the Department of Psychology, University of Girona.

She is the author of the book “Mi Cuaderno de Terapia: un cuaderno guiado de terapia con recursos psicológicos” and has presented at national and international conferences.

Since 2011, she has served as Director of the NEUROON CLINIC Psychology Center, providing psychological intervention and treatment services to patients with various psychological problems and disorders. She is a licensed General Health Psychologist accredited by the Official College of Psychologists of Girona.

She is a member of the interdisciplinary group Professionals for Health Promotion of Girona and a reviewer for the scientific journal Tempus Psicológico, published by the School of Psychology at the University of Manizales.

Selected conferences: Presented work at Terapia del Comportamiento y Medicina Conductual en la práctica clínica – Jornada XXXII and the V International Congress on Psychological, Educational, and Health Contexts.

Montserrat Planes, Universitat de Girona

Full Professor in the Area of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments.

Teaching in the Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and the Master’s in General Health Psychology.

Supervision of theses within the program in Psychology, Health, and Quality of Life.

Director of the Institute for Research on Quality of Life from 2008 to 2016.

Author of three educational textbooks.

Author of more than 70 scientific publications (37 in JCR-indexed journals) and 30 books or book chapters related to research (6 chapters in scientific books from prestigious publishers).

H-index: 11

Research periods granted by ANECA: 5 (most recent in 2020).

Maria Eugenia Gras, Universitat de Girona

PhD in Psychology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (1994). Full Professor in the Area of Methodology of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Girona. Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Psychology, Health, and Quality of Life.

Co-director of the Health Psychology Research Group at the University of Girona. Author of over one hundred scientific journal articles and supervisor of more than ten doctoral theses.

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Published

2026-06-29

How to Cite

Glink, A., Planes, M., & Gras, M. E. (2026). Efficacy of an Alpha Neurofeedback Training in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression of a Group of Patients: A Pilot Study. NeuroRegulation, 13(2), 119. https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.13.2.119

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Research Papers

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Copyright (c) 2026 Alexandra Glink, Montserrat Planes, Maria Eugenia Gras

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