An Open Clinical Trial Utilizing Real-Time EEG Operant Conditioning as an Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Crack Cocaine Dependence

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the treatment outcome of males dependent on crack cocaine participating in an inpatient treatment facility in which electroencephalographic operant conditioning training (EEG-OC) was added to the treatment protocol. Eighty-seven men were assessed twelve months after completion of the EEG portion of the program. Follow-up procedures of urinalyses, self-report measures, length of residence, and scores on a measure of depression were obtained and showed significant changes after treatment. The addition of EEG-OC to crack cocaine treatment regimens may promise to be an effective intervention for treating crack cocaine abuse and increasing treatment retention.

KEYWORDS:

• EEG
• crack cocaine
• substance abuse
• biofeedback
• treatment