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A Methodology of Analysis for Monitoring Treatment Progression with 19-Channel Z-Score Neurofeedback (19ZNF) in a Single-Subject Design

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Abstract

19-Channel Z-Score Neurofeedback (19ZNF) is a modality using 19-electrodes with real-time normative database z-scores, suggesting effective clinical outcomes in fewer sessions than traditional neurofeedback. Thus, monitoring treatment progression and clinical outcome is necessary. The area of focus in this study was a methodology of quantitative analysis for monitoring treatment progression and clinical outcome with 19ZNF. This methodology is noted as the Sites-of-Interest, which included repeated measures analyses of variance (rANOVA) and t-tests for z-scores; it was conducted on 10 cases in a single subject design. To avoid selection bias, the 10 sample cases were randomly selected from a pool of 17 cases that met the inclusion criteria. Available client outcome measures (including self-report) are briefly discussed. The results showed 90 % of the pre-post comparisons moved in the targeted direction (z = 0) and of those, 96 % (80 % Bonferroni corrected) of the t-tests and 96 % (91 % Bonferroni corrected) of the rANOVAs were statistically significant; thus indicating a progression towards the mean in 15 or fewer 19ZNF sessions. All cases showed and reported improvement in all outcome measures (including quantitative electroencephalography assessment) at case termination.

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Notes

  1. The surface potential 19ZNF described in this work should not be confused with low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) ZNF described elsewhere in the literature. LORETA, a form of QEEG, can provide source localization, with three dimensional images, similar to those generated by fMRI data (Thatcher 2013).

  2. Definitions of the 19ZNF session-specific protocols used in these cases are as follows: Setting 1 used the Neuroguide-NF1 software, using the linked-ears montage; some with and some without the Symptom Checklist option. Setting 2 used the Neuroguide-NF1 software, using the laplacian montage (Symptom Checklist is not an option with this montage). Setting 3 used the Brainmaster-Discovery PZOK software module. All 19ZNF sessions used the Brainmaster Flashgame visual NF displays and discrete auditory reward tones.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 3200 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46222-1997, USA

    Genomary Krigbaum

  2. Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Genomary Krigbaum & Nancy L. Wigton

  3. Applied Neurothrapy Center, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

    Nancy L. Wigton

Authors
  1. Genomary Krigbaum
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  2. Nancy L. Wigton
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Correspondence to Genomary Krigbaum.

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Krigbaum, G., Wigton, N.L. A Methodology of Analysis for Monitoring Treatment Progression with 19-Channel Z-Score Neurofeedback (19ZNF) in a Single-Subject Design. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 40, 139–149 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-015-9274-0

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