The Effect of Neurofeedback and Cranial Electrotherapy on Immune Function Within a Group of HIV+ Subjects: A Controlled Study

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of neurofeedback and cranial electrotherapy on a group of subjects (n = 40) with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) over a 16-week period. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups: neurofeedback only (n = 10), cranial electrotherapy only (n = 10), combined neurofeedback and cranial electrotherapy (n = 10), and a waitlist control group (n = 10). After 16-weeks, CD4 counts were significantly greater than controls for the neurofeedback group and combined group. There was no significant change in CD4 count for the cranial electrotherapy group. Results of this pilot study suggest that neurofeedback may improve immune function and warrants further investigation.

Notes

Note. Results are shown for the average scores received between groups on the SCL-90-R diagnostic questionnaire. This test, distributed by the Pearson Assessment and Information group, consists of 90 items that correlate with the measure of psychological distress in each subject.

Note. This data tabulates raw data of CD4+ lymphocyte counts for each individual during the major time points of the experiment during which plasma was extracted and biochemically analyzed (baseline, 2 months, and 4 months). Subjects are named based on the group to which they are assigned: control (C), Alpha-Stim only (AS), neurofeedback only (N), or combined neurofeedback/Alpha-Stim (NAS). The absolute differences of the counts at each assessment point are also shown, as well as the percent change of these values over the 4-month period.